Tracking Kali through her Army career (Moderately non-Valk)

[Jess from VA]

While everyone's getting nostalgic, I will report my memory of 2 weeks of AFOOC (AF officer orientation course; in lieu of full officer basic) for mostly JAG direct appointees, and a dozen of other assorted medical, reserve, jr officers.  58 of us.  

It involved no room inspections (lived in the Q), and was mostly classroom (a good deal of it could have been called... How to go about in public in an officer's uniform and not shame yourself or the service. )  

There was some patriotism, history, lectures from serving decorated hero's (including the last USAF MoH winner on active duty at the time), duty, honor country.

We marched on the flightline (at 95 degrees in AL) two times for two or three hours.  It was one of the funniest experiences of my whole military service.  

They just happened to have an actual serving female DI from Lackland TX going to some school there (Air University at Maxwell), and so she agreed to train us.  I had learned close order drill as a boy scout living in Navy barracks for a week with actual Navy boots (and we were not bad at the end of the week).  But I was probably the only one in the whole 58 who did.  It was a disaster and she was not pleased with our performance.  She was a real pro, squared away with tailored uniform and campaign hat, booming voice, and blond and tall (and a 10), and I felt sorry for her.

At the end of the second day, we had improved from miserable to comical.  

I managed to not flunk out.  (They later changed it to 3 weeks, and moved it to Lackland which was a very good idea)

The Air Force doesn't march much.  I never marched again, until a month from my separation, I got tagged to participate in a 3-star retirement (15AF/CC) pass in review.  We did OK, but the nitwits did not mow the parade ground, and the grass was 7-8 inches.  And it showed.   

I no longer march, and don't do much running either.   

[old2soon]

        This may offend some of y'all but here goes. Mostly Southern born cooks when I went thru Boot Camp-Basic. And you ate whatever was put on yer tray even if you hated it. I did not Like okra when I went in and to this day-fergitaboudit. After boot however food quality and Choice became the norm although choices were limited to what was on the staem tables BUT I could Pass on the okra!   And after Boot we could eat As Much as we could hold-take all you want eat what you take DO NOT WASTE FOOD. The ship on the other hand-well I ate a Lot of Hamburgers on the ship. Recombined eggs more water than eggs stale toast bacon a sharp knife played hell cuttin and recombined milk that was Never even cool. But I survived a combined total of near 2 years on The U S S Yorktown CVS 10. And I would Not trade a minute of the experience. You Learn to adjust adapt perservere and excel in your job. And I survived damn near 4 years and I'm still here. With one or two Very Minor exceptions loved all of it. The minor exceptions involed "war protestors" at the civilian airports. RIDE SAFE.

ships I was on hamburgers were call "Sliders"


         

          And the slider/burger line was 24/7 as was the chow hall when we were on Yankee Station. If you were going to meet someone either word-slider/burger-line would do. The ONE thing I NEVER had any complaints about was the Coffee. Even in Port Coffee available 24/7 and every Aviation shop on board had a coffee pot. Also those thick rich yellow sweet rolls dripping with that white sugar icing. NEVER Repeat NEVER had a stale sweet roll or stale donut Anywhere in The Navy. Also on Yankee Station the 24 36 48 hour and at times longer work days. But I drew Combat Pay for a Reason. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

...
Edit to add, and we had this interaction earlier tonight:

Kali - Found the first true dick and think hes in my unit

Me -  They'll be there, everywhere, not just in BCT and not just in the Army...  Look at it as "Learning to deal with dicks" as a training exercise
...

Not related but it reminds me. 

The first day (or more) after arrival at MCRD they kept us working in a building while the remainder of the platoon arrived over time.  We buffed floors; polished brass in multiple locations; and whatever other meaningless tasks they could find.  We stood in line until a task was identified and the first in line was called to take it.

I was on a stairwell when a D.I. turned a corner quickly coming toward me and we almost collided.  He dressed me down loudly and harshly and ended with, "If you ever run into me again I'll knock your dick stiff."

For a moment it occurred to me to say to him that it didn't happen that way.  Fortunately, something quelled that urge.  He turned out to be my platoon's Drill Instructor for the first couple of weeks.

[Serk]

Radio silence from Kali, but that's to be expected. Hoping to hear what BCT unit she's assigned to soon, should be sometime from this weekend through late next week. Wanting her out of Reception, evidently that's the worst part of the whole process... (Has it always been that way? Here's a young lady describing where Kali is right now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzDAhVpXZss  )

Wanted to give a logistical update though for those interested. We're in some Fort Leonard Wood groups that track such things and give updates, the VERY TENTATIVE subject to change theoretical date for her BCT graduation is September 30th.

This likely will change, but it's the best date we've got so far so wanted to put it out there for those that are interested.

The next bit I debated posting at all but would rather get it out there so folks can be prepared if it happens. If you wish to discuss the logic/legality/stupidity/whatever of this bit please take it to the PaM forum, I really don't want to have that debate here (Although I'll admittedly happily engage in said debate "over there") but there is talk from some "in the know" sources that by that time they might be requiring proof of COVID vaccination for family/guests to be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies.

I'd write it off as rumor, but these same sources had been saying for weeks it was coming down the pike that they would be requiring the graduating soldiers to be vaccinated or if not the soldier would not be allowed to have any friends or family attend Family Day or graduation. That order came out formally yesterday (So Kali is in scope, but she's had hers so not an issue.)

"Effective July 19, trainees and students arriving to the 43rd Adjutant General Battalion and/or respective professional military education/initial military training, must be fully vaccinated in order to invite guests to their family day activities and/or graduation ceremonies. Individuals arriving at 43rd AG BN will be briefed of this requirement while at reception and afforded the opportunity to receive a vaccination."

https://www.army.mil/article/248652/fort_leonard_wood_updates_guidance_policies_regarding_covid_19

[Skinhead]

Wow, the young private in the FLW video is obviously no longer in basic training.  A room with closets, a 'fridge, microwave, and I assume a sink.  What luxury!  That is even better than the motel like 2 man rooms we had in the barracks at LAFB, those Air Force pukes had it made!  No hot as hell/frigid wooden WW2 barracks. 

I do agree that reception was one of the worst part of my military service.  Basically, any "processing" sucks.

[Serk]

Wow, the young private in the FLW video is obviously no longer in basic training.  A room with closets, a 'fridge, microwave, and I assume a sink.  What luxury! 

I checked out some of her other videos, evidently that video was recorded while she was at her duty station as an MP in Korea...

[Skinhead]

Wow, the young private in the FLW video is obviously no longer in basic training.  A room with closets, a 'fridge, microwave, and I assume a sink.  What luxury!

I checked out some of her other videos, evidently that video was recorded while she was at her duty station as an MP in Korea...

I was an MP in Korea in '76-'77.  We had nothing like that.

[Jess from VA]

They didn't have videos back when I joined, but the (true) stories about the USAF having the best facilities were.

No enlisted men lived in open bay barracks at any of my bases.  Dorms and family housing.

I never lived in open bay barracks (except for boy scouts for a week), but when I drove down from March AFB to USMC Camp Pendleton in SoCA to spend a weekend at the Del Mar beach with my wife, the Q room I got had been converted from an open bay barracks (like a Jesuit priest's spartan room).  And the orange vinyl furniture was pre-amphibious assault era.     But spotlessly clean, and good hot water.

No celibacy was observed there though.  

[Willow]

LOL!  Her description of "Reception" sounds like it would be preferred to anyone who went thru Marine Corps receiving barracks.

Kali will do fine.  The hard part will be learning to do as she's told rather than what makes sense to her.

[old2soon]

        Boot at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1964 I believe we were the first companies in the then New brracks. All open bay open shower stalls and partions between the sit downs but No doors. Urinals no partions either. When I got to my A School-N A S Memphis Tn.-we were housed in the old pre WWII wooden barracks that were still somewhat open bay. Cubicals with 2 double bunks per cube and 2 large metal lockers-1 for uniforms the other for civvies. And more decent hours for wake up-0530-Except on Sat and Sun-we generally slept in til like 0630!   When I got to N A S North Island across the bay from San Diego the barracks were still sort of open bay but only 2 single bunks per cube. And still 2 very large lockers uniforms and civvies. I was in what was reffered to as a R A G outfit-Replacement Air Group-where I learned obout the Aircraft I'd be working on in The Fleet. Then I got orders to my outfit-V S 23-which at that time was embarked on the U S S Yorktown C V S 10 off of Nam. Long interesting journey gittin to my Squadron. And the ship was Different from Anything I had experienced up til that time. 4 high racks boot style lockers and NO CIVVIES allowed. Tween 3800 3900 men on a ship orginally designed for 2200 2300 men as I understood it at that time. Sea duty is Not easy specially on an Aircraft Carrier. Well I've prattled on long nuff fer now! RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

the USAF having the best facilities

After her year or so of language training in Monterey California, she'll go for a few months of signals intelligence training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, which she's been hearing VERY good things about...

(And Daddy's liking that that base is less than 300 miles from home, so I should be able to ride out, hang with her a bit, spend the night and ride home the next day... That won't be practical while she's in California!)

LOL!  Her description of "Reception" sounds like it would be preferred to anyone who went thru Marine Corps receiving barracks.

Kali will do fine.  The hard part will be learning to do as she's told rather than what makes sense to her.

No yellow footprints for one thing...

Learning to do what she's told and not what makes sense is one issue I fear she'll have, but a bigger one is learning to not talk. At all. Unless spoken to. She's such a social butterfly that's gonna be tough for her.

But yeah..... She'll do fine. Daddy, maybe not so much however....  

[Willow]

...
Learning to do what she's told and not what makes sense is one issue I fear she'll have, but a bigger one is learning to not talk. At all. Unless spoken to. She's such a social butterfly that's gonna be tough for her.

But yeah..... She'll do fine. Daddy, maybe not so much however....  

Yes, you are correct on all points.  (If only we could be there to whisper in her ear.)

[Jess from VA]

The essential issue I see in boot is:   You want to do as well as you can and excel, you would naturally like to compete well against your bootmates, while still observing teamwork and team spirit at all times.  But when you do this, you are going to stand out.

But you don't want to stand out because it draws the attention and the eventual enthusiasm of the drill instructors.  You want to blend in and not make waves and get used as a training example as little as possible.

But I think top performers over time likely do draw drill instructor attention, and harassment.  They can abuse top performers and expect them to stand up to it well and set the example for the other recruits on how to take it and keep going.

But that is the challenge, I think.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

She’s a smart girl. She’s going to figure it out just fine. There will be plenty of times for her to “socialize”. Determining when and where is the only issue. Learning to keep quiet when told to do stupid stuff will be the hard part. As far as competition, she already has her MOS assigned. The competition will be between those who don’t. I think for most it’s the simple things that trip them up. Learning to eat quickly was very hard for some. Getting your butt out of bed and ready was another. Putting your ego to the side got the best of many.

[Willow]

The essential issue I see in boot is:   You want to do as well as you can and excel, you would naturally like to compete well against your bootmates, while still observing teamwork and team spirit at all times.  But when you do this, you are going to stand out.

But you don't want to stand out because it draws the attention and the eventual enthusiasm of the drill instructors.  You want to blend in and not make waves and get used as a training example as little as possible.

But I think top performers over time likely do draw drill instructor attention, and harassment.  They can abuse top performers and expect them to stand up to it well and set the example for the other recruits on how to take it and keep going.

But that is the challenge, I think.   

She's already at her boot camp so she's beyond advising.  Were she to take advice it should be from one who has experienced boot camp.

The bad advice is mostly that about blending in.  Boot camp is not unlike life challenges in general.  The participant should make every effort to excel doing the best he or she can do.  The unusual challenge is learning that the boot does not have the option of resisting or arguing orders that don't make sense. 

[Skinhead]

LOL!  Her description of "Reception" sounds like it would be preferred to anyone who went thru Marine Corps receiving barracks.

Kali will do fine.  The hard part will be learning to do as she's told rather than what makes sense to her.

I agree.

[Skinhead]

When I was in BT, the prior service and exceptional performers were usually made squad leaders ( I never had to be concerned with that).  The problem with being a squad leader was, when some one in your squad screwed up, the squad leader was punished.  I believe this tactic was used by the DI's so that the squad leader, not the DI made believers out of the sad sacks. 

[John Schmidt]

I'also following Kali's movement through BCT and beyond. My USAF boot camp was nearly 65 yrs. ago, what a joke it turned out to be, I had worked harder in a couple summer camps in the Boy Scouts. I don't know about the other branches, but the USAF started you out with a week of testing...something I made up my mind I would do my best on since it controlled your life for the rest of your career. Many of the new troops got tired of it all and just buzzed through, myself and a couple others took our time and did quite well, scoring in the mid to upper 90 percentile across five categories. Doing so had a silver lining so to speak...we didn't have to pull KP but were voluntold to take part in a research project for a young hottie that was working on her Phd. In the end, we three were given a choice of any area we wanted to work in as long as it didn't require a college degree or special training such as a doctor, etc. 

It was January in Texas, and our "Taj Mahal" in Lackland AFB were WWII wooden barracks. It snowed one night and we had snow on the floor in many areas the next morning...a sign of things to come at my next station in Denver. That also was the day for the firing range. So while laying on your belly, you had sand blowing in one eye and snow/rain/sleet in the other...another time I felt it to my advantage to do my best regardless. Having spent a lot of time hunting & fishing as a kid paid off, scoring quite well by day's end. You all know about the gas chamber, what a lovely way to spend a day...right up there with your first run through the shot line. That one separated the men from the boys as well, and yes...the usual "square needle in the left testicle" myth was running amok(or amuck if you prefer). To their benefit, those administering the shots played along with it by having a couple rather large needles laying on a try next to the ones to be used. If they thought a real sucker was coming throug the line, they made a big show of looking at a list of names, then the name tag, pick up the oversized needle and a small file which was used to "work" the end of the point. By that time they usually had a recruit out cold at their feet.  But through it all, as expected...we all survived, even after some got caught sneaking out one night to visit the WAF barracks two buildings over. Another story for another time, probably better told in person. 

[carolinarider09]

I know this is not directly in line with the title but there are some similar comments here about bootcamps. 

My experience was maybe a little unique.  In the early 60's I traveled by Greyhound bus from Myrtle Beach, SC to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron NM.

I forget the travel time, maybe seven days there and seven back.  But all of our overnight stays were at military bases.  We stayed at mostly Army bases but it included at least one Navy base and one Air Force base. 

It was very informative.  I was only 16 at the time.  We got our meals (dinner and breakfast) and slept on post.  It is the reason I really wanted to go into the U.S. Navy later in life when I had to make that decision.  They had the best food and beds. 

Anyway, bootcamp (USN) for me was basically uneventful.  Winter of 1967 at Great Lakes.  Hung some clothes we had to wash on the lines outside for whatever reason and they, of course, froze.  The little strings we had to tie them on the line with in "square knots" were hard to get off when we had to change them out once a week.  They were just there for show. 

I was destined for the Electronics Tech school there at Great Lakes and then Nuke School (Bainbridge, MD), so I knew where I was going but did not know I'd be going to the USS Wasp (CVS-13) for a year between ET school and Nuke school. 

However, it. was the first time I ever saw any Marijuana, when one of the recruits got a letter with four taped inside.  He showed them to us all.   

Being on a surface ship, if only for just a year had its advantages.  I got to see Great Britain, Portugal, Holland, Norway, and Denmark.  Places I'd never get a chance to see on the Sub. 

Would I do it again, you are dared right I would.  I would change nothing. 

Some time in the February/March 1969, Boston (if I remember correctly).

[Jess from VA]

I had one of those great Navy pea coats I bought out of a Mil surplus store in undergrad.  

MI winters required a great coat.  I had a friend at school who had no decent coat (and no money), so since it was a backup to the new one my folks bought me (and would be missed), I gave him the pea coat.  (the things you remember)

I never made it to Philmont in the BSA, and I always wanted to go.  We had some great regional scouting camps in MI, and I got to go to those.

D-BAR-A SCOUT RANCH   https://michiganscouting.org/outdooradventures/properties/d-bar-a-scout-ranch/

Rode horses, shot 22s and bow and arrows, swam, canoed, and had great fun.

First time I was ever 2weeks away from home.     
 

[old2soon]

        I beieve they were called clothes stops. In those at the time new barracks I'm mentioned we had drying rooms. I went thru The Lakes in Feb 1964. The cold didn't bother me but those ol boys from the South damn near died first time it got to minus readings. And those minus readings stuck around fer a spell. And I M H O the Only thing warmer than a Navy Peacoat at that time was a Navy foul weather jacket. Remeber rolling that Sea Bag and tying it to the end of the bunk Very Tightly? Been a day or 3 But this thread helpin me recall some expereinces of my time in Uniform. And much like John-some tales are better related in person!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

One time at Malmstsrom AFB MT (missile base) in winter, they loaned me one of those arctic weather parkas.  They made me give it back when I left. 

My standard USAF tench-coat with liner was not cutting it. 

Without the arctic parka hood, I would have lost an ear or two. 

[Serk]

Just got the quick call, she's been assigned her BCT regiment, Bravo Company 2nd Battalion 10th Infantry, the Blackfoots... (Wonder if they'll be forced to change their logo/mascot?)



We should be getting a mailing address shortly. (I've managed to figure out what I THINK it is but wanna wait just to be sure.)

She sounded good, voice was wavering a little but she wasn't uncontrollably sobbing like some parents have reported.

[scooperhsd]

Keep in mind the whole purpose of Boot Camp is tear them down and build them back up in the image the service wants them. Usually should mean shake off the bad charactersitics and polish the good ones.

If she wasn't crying, she either has already done it, or (my belief) she is strong enough to sail on through. Or, they may not have gotten to her breaking point yet. In any event - once you have an address, a letter from home will do wonders to cheer her up.

[Oldfishguy]

Keep in mind the whole purpose of Boot Camp is tear them down and build them back up in the image the service wants them. Usually should mean shake off the bad charactersitics and polish the good ones.

If she wasn't crying, she either has already done it, or (my belief) she is strong enough to sail on through. Or, they may not have gotten to her breaking point yet. In any event - once you have an address, a letter from home will do wonders to cheer her up.

Yes, and yes.

I had a subscription to my hometown newspaper for the last couple of years while overseas; that did a lot to ground me in to what would be reality in due time.  And yes, order the paper hard copy version.  It is simply great to get mail when one is homesick.  So, put pen to paper and just speak of normal things going on.  

[Serk]

The bad advice is mostly that about blending in.  Boot camp is not unlike life challenges in general.  The participant should make every effort to excel doing the best he or she can do.  The unusual challenge is learning that the boot does not have the option of resisting or arguing orders that don't make sense. 

It is funny how different people can go through the same process and come to polar opposite views on how to handle it. Early on in Kali's process of deciding Army I had two Army veteran friends, both about the same age (~5 years older than me, so younglings by VRCC standards) talk to her. The first advised her to volunteer for anything, take leadership roles, be a standout, do her absolute best at every single task presented to her.

The second advised her to try to blend in, not stand out, do as told but don't be the first or best, but definitely don't be the last or worst either. His point being that after basic odds of ever seeing or working with any of these people ever again were virtually nil so just get through basic, then when you're in the REAL Army shine to your full potential.

(And before anyone bad talks the person giving opinion #2 that was also the same friend that, unbidden, hopped in his truck and drove from south of Dallas, got a trailer and drove to Ohio to get Kali and I home after Kali's unscheduled dismount. His commentary was far from being out of laziness or lack of concern.)

As to which path Kali is taking, only she knows. I suspect she's doing her absolute best, she was raised to always do so and usually does (Unless it involves cleaning her room or her car.)




Also, some people asked me earlier if it would be possible to write her once an address was known. The address is now known, I don't wanna post it publicly but if anyone wishes to write her please feel free to PM me and I'll give you the address. Please though, letters only, care packages, candy, snacks, anything other than letters is majorly verboten, to the level that even her practical joke loving daddy is sticking to the rules and sending words on paper only...

[threevalks]

Since us old Army folks are reminiscing. Joe, as far as Cadence goes what is the next line? This is a mild one, but doubtful they would use it in todays world.

A little bird,

[Serk]

Got our first batch of letters from her in today's mail! Nothing Earth shattering or news, they were from last Thursday and Friday, before she'd shipped to her BCT regiment and was just sitting in idle in Reception.

Overall very upbeat and doing well, typical drama and personal conflicts but also making friends. She's happy and surprised that her boots fit REALLY nice, and they're the same brand (Rocky Mountain) that the NRA gave her a pair of when she became a life member...

They evidently keep trying to serve some bastardized Mexican food with a yankee accent.... Like seriously, street tacos with FLOUR tortillas?!?!?! Turkey in a breakfast quesadilla? WTH?!?!?!

(And yeah, if that's the worst of her problems, she's doing well!)

[Willow]

Since us old Army folks are reminiscing. Joe, as far as Cadence goes what is the next line? This is a mild one, but doubtful they would use it in todays world.

A little bird,

We had cadence calls in Marine Corps boot camp.

The one that comes most often to memory is,

"I don't know but I've been told
Eskimo ..."

[carolinarider09]

Think we had that one in Boot Camp at Great Lakes and it was cold there (I was there in January)

[Serk]

Since us old Army folks are reminiscing. Joe, as far as Cadence goes what is the next line? This is a mild one, but doubtful they would use it in todays world.

A little bird,

We had cadence calls in Marine Corps boot camp.

The one that comes most often to memory is,

"I don't know but I've been told
Eskimo ..."

...made famous to us civvies by R Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sk-Zh-19l0

[old2soon]

Since us old Army folks are reminiscing. Joe, as far as Cadence goes what is the next line? This is a mild one, but doubtful they would use it in todays world.

A little bird,

We had cadence calls in Marine Corps boot camp.

The one that comes most often to memory is,

"I don't know but I've been told
Eskimo ..."

             Yup Squids used that un too!  And even IF I could recall another couple of em they fer sure and fer certaian could NOT be repeated here.  RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

For those interested in attending, in person or remotely, her graduation from BCT, we received the Commander's Letter today with details on it, as well as much other information.

[Sweet Cheeks]

I will be happy to write to Kali.  Please PM her address.

Thanks!

[Serk]

I will be happy to write to Kali.  Please PM her address.

Thanks!

PM Sent... Thanks!

[old2soon]

...
Edit to add, and we had this interaction earlier tonight:

Kali - Found the first true dick and think hes in my unit

Me -  They'll be there, everywhere, not just in BCT and not just in the Army...  Look at it as "Learning to deal with dicks" as a training exercise
...

Not related but it reminds me. 

The first day (or more) after arrival at MCRD they kept us working in a building while the remainder of the platoon arrived over time.  We buffed floors; polished brass in multiple locations; and whatever other meaningless tasks they could find.  We stood in line until a task was identified and the first in line was called to take it.

I was on a stairwell when a D.I. turned a corner quickly coming toward me and we almost collided.  He dressed me down loudly and harshly and ended with, "If you ever run into me again I'll knock your dick stiff."

For a moment it occurred to me to say to him that it didn't happen that way.  Fortunately, something quelled that urge.  He turned out to be my platoon's Drill Instructor for the first couple of weeks.

        Can't recall exactly I was either exiting the chow hall or sick bay and a 2nd class P O-E 5-thought I did Not salute him fast enough. Dropped me in the slush for a quick 25 push ups and brought me back to attention. recruit he bellowed you ever Not salute me or other P Os fast enough I'll thump you so hard on yer gourd It'll break your shorlaces. Suffice to say my shoelaces never got broke from a thump to the gourd! RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

It seems that 32 of the 60 recruits in Kali's company have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in quarantine now.

This is unofficial, but it's been reported from multiple family members of said recruits that have been in communication with them.

Apparently the recruits in quarantine are given their phones while in quarantine, and as we haven't heard a peep from Kali we're assuming she's not gotten COVID yet.

Unsure how this will effect the overall boot camp cycle, graduation date, etc...

[Jess from VA]

Unless you hear from her, I would assume she is continuing in a reduced class. 

On another forum, letter from recruit son at Fort Lost in the Woods was posted:

Honestly, this training has been too easy. I think it's turned to garbage by someone or other in recent days. I did more pushups in the civilian world than I do here, and the ACFT it's too easy. It's the dang females that are now here in the Army, all the standards have to be dropped which means the males don't even have to be fit to pass basic training. When I first got here I could do pull ups and ran the 2 mile in 15:30. 5 weeks later. I can't do pullups and I run a 16:00 2 mile. I can do more leg tucks though, whoop-dee-do. crap's dumb."

It was later pointed out that Army basic, is just basic.  Recruits going into combat arms get further challenged in AIT.

   

[Serk]

On another forum

I shoulda known you were an ARFCOM'er... 

[old2soon]

         My my How times have changed. As an E-1 in boot in 1964 I was paid $83.20 a month. According to what I was able to look up Kali as an E-1 will be drawing $1620.00 a month. Course 3 hots and a cot were/are included.  And if my recollector be functional I believe so much a month was taken out for Uniforms But that may Not be correct. But in 1964 I was able to throw the gallopin dominoes and play poker or pinochle for money. Played pinochle with an E-5 that took no prisoners while playing that game. What amazed or P Od some was his uncanny ability to call the last 2 or 3 hands what cards they were and who had what. Even with a fresh deck(s). And our Gals experience(s) IS just Begining.  RIDE SAFE.