Poets Make too Much Ado about Nothing

 

Things I Remember- Army Stories

 Things I remember about Basic Training

The building for our barracks had four or five branches or wings.  There were two or more floors and the ground floor was a covered bay like a parking garage kind of area. The arms room was under there too.  The chow hall was part of the building, maybe but definitely very nearby around the corner, etc.  We were on the 2nd floor.  I think 2nd Platoon of E co. The Black Lions.  It was an open bay with bunks and wall lockers making small cubicles for two bunks.  Drill Sergeants had an office toward the front. Latrines were toward the back.  Everything in our wall locker, which also had a side table, had to all look the same, squared away, dress right dress, in its own spot, etc.  Hats/headgear at the top also squared away.  Shoes and boots placed under the bunks, dress right dress.  Hanging uniforms/everything had to be evenly spaced in the lockers.  Meals were rushed.  In line at Parade Rest then a few minutes to eat what we could.  No talking allowed and there was no time for that anyway.

Usher in the Kingdom

 

Army Stories- Things I remember about Basic Training (BT {boot} Camp)

 Things I remember about Basic Training and AIT.  Well, there's a lot I can still remember but these may not be in order. I remember the first day went until about 1 or 2 am.  We had lots of waiting, lots of paperwork, lots of vaccines.  We got out uniforms on the last day before we went to our actual training unit.  I remember these rows of benches where we got lots of briefings.  My very first sleep in the Army was about one or two in the morning from a very busy day.  I was on the top bunk in a room filled with bunks filled with sleeping recruits.  I was very tired which I think was the intent.  We were up very early the next day to continue to inprocess to the Army.  I remember having our newly issued Duffle Bag with all our uniforms and boots.  I remember wearing the uniform for the first time so proud and how the boots were hard on the feet.  We had to mark the back of one pair at the top with white paint marker so we could alternate days of wearing each pair.  The tread on the boots resembled the tread on WW2 Jeep tires.  The Drill SGT boarded the bus and gave us the first exposure to Military intimidation.  I think his words were something like, "This is the last time you are going to make me wait on you!"  From that moment, we had to run to get where we were going, etc. I'll try to write more later.