Basic Training Story #4115

Categories: ASMDSS, Basic Training Story

I graduated from high school in 1962 then college in 1966 in Louisiana. In April 1967 a nice,  little old lady at my local draft board told me that I was scheduled for the drafted in the next levy. I decided to enlist after being accepted for an OCS (Arty) class. In June 67 I started basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.

Like most guys I was shocked the first 24 hours of in processing. The first day of actual training started with PT for the entire cycle of a couple of companies. Some way I was in the back of the formation and was trying my best to follow the DI demonstrating / leading the exercises that was probably 50-75 yards in front of my location on a platform.

Before long I was completely lost like everyone around me. I’m not sure want I said that was so funny but one of the DI near me wasn’t impressed. Before I knew what had happened I was ‘monkeying walking’ to the DI leading the exercises. As soon as I got to the platform I realized that the world is very small and that my boot camp experience was going to be a lot harder than I expected.

Looking up at the Drill Sgt I  exclaimed “L______ B_________”? He replied “that’s Drill Sgt B_________ to you, [my name]”. In high school I had had only one fight, you guessed it, with L______ B________ over a young lady we both liked. Let say she decided she liked me better than L_____ B________.

Needless to say that Drill Sgt B________ took a special interest in me and made my 8 weeks extra special. He only succeeded in getting me in better shape for OCS.