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Kingston,Mi | The haircut routine was similar in the Army, I had my long hair cut prior to enlistment and had shaved my mustache, fewer items to trigger the Drill Sgt.
Having to tell a D.I. I had failed a first year R.O.T.C. class was enough embarrassment.
During initial orientation the First Sgt. said " occasionally we, the training cadre, will use the phrase (insert profanity here) to get your attention and everyone should stop until the actual subject is identified, any questions?", a lone hand was raised. The First Sgt. acknowledge the soldier, and he objected to the phrase. The First Sgt, said that the training cadre would not use that phrase but would use this phrase, again the hand was raised, objection acknowledged, agreement among the cadre that that phrase was retired but that this phrase would be used, again with the objection and agreement that it was off limits. Finally the First Sgt. said "if you hear one of the cadre yell , Hey TURD, stop and wait until the solder is identified", again the hand was raised and the objection explained, the First Sgt. then ask if the solder was a college graduate. He answered that he was. The First Sgt then ask if he was aware of what an acronym was, the solder replied that he knew the definition. The First Sgt the explained that the term T.U.R.D. was an acronym for TRAINEE UNDER RIDGED DISAPLINE. No more objection from the assembled group.
During this same orientation, the First Sgt. called up one solder, and explained that he was the only one who could complain as he was the only one of 200 trainees who was a draftee, the rest of us were volunteers.
Started my current mustache the day of graduation from basic training 52 years and 10 months ago. | |
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REFLECTION ON JAN.20TH 1972
