{"id":7173,"date":"2009-11-19T23:19:34","date_gmt":"2009-11-20T05:19:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artofmanliness.com\/?p=7173"},"modified":"2026-01-06T12:12:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:12:45","slug":"how-to-make-a-bed-you-can-bounce-a-quarter-off-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/how-to-make-a-bed-you-can-bounce-a-quarter-off-of\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Bed You Can Bounce a Quarter Off Of"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Illustration<\/p>\n

It’s a scene familiar to any fan of war movies: old sarge is pacing the new recruits’ barracks, heels clicking on the floor, his eyes bulging as he inspects the soldiers’ bunks.  Tension fills the air; the men break out in a sweat. He checks to make sure each man’s uniform is just right, his boots are shined, and his clothes have been neatly folded in his locker. But the moment of truth comes when the sergeant pulls a quarter from his pocket and bounces it off the bed to see just how tightly it’s made. If it doesn\u2019t bounce, the soldier usually has to make it again and do 50 push-ups as penance.<\/p>\n

Why Make Your Bed<\/h3>\n

The military drills its recruits over and over again in the skill of bed-making. The men have to do it just right, and they have to do it in a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n

It’s easy to wonder why the heck the military would make such a big deal about how a soldier’s bed is made. But bunk and locker drills are simply a means to an end. And that end is developing a soldier’s discipline and attention to even the smallest details. Plus, it ensures that order is maintained in the barracks, which allows the enlisted man to concentrate on more important matters.<\/p>\n

Discipline and order are both things that can benefit civilians, too. According to my friend Gretchen Ruben, author of the Happiness Project<\/em>, making your bed neatly and tightly every day can actually increase your overall happiness.<\/a> Men looking to get their lives together often want to tackle big goals while the rest of their life is a disorganized mess. Get the little things in your life under control, and the sense of confidence and satisfaction you’ll feel will help you move on the big things. So if you\u2019re looking to move your life out of neutral<\/a>, making your bed first thing in the morning might be the best way to start.<\/p>\n

How to Make Your Bed Like a Soldier<\/h3>\n

Alright. So mom\/sarge\/crazy camp counselor was right. Making your bed every day is important. But if you\u2019re going to do something, you might as well do it right. Today we\u2019re going to show you how to make a bed like a soldier based on a guide from a WWII army base called Camp Crowder<\/a>. Atten-hut! Let\u2019s get down to business soldier!<\/p>\n

Spread the bottom sheet. <\/strong>Most people today use a set of sheets that includes a fitted bottom sheet. You simply spread the sheet and fit the corners around the mattress. If you don\u2019t have fitted sheets because you\u2019re old school, you have a few more steps to take. But the pay off is a tightness that you can never achieve with a fitted sheet.<\/p>\n

Stand at the foot of the bed and spread the sheet evenly across it. Once you have the sheet spread evenly, you now must employ the bed making secret known by soldiers and nurses across the world.<\/p>\n

The secret to a tight bed: The Hospital Corner. <\/strong>The hospital corner is the bread and butter of making a neat bed. Many people are intimidated by hospital corners, but with some practice you\u2019ll be able to make them in a snap.<\/p>\n

\"Steps<\/p>\n