The other day we offered the following lead-in to a blog post titled “What’s the Best Advice You Ever Got From Your Military Dad?“:

Fathers are known to offer advice, professional life tips if you will — whether pithy or verbose — that will stay with you, and help guide you, for the rest of your life.

Now civilian dads are one thing. But military dads? They’re a whole other breed, man.

Please share with us a bit (or bits) or advice you received from your military dad. You can write them in the comments on our Supporting Our Veterans Facebook page or in the comment section below.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

… we’ll share the best entries in an upcoming post on our blog AND our Facebook audience of millions …

We’re a blog of our word, and as such, we present to you the best responses to the query.

Here they are (editor’s note: nothing was changed — i.e. grammar, spelling, etc.):

The Rule of the Three !S’s “Don’t do stupid things, don’t go to stupid places, don’t hang out with stupid people.”
Whenever I got into trouble he would make me tell him what ‘S’ I broke and reminds me of them before leaving for a night out. – Devon H.

I have neither the time or inclination to differentiate between the incompetent and the unfortunate!! In other words…no whining allowed. And yes my dad was a Marine 🙂 – Lisa B.

Never let someone else tell you that you can’t achieve something. Its not the distance that’s important, but the destination. – Keith T.

Raised by a Navy vet. “Arrive 5 minutes early, give your word and keep it.” Also ” Don’t ever let me catch you marrying a reservist.” – Kristen S.

Coming from a 24 year Army retired LTC: “Join the Air Force or the Navy, you won’t have to sleep in the mud and you’ll eat hot food.” Went Navy, great advice. – Louis A.

A neat bed represents a mans character. A man who doesnt start his day with an order will end his day in disorder. A man in disorder accomplishes nothing. A man who accomplishes nothing is a boy. – Andrew P.

Just tell the truth. Even if you think it’s gonna hurt because a lie will hurt twice as bad sooner or later.
Oh, and “No excuses”. – Morgan P.

You get in the shower, get wet, turn off the water, wash off, rinse, and get out in 5 minutes! If you weren’t out in 5, the water was shut off!! – Marty P.

Never start a fight, but if someone else starts one with you, you’d darn well better finish it. – Carol T.

Be where you are supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, when you are supposed to be doing it. – Bill D.

Always be aware of your surroundings, take care of your feet, and always be prepared for the unexpected #DaughterofaVietnamVet – Michelle M.

Don’t let people or things live in your head rent free. – Jeanne B.

“Integrity is everything.” And “Don’t dip your pen in company ink”. – Brett S.

Better to tell all right away and take it like a man then hide it and add to your troybles – Tim D.

When your body is tired tell your body to shut up, because you are in charge. – Oli N.

Measure twice, cut once. Trust but verify. – Lucas B.

If you’re on time you’re late. – Melissa D.

Read your history books. – Calvin L.

You don’t poop because you have to, you poop because you like to. – Drew A.

“Illegitimate non Carborundum” – Marquita L.

Never pass up an opportunity to use the head (bathroom.) – Bob P.