7 Jan 69

[graygun]

It's the day I went into active duty in the Army. I enlisted in Nov 68 but had to wait until the next cycle started...A-6-2,Ft. Bragg.

recollections:


Recruiter drove two of us to Ft. Holabird in Baltimore. The other guy got a broken arm in basic.
sworn in for the second time
bus to Ft Bragg...a black guy had a bottle in his coat and was drunk when we got to the reception station...
recall,first night,a black buck sgt telling us to stop ____ing around in the barracks
A trainee had hot air blowing in his face...top bunk,close to outlet...eventually fell asleep,I guess.

I was 19 and it was better than working at a gas station.

 

[Fox Mike]

Brings back memories. I was just about 10 years before you on entrance. Joined 29 Dec 59 and left for basic, at Ft Knox, on 7 Feb 60. Left Friendship airport and flew to Pittsburgh. Then we flew back to Friendship. Were there a while then flew to Louisville, KY. Bused from there to the reception center. A buck Sgt met us and started yelling for us to hurry off the bus. Took us to a barrack and handed us sheets and a blanket to make the bed. We couldn't eat till all the bunks were made "properly". I had some previous experience with 'military bunk making' so after he saw my bunk, I was assigned to instruct (make the bunk for the ones that had a problem) so we could finally eat. At 0200 we finally were fed (they said it was beef stew though I couldn't identify any of the ingredients) and allowed to go to bed. The beginning of 'zero' week.