--- title: "What was the dumbest thing you ever did in uniform?" description: "What’s something you did in the military that was so dumb, looking back now you feel proud of it? Let us know!" date: "2021-05-11" modified: "2021-05-11" authors: - name: "David Roza" job_title: "YouTube Writer/Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/david-roza/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/culture/dumb-military-stories/" categories: - "Culture" - "Mandatory Fun" tags: - "announcements" --- # What was the dumbest thing you ever did in uniform? ![]() *(Sept. 20, 2019) Stewie, the U.S. Navy’s environmental mascot, poses with an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” today at the 2019 Oceana Air show. (Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gary A Prill)* Defending the country is a serious business, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned covering the military the past couple years, it’s that it can be pretty silly and sometimes, even downright dumb. Whether it’s a[ massive Nerf battle]() in the barracks, [drunkenly turning on the fire suppression system ]()inside of a hangar, [dressing up as Ricky Bobby]() on the flight line, or buying a[ real live fire truck]() for the boys at Lejeune, there are a ton of amazingly dumb service stories out there, and we want to hear yours. Like flavors of chocolate or genres of music, there are several different kinds of dumb in the military. There’s the “oh these orders are so dumb,” or “this is the dumbest speech I’ve ever heard,” or “this is the best dumb idea I’ve ever had.” What’s something you did in the military that was so dumb, looking back now you feel proud of it? Perhaps you can tell us the story of how Pvt. Smith jumped off the balcony with a poncho parachute and *actually* flew like a bird. Or it could be that time you did the following: - used “[PIKLRIK]()” as your radio callsign - boarded a C-17 while dressed[ as a minion]() from the movie *Despicable Me* - named your battle tank ‘[Barbie Dreamhouse]()’ - fought a full-on battle royale with[ cardboard swords and suits]() of armor - walked the deck of an active aircraft carrier while[ dressed as a Star Wars droid]() - mowed the lawn …[ with shovels]() Other words that encompass this type of story are “stupid awesome” or “amazingly dumb.” Just good clean fun where nobody got hurt, got investigated or got sent to jail, but everybody got a good laugh or eye-roll in the process. Do you have a dumb story you would like to share? Please let us know in the comments section below! Let us know what happened, and also what it means to you now when you look back on it. Keep in mind that I’m just a dumb civilian, so when in doubt, dumb it down! If you couldn’t tell already, I’m a big fan of dumb. Fire away, we’re excited to hear it! [***If the comments section is not appearing below, please click this link to refresh the page.***]() ***Related: [5 ways the military is an absurdist organization]()*** ## Author David Roza writes scripts about military news for the Task & Purpose YouTube channel, and he also writes articles about military pay, benefits, health care, child care, culture, and other personnel topics on a freelance basis. Roza previously covered the Air Force and Space Force for Task & Purpose from 2019 to 2023 and for Air & Space Forces Magazine from 2023 to 2025. In the course of that reporting, he has set off a ‘Hollywood explosion’ with Air Force bomb techs, turned the (unarmed) keys of a nuclear missile bunker, hovered over the Nevada desert on an Air Force rescue helicopter, and got the best sleep of his life on the floor of a C-17 over the central Pacific. Share tips and story ideas with David at [david.roza@teamrecurrent.io]()