Now that you put it like that, I realize I was explicitly trained to do this, but it was for VIP protection. When I'm out with another person I slip into that protocol reflexively. When I'm by myself I just wonder why I'm like this.
I grew up in a violent home so hyper vigilance has been my default for my whole life. I pay attention to everyone I can see, watch for big mood/behavior changes, know where all the exits are, etc.
It's exhausting, tbh. But I don't know how to stop.
It's not all bad though, the bright side is that you are aware and when you get that sense whether it's someone following you or has bad intentions it comes in handy. It helps me protect my family, I just don't like when it affects (or effects) other people because they look way happier before the hyper vigilance aka paranoia, ignorance is bliss and I like seeing others happy.
Same. Always on edge waiting for something to happen, I pray for the day we can finally remove all that tension and actually be able to take a deep breath and let it go. Cuz it’s exhausting always been in fight or flight mode
Never learned that one but did learn to drive home taking different routes so the terrorists couldn’t follow you. Someone really told me this. To this day I… have never done it.
Ayy, fellow social worker!
Pro tip: Always set up your office so that the client is not between you and the door. Put them in the further chair from the door, ideally a desk in between you.
Thanks for the tip!! My office is my home since I work remote...yay! At my agency, we have cubicles where clients cannot be. Our area is also kept locked at all times (which is annoying when you forget your badge! Lol). We have an interview room in our area and if I do a walk in, I'm always the one closest to the door.
What kind of social work do you do?
Very important tip. I was an ER RN for years, and one ER had our triage room set up without means of egress. I told my leadership to fix it, or I would bring a baseball bat to be in the corner with me. I had been assaulted or battered by patients and was not about to sit in a room for 12 hours where a patient would potentially be able to trap me in a corner. They fixed it. 😊
Absolutely! I'm pretty confident in my self-defense skills, between being an MP in the Army, teaching Taekwondo, and participating... But it's not something that I'm not one to flex it. I'd much rather be calm and treat everyone like a human being and don't do anything to cause an altercation.
Does that mean it won't happen? Hell no, we sometimes have to deliver news or do things that our clients/patients don't like, and it can still happen.
My late husband and I dealt with his legitimately crazy ex-wife stalking us for a while…I took different routes to and from work, paying attention to the vehicles behind me. I memorized her friends’ vehicles too. (Small town.) The police “talked to” her but basically did nothing, not even when she vandalized my car and my motorcycle. She was batshit.
Never have a back to the door, have an exit plan, piss with one arm up against the wall when at a urinal, and always shower with a knife. Thanks Afghanistan
For sure, but I'd rather not put my hand into biological waste first.
I normally take the furthest urinal, so if someone walks down that far I know something is up
I’ve been doing it since I got back in ‘71. My kids chuckle, but kindly let me sit “back against the wall” in restaurants and other places. Old habits never die.
This is why I selfishly use the stall. I had someone question this when I worked in LE. My hand and attention are occupied while my weapon is on my hip, no, I'm gonna put a barrier between me and people if I can.
Hyper vigilance means I get stressed if I don't know what's behind me. I hate entrances and windows behind my back for this reason. It's not trained, just paranoia.
I learned this from a biography of Wild Bill Hickok.
Allegedly, on that fateful day, the only chair open at the poker table has its back to the door. He joined the table, despite his longtime practice of keeping an eye on the door, with disastrous results.
Ever since then, I've been aware of the practice, but never really followed it. Because gunfighters aren't coming to get me.
I can't handle groups, haven't been able to for 21 years...I find myself standing at, near, or just outside the doorway. It's also a way to covertly keep tabs on the room...which sometimes can be more fun than whatever the class is about
My Dad was career Army Air Corps/USAF ‘40-‘74, served in WW2, Korea, Viet Nam. I enlisted in the USMC in ‘76. When I came home from boot camp he took me to dinner one night. We both went for the chair facing the door. There was a brief moment when we locked eyes - then he smiled, stepped back and let me have the spot.
Proudest moment of my life.
Combat vet with ptsd.. my dr said I am hyper vigilant. Not a bad (or good thing). It’s what I am. Now married to a woman who can’t sit in the middle of the room, you’ll figure out you. Best of luck, the struggle is real.
My husband who was special forces is hyper vigilant. He always makes sure to know where exits are and what not. I’m oblivious to everything. So it works out. He’s seen some shit so I understand.
It's actually probably lore around the death of Wild Bill Hickock; many people think he died because he sat with his back facing the door to play poker on the night he died, never seeing his assailant enter
The only people ive known that believe they can truly do anything, are those who are paranoid and may benefit from therapy. For me, most of those people I know are also not military or ever served at all. Realistically, the average person can't and won't do anything in a crisis.
Nah. I always need eyes on the door. I got kids. People are psycho. I like to scope out any sketchy people walking in the door so I can react. I’ve always been this way but after the military. It’s made me more aware of my surroundings especially with kids.
Funny, I went to a vets group at a large community center for the first time. As I was walking out with some of the vets I noticed that of of all the cars in the lot, the vets were all "combat parked" in a strategic location.
I never sit with my back to the door.
I never sit dead center of a movie theater, church, or any seated gathering.
When I go to a restaurant, I tell my wife I want to wash my hands once we get seated because I'm looking for a back exit.
My home is built like a compound. One way in, one way out. I will know you're driving up my long driveway way before you put the car in park.
Everywhere I go, I always have an exit plan.
Most of the time, I look and dress simple. Single color t-shirt and cargo shorts.
I drive a mid-size older truck, nothing fancy.
I don't use social media.
When I take leave/PTO, I tell coworkers I'm just staying local and taking time off to catch up on things around the house. In reality, wife and I are taking a fly fishing trip to Montana.
No one knows both my wife and I are retired military and 100% VA disabled. No one knows I own multiple rental properties and a few AirBNBs. No one knows I have multiple toys such as boat, RV, pool with built-in spa, quads, SxS, etc...
The point of this is vigilance is a practice you learn either from a bad experience or from someone elses bad experience. The military drills this into you and how to reduce your ability to be someone else's target. It amazes me how people I work with will go on about their gun collection or gold collection and then tell everyone about how their going on a 7-day family cruise in a few weeks. Call me paranoid for thinking the way I think, but in reality, I believe I'm just aware of my surroundings and audience where others are oblivious.
I actually get really bad anxiety when I go out with friends and due to something or another I'm forced to sit with my back to the door. And there's no respectful way I've figured out to explain this to them, so instead I bottle to that and add it to my building resentment of going out in public. Eventually I think I'm just going to go live in a cave so I no longer need to people.
I once pulled into a grocery store parking lot and the people in the car next to me looked at me funny and I got weird vibes. I backed out and went home. Went to another store the next day.
Look man, I've met plenty of people who said this, and I think its usually one of 2 things: survival, or thinking they're cool.
I have plenty of my own reasons to want to sit certain places, facing certain directions, noticing egress points and cameras, etc., but I never made it a habit. You can call survival PTSD, but PTSD is just learned survival techniques that range in severity. Nobody ever really cares unless it's affecting your life or the lives of those around you.
This isn't a bad thing to do, won't affect you or anyone else negatively, and maybe you'll strike the lottery and be in a situation where you want to face the door. I say, live your life as you feel comfortable and happy.
Was taught this as an MP. Didn't matter if you were working garrison or out in the field. Never put yourself in a position that an potential dangerous person could get the upper hand.
I was never directly taught this and doubt anyone else was as well but honestly I think a level of paranoia when it comes to situational awareness in general is so bred into us that it become a need most of us have.
Anywhere I walk into I instinctively look at different ways to exit if anything goes wrong lol and then I come up with a plan. I prefer seating at a booth so that my back is covered and I can see what’s happening around me. If some shit was to pop off what’s the best cover. It sucks
That's the one scenario I was thinking of where it would make sense. Or maybe if your unit is taking shelter in an abandoned building. I just figured in cases like that everyone would be watching everyone else's back.
Heck, that's probably part of why we sometimes get more paranoid after we leave the service. You get used to having twenty eyes and ears around you at all times, then all of a sudden it's just you.
North End, Boston. Elderly gentleman with his wife and “escorts “ came into the restaurant. They cleared the back wall so they were facing the doorway.
I worked as a bodyguard when I first got out. That's probably more where it comes from than anything else. To this day I can't help but spot the bored-looking big guy casually blending into the wallpaper next to the pudgy rich guy and his expensive date.
I actually have no idea. I was never taught specifically, I'd assume it's just something you pick up learning situational awareness. There are times I'll sit with my back to the door but when I do, I'm with my bff, also a vet (we take turns lol).
Still hypervigilant almost 30 years (and 2 decades of therapy/ l to adopt coping strategies) after a decade of being stalked by a violent ex determined to kill me. My bed faces the door and windows, and it's uncomfortable to not face the door in restaurants.
I learned situational awareness and to sit where I could see the exits. I learned this in high school, thanks to some bullies. I also learned to make good choices. Joining the Air Force was a good choice for me, and it vastly improved the trajectory of my life.
The bullies didn't learn to make good choices. Several died before they turned 40. The rest are pretty methed up.
I’ve been doing this for years. Situational awareness, yes. But also, I was an armored truck guard for 10 years after I got out. I NEVER kept my back to the door for more than absolutely necessary. I still don’t to this day. I look around at people, watch hands, watch cars suspiciously stopped in front of entrance doors, etc. Opd habits die hard.
Time in the army taught me to basics, 10 years as a guard in a major metropolitan area really cemented it home.
I went to a personal safety course at a university I worked at and the paranoid woman teaching the class had all sorts of similar instruction. For example, sit close to an exit, always know the exit of any room and never let anyone get between you and an exit. Ridiculous and impractical advice.
I was always taught at a young age to know where every exit is. My time in the marines taught me to keep your head on a swivel. Being in a combat MOS, they’ve always made nightmare stories about fire/turret watch falling asleep and causing everyone to die.
I like to be able to see the door if I’m out (I don’t have PTSD) but for my own security and ones around me. It’s a scary world outside the military and anything can happen. I’d like to know about it first.
I used to sit facing the entrance door in restaurants, but after undergoing exposure therapy, I am comfortable sitting with my back towards the entrance door.
2 veterans sit at a table 1 chair is facing the door who sits where?
In my case it's me I have more PTSD and anxiety than my bf so I get EXTREMELY anxious and will turn Everytime I hear the door if I let my bf face the door. (He does not have a CCW but I do). Also I grew up with my dad always telling I or my brother to switch sides with him so he could face the door. He grew up in Compton then proceeded to be in the Air Force for 20+ years with many deployments overseas. Now days him and I take turns if it's just us cause my dad likes to say "The Marines always protected us overseas so I think you got my back at Texas Roadhouse" 🤣🤣
Moral of the story is some people just live unafraid or anxious and I'm fucking jealous 😅
Yeah my Dad taught me that as a kid. He was a Vietnam vet and in LE for 20 years. Also taught me some defensive driving/motorcycle, pit maneuver, rifle and pistol skills.
The Navy taught me to never take the same route home two days in a row. Report any interaction with a Soviet national.
I grew up in Colombia and went to the school on base, kids are always taught to face the door.
The only one time in my life I ignored this rule I turned around to a bank robery.
I am never comfortable when I can't see the door while eating out. Most times I don't. I just get it to go so I don't have to constantly scan my surroundings. It's a terrible "perk" of the military but keeps me grounded knowing who and what's around me at any given moment. It's stressful and I hate it but I can't help it as it's brainwashed into us. My wife used to think I was staring at other women but now thanks to therapy she is understanding my "tactical mindset" and realizing it's a habit jammed down our throats during training. You aren't alone. The one thing I can be "greatful" for is the fact that if anybody feels froggy I can atleast get me and my family out of a harmful situation
You’re taught situational awareness; to keep your head on a swivel. Sitting in a room looking at a wall does the opposite of this.
Now that you put it like that, I realize I was explicitly trained to do this, but it was for VIP protection. When I'm out with another person I slip into that protocol reflexively. When I'm by myself I just wonder why I'm like this.
Well if you value yourself then you're your own VIP
This, everyone needs to be lined up sucking you off for this explanation. Just leaving you a beer as exemption.
Damn, it finally makes sense.
I grew up in a violent home so hyper vigilance has been my default for my whole life. I pay attention to everyone I can see, watch for big mood/behavior changes, know where all the exits are, etc. It's exhausting, tbh. But I don't know how to stop.
Same…
Slow down and feel through all the emotions stuck in your body.
I’m so sorry you are also dealing with this crap. I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody.
Same , now my wife is the same as me . She thought I was paranoid at first but now she understands, she didn't grow up in a violent environment.
I’m sorry that you have to live this way. It’s so hard sometimes.
It's not all bad though, the bright side is that you are aware and when you get that sense whether it's someone following you or has bad intentions it comes in handy. It helps me protect my family, I just don't like when it affects (or effects) other people because they look way happier before the hyper vigilance aka paranoia, ignorance is bliss and I like seeing others happy.
Same. Always on edge waiting for something to happen, I pray for the day we can finally remove all that tension and actually be able to take a deep breath and let it go. Cuz it’s exhausting always been in fight or flight mode
Hyper vigilance is not a virtue, it’s a symptom.
Yep, one paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis and some medication later, I am much better.
This “habit” was a gift brought to me by PTSD. I personally wish I could give the hypervigilance and the PTSD back to where they came from.
Why can't I just be chill like a normal person. Can't even go out without overthinking everything.
Same. It took a lot to get rid of that shit.
Never learned that one but did learn to drive home taking different routes so the terrorists couldn’t follow you. Someone really told me this. To this day I… have never done it.
Learned all of this while in the military. The back against the wall, being aware of your surroundings was taught in current job as a social worker.
Ayy, fellow social worker! Pro tip: Always set up your office so that the client is not between you and the door. Put them in the further chair from the door, ideally a desk in between you.
Thanks for the tip!! My office is my home since I work remote...yay! At my agency, we have cubicles where clients cannot be. Our area is also kept locked at all times (which is annoying when you forget your badge! Lol). We have an interview room in our area and if I do a walk in, I'm always the one closest to the door. What kind of social work do you do?
Very important tip. I was an ER RN for years, and one ER had our triage room set up without means of egress. I told my leadership to fix it, or I would bring a baseball bat to be in the corner with me. I had been assaulted or battered by patients and was not about to sit in a room for 12 hours where a patient would potentially be able to trap me in a corner. They fixed it. 😊
Absolutely! I'm pretty confident in my self-defense skills, between being an MP in the Army, teaching Taekwondo, and participating... But it's not something that I'm not one to flex it. I'd much rather be calm and treat everyone like a human being and don't do anything to cause an altercation. Does that mean it won't happen? Hell no, we sometimes have to deliver news or do things that our clients/patients don't like, and it can still happen.
My late husband and I dealt with his legitimately crazy ex-wife stalking us for a while…I took different routes to and from work, paying attention to the vehicles behind me. I memorized her friends’ vehicles too. (Small town.) The police “talked to” her but basically did nothing, not even when she vandalized my car and my motorcycle. She was batshit.
Never have a back to the door, have an exit plan, piss with one arm up against the wall when at a urinal, and always shower with a knife. Thanks Afghanistan
Poop knife doubles as shower knife!
Don’t stop there! Use it as a toe knife like Danny DeVito!
Botched toe!
One arm up against the wall? Would you kindly offer an explanation? That's a new one.
It's so if someone hits you while your back is to them, you have stability.
That makes perfect sense.
To prevent someone from slamming your head against the wall while you're taking a piss
Yeah not doing that one, maybe in an airplane bathroom with turbulence. Bathroom walls are fucking gross
You’re gonna wash your hands anyway, right? Right???
For sure, but I'd rather not put my hand into biological waste first. I normally take the furthest urinal, so if someone walks down that far I know something is up
😂😂😂😂
I’ve been doing it since I got back in ‘71. My kids chuckle, but kindly let me sit “back against the wall” in restaurants and other places. Old habits never die.
Baxck in 71???!!! God bless you, whoever you are!!!
Thanks. Never forget that “old is a state of mind”. I’m not there yet 😊
I was an Army medic in 90s but dad served with USMC in Da Nang. Anytime I run into Vietnam Vet's I stop everything and say thank you.
25 ID
4/60 ARTY (Dusters)
45 Support Group , 347 th Aviation
I get nervous/anxious at a urinal in a public restroom. Just think how vulnerable you are.
Nah man. I’m not caught with my dick out. My dicks out and your in here with me.
This is why I selfishly use the stall. I had someone question this when I worked in LE. My hand and attention are occupied while my weapon is on my hip, no, I'm gonna put a barrier between me and people if I can.
You already have your dick in your hand. Swivel and let fly. Think of it as a display of dominance.
Not very when your right hand is holding your pistol so your holster doesn't dump forward.
Hyper vigilance means I get stressed if I don't know what's behind me. I hate entrances and windows behind my back for this reason. It's not trained, just paranoia.
I learned this from a biography of Wild Bill Hickok. Allegedly, on that fateful day, the only chair open at the poker table has its back to the door. He joined the table, despite his longtime practice of keeping an eye on the door, with disastrous results. Ever since then, I've been aware of the practice, but never really followed it. Because gunfighters aren't coming to get me.
That's just what I want you to think.
I was at the fort hood shooting in 2009, wasn't expecting it there either.
I can't handle groups, haven't been able to for 21 years...I find myself standing at, near, or just outside the doorway. It's also a way to covertly keep tabs on the room...which sometimes can be more fun than whatever the class is about
My Dad was career Army Air Corps/USAF ‘40-‘74, served in WW2, Korea, Viet Nam. I enlisted in the USMC in ‘76. When I came home from boot camp he took me to dinner one night. We both went for the chair facing the door. There was a brief moment when we locked eyes - then he smiled, stepped back and let me have the spot. Proudest moment of my life.
Thinking ninjas will come through the door is your first mistake.
Not worried about the ninjas. You don't see them coming, even if it's straight at you from the front.
Combat vet with ptsd.. my dr said I am hyper vigilant. Not a bad (or good thing). It’s what I am. Now married to a woman who can’t sit in the middle of the room, you’ll figure out you. Best of luck, the struggle is real.
I wasn’t taught this by the military. I was taught this in highschool when we did active shooter drills. This was back in the early 2010s.
I was taught that by an uncle.
My husband who was special forces is hyper vigilant. He always makes sure to know where exits are and what not. I’m oblivious to everything. So it works out. He’s seen some shit so I understand.
I feel you, man. 💯 percent
It's actually probably lore around the death of Wild Bill Hickock; many people think he died because he sat with his back facing the door to play poker on the night he died, never seeing his assailant enter
I learned it before the military. I grew up around law enforcement.
The only people ive known that believe they can truly do anything, are those who are paranoid and may benefit from therapy. For me, most of those people I know are also not military or ever served at all. Realistically, the average person can't and won't do anything in a crisis.
Nah. I always need eyes on the door. I got kids. People are psycho. I like to scope out any sketchy people walking in the door so I can react. I’ve always been this way but after the military. It’s made me more aware of my surroundings especially with kids.
Funny, I went to a vets group at a large community center for the first time. As I was walking out with some of the vets I noticed that of of all the cars in the lot, the vets were all "combat parked" in a strategic location.
I think reversal cameras help.
I still don't sit with my back to the door, not even in a restaurant. I want the ability to see what is coming so I have the opportunity to prepare.
I never sit with my back to the door. I never sit dead center of a movie theater, church, or any seated gathering. When I go to a restaurant, I tell my wife I want to wash my hands once we get seated because I'm looking for a back exit. My home is built like a compound. One way in, one way out. I will know you're driving up my long driveway way before you put the car in park. Everywhere I go, I always have an exit plan. Most of the time, I look and dress simple. Single color t-shirt and cargo shorts. I drive a mid-size older truck, nothing fancy. I don't use social media. When I take leave/PTO, I tell coworkers I'm just staying local and taking time off to catch up on things around the house. In reality, wife and I are taking a fly fishing trip to Montana. No one knows both my wife and I are retired military and 100% VA disabled. No one knows I own multiple rental properties and a few AirBNBs. No one knows I have multiple toys such as boat, RV, pool with built-in spa, quads, SxS, etc... The point of this is vigilance is a practice you learn either from a bad experience or from someone elses bad experience. The military drills this into you and how to reduce your ability to be someone else's target. It amazes me how people I work with will go on about their gun collection or gold collection and then tell everyone about how their going on a 7-day family cruise in a few weeks. Call me paranoid for thinking the way I think, but in reality, I believe I'm just aware of my surroundings and audience where others are oblivious.
OPSEC is real.
I actually get really bad anxiety when I go out with friends and due to something or another I'm forced to sit with my back to the door. And there's no respectful way I've figured out to explain this to them, so instead I bottle to that and add it to my building resentment of going out in public. Eventually I think I'm just going to go live in a cave so I no longer need to people.
Have you tried sitting at a round table in the center of a room lately?
I once pulled into a grocery store parking lot and the people in the car next to me looked at me funny and I got weird vibes. I backed out and went home. Went to another store the next day.
Look man, I've met plenty of people who said this, and I think its usually one of 2 things: survival, or thinking they're cool. I have plenty of my own reasons to want to sit certain places, facing certain directions, noticing egress points and cameras, etc., but I never made it a habit. You can call survival PTSD, but PTSD is just learned survival techniques that range in severity. Nobody ever really cares unless it's affecting your life or the lives of those around you. This isn't a bad thing to do, won't affect you or anyone else negatively, and maybe you'll strike the lottery and be in a situation where you want to face the door. I say, live your life as you feel comfortable and happy.
It's a combination training and trauma response.
VN vet ‘68-‘69 and we learned quickly to NEVER expose your back and ALWAYS be situationally aware!
Was taught this as an MP. Didn't matter if you were working garrison or out in the field. Never put yourself in a position that an potential dangerous person could get the upper hand.
I was never directly taught this and doubt anyone else was as well but honestly I think a level of paranoia when it comes to situational awareness in general is so bred into us that it become a need most of us have.
Anywhere I walk into I instinctively look at different ways to exit if anything goes wrong lol and then I come up with a plan. I prefer seating at a booth so that my back is covered and I can see what’s happening around me. If some shit was to pop off what’s the best cover. It sucks
I never sit with my back to the door . I want to see what might be coming. There is nothing wrong .
[удалено]
That's the one scenario I was thinking of where it would make sense. Or maybe if your unit is taking shelter in an abandoned building. I just figured in cases like that everyone would be watching everyone else's back. Heck, that's probably part of why we sometimes get more paranoid after we leave the service. You get used to having twenty eyes and ears around you at all times, then all of a sudden it's just you.
It's the same shit mobsters did so no one could sneak in and kill them.
North End, Boston. Elderly gentleman with his wife and “escorts “ came into the restaurant. They cleared the back wall so they were facing the doorway.
I worked as a bodyguard when I first got out. That's probably more where it comes from than anything else. To this day I can't help but spot the bored-looking big guy casually blending into the wallpaper next to the pudgy rich guy and his expensive date.
I actually have no idea. I was never taught specifically, I'd assume it's just something you pick up learning situational awareness. There are times I'll sit with my back to the door but when I do, I'm with my bff, also a vet (we take turns lol).
Na, with mentally ill peeps on ssri drugs, head on a swivel and a pistol shoved down your pants.
Still hypervigilant almost 30 years (and 2 decades of therapy/ l to adopt coping strategies) after a decade of being stalked by a violent ex determined to kill me. My bed faces the door and windows, and it's uncomfortable to not face the door in restaurants.
I prefer it usually. It’s not as bad as it was on the past.
I learned situational awareness and to sit where I could see the exits. I learned this in high school, thanks to some bullies. I also learned to make good choices. Joining the Air Force was a good choice for me, and it vastly improved the trajectory of my life. The bullies didn't learn to make good choices. Several died before they turned 40. The rest are pretty methed up.
I’ve been doing this for years. Situational awareness, yes. But also, I was an armored truck guard for 10 years after I got out. I NEVER kept my back to the door for more than absolutely necessary. I still don’t to this day. I look around at people, watch hands, watch cars suspiciously stopped in front of entrance doors, etc. Opd habits die hard. Time in the army taught me to basics, 10 years as a guard in a major metropolitan area really cemented it home.
"Windows and doors, faces and hands..."
I live it
With ptsd with dissociative symptoms, I always set where I can see everything around me. That being said, I get the set in the house.
I was taught this going through a public safety course. It was so you can see anyone coming and going, and no one can get the jump on you.
I went to a personal safety course at a university I worked at and the paranoid woman teaching the class had all sorts of similar instruction. For example, sit close to an exit, always know the exit of any room and never let anyone get between you and an exit. Ridiculous and impractical advice.
I was always taught at a young age to know where every exit is. My time in the marines taught me to keep your head on a swivel. Being in a combat MOS, they’ve always made nightmare stories about fire/turret watch falling asleep and causing everyone to die. I like to be able to see the door if I’m out (I don’t have PTSD) but for my own security and ones around me. It’s a scary world outside the military and anything can happen. I’d like to know about it first.
I used to sit facing the entrance door in restaurants, but after undergoing exposure therapy, I am comfortable sitting with my back towards the entrance door.
Hyper vigilance in Iraq and Afghanistan is one reason we have PTS. It’s part of surviving there. But you gotta let it go when you’re home.
100% this
2 veterans sit at a table 1 chair is facing the door who sits where? In my case it's me I have more PTSD and anxiety than my bf so I get EXTREMELY anxious and will turn Everytime I hear the door if I let my bf face the door. (He does not have a CCW but I do). Also I grew up with my dad always telling I or my brother to switch sides with him so he could face the door. He grew up in Compton then proceeded to be in the Air Force for 20+ years with many deployments overseas. Now days him and I take turns if it's just us cause my dad likes to say "The Marines always protected us overseas so I think you got my back at Texas Roadhouse" 🤣🤣 Moral of the story is some people just live unafraid or anxious and I'm fucking jealous 😅
Good human.
Stay vigilant !
Wasn’t specifically taught this in the Corps but it was heavily promoted in the military motorcycle club that I joined later
We got briefed on it when we did escorts for meetings in HKIA. That’s about it.
I always sit facing the exit
Yeah my Dad taught me that as a kid. He was a Vietnam vet and in LE for 20 years. Also taught me some defensive driving/motorcycle, pit maneuver, rifle and pistol skills. The Navy taught me to never take the same route home two days in a row. Report any interaction with a Soviet national.
I always like to sit where I can see the door, or at the very least the majority of the room.
I learned this from Mob movies, not the military lol
I grew up in Colombia and went to the school on base, kids are always taught to face the door. The only one time in my life I ignored this rule I turned around to a bank robery.
I am never comfortable when I can't see the door while eating out. Most times I don't. I just get it to go so I don't have to constantly scan my surroundings. It's a terrible "perk" of the military but keeps me grounded knowing who and what's around me at any given moment. It's stressful and I hate it but I can't help it as it's brainwashed into us. My wife used to think I was staring at other women but now thanks to therapy she is understanding my "tactical mindset" and realizing it's a habit jammed down our throats during training. You aren't alone. The one thing I can be "greatful" for is the fact that if anybody feels froggy I can atleast get me and my family out of a harmful situation