Speaking as one of the people who was most recently a newbie, though has now spammed, I mean posted, his way to 1,000 posts I actually based advice primarily upon avatar. That's right, avatar. There was someone, I have no clue who anymore, but they had a large image of Palpy for an avatar. They never went beyond a rank or corporal, but due to the avatar I assumed they were a veteran. That could just be me being stupid as usual, but that's my two cents on the matter.