6 ways to make the most of your short-timer days

Most troops take it easy and try to finish up the last things on their checklists before leaving. For most of us, the final weeks of our military service meant it was time to clean gear, say farewells, and hand off duties to the next guy. Many other short-timers, however, mentally ETS well before crossing the finish line.

The last couple of weeks in the military are often treated as a gentle glide back into the civilian world, but some guys take it to the next level and nosedive into laziness while still wearing their uniform. If you're looking to make the most of your lazy days, use these tips:

Just say you're at CIF or you're cleaning your gear for CIF. It's enough of a pain in the ass that everyone will just accept it.

(Photo by Spc. Devona Felgar)

Do some next-level skating

This is one of the few moments in your military career where it's perfectly acceptable to focus on you and what you'll be doing for yourself after you're out. In other words, treat yo' self.

Sham, skate, and be lazy. After a long career in the service, you've earned it.

Then again, reminding staff duty that you've been gone is fun, too...

(Photo by Chief warrant Officer Daniel McGowan)

Remind everyone of your ETS date

There's a practical aspect to this. Nobody wants to get calls from staff duty asking why you're not there when you've been out for months.

So, be loud about it. Everyone in the unit should know that you're almost at the finish line — and that they shouldn't expect sh*t from you.

No more barracks haircuts for you!

(U.S. Army photo)

Start growing that civilian hairstyle

You can't start growing that sick, veteran-AF beard just yet, but you can start growing your hair out.

It still needs to be within regulations, but nobody will bother getting in your face if it's just barely acceptable.

Let some other unfortunate soul handle cleaning connexes.

(U.S. Army)

Hot potato every one of your responsibilities

Before you're gone, you'll need to successfully hand off your responsibilities to your replacement. What better way to get them used to your workflow than by giving them all of your work?

Divert all work the expected of you from here on out. If you think about it, you're really just helping the replacement.

Dental is unsurprisingly expensive in the real world. Get as much done as you can while you're in.

(Photo by 1st Lt. Rashard Coaxum)

Spend all of your time at health and dental

One of the biggest regrets among veterans is not logging every single service-related pain and injury. If you get a nagging ailment it verified while you're still in, it's much easier to get taken care of later.

We know — this is a bit of legitimate advice in an otherwise humorous article. If you're determined to simply waste time, swing by the aid station all day, every day.

The only hard part of the classes is staying awake.

(Photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Kocin)

Actually go to out-briefing classes

The classes can be helpful and you will need to go for accountability reasons, but it's entirely on you how much you care.

Put in enough effort and maybe take a few extra classes, just to be safe. Your leadership won't want to stop you from trying to improve your odds in the civilian world.