While it might look like obsessive behavior to an outsider, the meticulous maintenance that retired military veterans camping put into their equipment is actually a mix of deeply ingrained habits, practical wisdom and stress relief. 

In the military, equipment maintenance isn’t optional, it’s a matter of survival and discipline. Service members are trained to care for our equipment. Survival often depends on planning and special attention given to camping gear, rifles and vehicles because equipment failure in the field has (severe consequences).