Yes GEO it is a mind set and a way of life after awhile . You can train yourself to be observant and more aware of your surroundings you will find that the guys coming back from a tour in Afghanistan or Iraq were in the observation mode nearly 100% of the time . But then they were living in the high alert mode as well . I learned to in the service as well . but you don't have to be in condition red or orange to be observant and aware of your surroundings . There is some reading that can be done that explains it well and teaches you exercises to learn how with out being on high alert but being aware of your surroundings one book that comes to mind is Warrior Mind Set . There are others also a lot of martial arts deal with it as well as meditation . Meditation isn't about religion but it is found to be practiced in several religions . Learning to let yourself be focused and in the present isn't always as easy as it sounds but once it clicks the first time for you , you will say well duh what have I been doing all this time . Some of the writing by a guy named Chris Sajnog about shooting deals with learning to be in the present here and now . ( Navy Seal shooting ) he was a Navy Seal and Sniper instructor . The j is pronounced like an i so his name is pronounced Sainog it used to be Chief Sajnog but now I think it's Dr. Sajnog since he retired and went back to school . At any rate it is a good thing to be aware of what is going on around us especially in our world and the increase of people wishing to do harm to others . Take note of your way in and out even out of doors while we are enjoying our lives .