Yes SIR
The rude awakenings in the morning continue for the next month, only “SHINE” was now added to the “S”s in the litany of expletives designed to get our attention and blood boiling. This was in the days when “smokers” were not second class citizens and “butt cans” were attached to columns in the barracks for those addicted. Breaks in our outdoor activities would always be accompanied by “smokem if you gottem.”
All of our belongings were now stored in our personal “foot locker” or 12 inches of hanger space against the wall. Our socks had to be rolled in a specific way and underwear folded just so and placed in designated spots in the locker. The beds had to be made up with “hospital corners” and the top blanket so tight that the inspector could toss a quarter on it and it would bounce. Inspections were made often and about once a week we had the dreaded “white glove” inspection. Wearing a white glove the DI would reach into strange and unusual places and if it came out with dust or dirt of any kind we were severely reprimanded for our filthy ways.
Physical exercises designed to change our puny bodies into human dynamos capable of performing amazing feats were demanded of us throughout the day. Extra “pushups” would be used as punishment for minor infractions “Gimme 20!”
Although I didn’t think some of my comrades should be trusted with weapons, nevertheless we were introduced to the M1 carbine (rifle). We learned how to take it apart and clean it and how to drill with it and ultimately went to the firing range where they allowed us to use real bullets and test our skill at trying to hit targets WAY far away. We got ratings for accuracy; the best were “marksmen,” mine was “barn doors are safe at any distance.”
Making formations and marching was another fun activity. At first I thought the DI had a speech impediment when the words “forward march” came out sounding “foow…haa!” but later learned that most marching commands were severely shortened. My favorite moves were “left or right oblique” (you can look it up).
We learned to show respect and who to say “Sir” to (everyone at any rank above us). How and who to salute (officers). We were introduced to the Uniform Code of Military Justice with particular attention to the things we might do that would cause us to end up in jail, or worse. Also, we had to memorize and be able to quote the list of ten or eleven “General Orders.” The DI would quiz us “Snodgrass! – General Order number seven?” “Sir, ‘To talk to no one except in the line of duty,’ sir.” “Gimme 10 Snodgrass!” “Ain’t that the right answer, Sir?” “Yeah, so, what’s your point?” Such is the way of the world. Are you “paranoid” if “they” are really out to get you?
All of our belongings were now stored in our personal “foot locker” or 12 inches of hanger space against the wall. Our socks had to be rolled in a specific way and underwear folded just so and placed in designated spots in the locker. The beds had to be made up with “hospital corners” and the top blanket so tight that the inspector could toss a quarter on it and it would bounce. Inspections were made often and about once a week we had the dreaded “white glove” inspection. Wearing a white glove the DI would reach into strange and unusual places and if it came out with dust or dirt of any kind we were severely reprimanded for our filthy ways.
Physical exercises designed to change our puny bodies into human dynamos capable of performing amazing feats were demanded of us throughout the day. Extra “pushups” would be used as punishment for minor infractions “Gimme 20!”
Although I didn’t think some of my comrades should be trusted with weapons, nevertheless we were introduced to the M1 carbine (rifle). We learned how to take it apart and clean it and how to drill with it and ultimately went to the firing range where they allowed us to use real bullets and test our skill at trying to hit targets WAY far away. We got ratings for accuracy; the best were “marksmen,” mine was “barn doors are safe at any distance.”
Making formations and marching was another fun activity. At first I thought the DI had a speech impediment when the words “forward march” came out sounding “foow…haa!” but later learned that most marching commands were severely shortened. My favorite moves were “left or right oblique” (you can look it up).
We learned to show respect and who to say “Sir” to (everyone at any rank above us). How and who to salute (officers). We were introduced to the Uniform Code of Military Justice with particular attention to the things we might do that would cause us to end up in jail, or worse. Also, we had to memorize and be able to quote the list of ten or eleven “General Orders.” The DI would quiz us “Snodgrass! – General Order number seven?” “Sir, ‘To talk to no one except in the line of duty,’ sir.” “Gimme 10 Snodgrass!” “Ain’t that the right answer, Sir?” “Yeah, so, what’s your point?” Such is the way of the world. Are you “paranoid” if “they” are really out to get you?
posted by revsnodgrass | 6:59 AM
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