BASIC TRAINING VIETNAM ERA Part 3
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- Do you remember when you took basic training?
This is a 3-part glimpse of army basic combat training during the Vietnam era. In those days, the military draft was still around, and every young man had to serve unless he got a deferment. I recall that my company was a lot tougher than the one shown here, but the activities that the soldiers engage in were about the same.
This was filmed at Fort Ord, CA, but because of the massive buildup for the Vietnam War, basic training was actually carried on at a great number of military installations throughout the U.S. After graduation from basic training, many men received a two-week leave, and then were transferred to another post or unit for advanced training (AIT).
Based on a remark in an unedited version of this program, the final day of this unit's training cycle was on a Friday, September 23rd. That might mean it was filmed in 1966.
Perhaps this video will bring back some memories for you !
I served in the US Army from 2009-2012. To all Vietnam veterans...thank you for YOUR service!
Jun 1968 - April 1975. 6 years, 11 months, 24 days. Basic ft Lewis, AIT ft ord. A year in Cu Chi province. Became a DS in late 1971 ft ord. Ran into my big brother who was also a DS not knowing he was there, while out with the troops for morning PT. Great surprise. Loved the job, hated the long hours! Got t see western Europe too. Former SSG. BROTHER retired CSM.
1968- Ft Lewis, C-5-1, CU-CHI 242nd muleskinners, Chinooks. Then to Ft. Benning and done in Apr 1971.
For me it was Sand Hill, Ft. Benning, Ga. D-4-1 on 10 Mar 1966. Then Military Police School (95B MOS) Ft. Gordon, Ga. Then Frankfurt, Germany. The experience of a life time. One of the best things that ever happened to me. Taught me a lot about life and myself. Watching these videos brought back good memories.
A LONG time ago, this sure brings back memories. I remember our Drill Sgt. last words were to look [we were in formation] at the man to our left, then right, and say goodbye as we would never see them again. For most of us he was right. I don't know why, but I thought about that for quite a while.
Thank you to all that served! I appreciate your service.
A 19 year old draftee August of '68 ,Fort Ord, A_3_1.
Served in Nam, 1969.
Thanks for the video. Uncanny, today's armed forces trainees run in athletic shoes.
The way it was.
Thanks for your comment and for your service!
I was at A-1-1 at the same time! 4th if div Viet Nam '69.............
I was there then also H-1-1 and Vietnam Feb ‘69 - Feb 70. I’ll be 75 later this year.
What was it like for you
@@chloekit4861 Ft Ord sucked, Viet Nam sucked worse and the economy sucked as well when I got out! But I'm alive and life doesn't suck as bad!
To all those that served. A heart felt thank you for your service. Fellow vet. 69 - 72.
Thanks for your comment, Paul MacDonald, and your service.
Grew up in Fort Ord an "Army Brat" but never realized how much endurance these outstanding young men had to go through in order to graduate from Basic Training! Truly astounding! Thank you for sharing. That being "Recycled" was news to me...
Cameron Beatty - Yes, there was infantry AIT training at Ft. Jackson in those days. Back in the 60s, basic(BCT) and infantry AIT(ACT) were separate programs. After about 7 or 8 weeks in basic in the first brigade at Ft Gordon, I, and others, were shipped about 90 miles away to Ft. Jackson for our AIT training. I was assigned to a light infantry training company in the 12th battalion in the 3rd Brigade. The 4th brigade there was for combat support(CST) AIT, things like clerks, light vehicle drivers or mechanics, etc. Ft. Jackson also had a mock up of a Vietnamese hamlet called "bau bang", located in a wooded area on the fort. Today the Army may have integrated the basic and advanced infantry training phases into one unit.
I don’t recall basic at Ford Ord being quite so nice. I remember constant screaming. Got there in August 1970, spent a week in reception station pulling KP everyday and 8 weeks in basic training. Some of the film does bring back memories though. Went to Fort Lewis Washington for AIT. My original orders were for Fort Leonard Wood, but my travel orders and vouchers were for Fort Ord. Army said it was easier to change my orders than my travel vouchers, so it took a week in reception station before my orders caught up to me in California. I was in the newer barracks, not the wooden ones. C-3-3 BCT
This training cycle began 20 July 1966 and the graduation date given in the description, 23 Sept. 1966 seems correct. Exactly one year later to the day, I began a 30 day leave before going to Vietnam.
Private e-1,Fort Dix ,N.J. 1974, thanks for the hardest memories I've ever had. Go Army.
I took my basic training at Fort Ord in 1965, and also my AIT. Those double name tags bring memories. Then went to Viet-Nam in 1967-68.
Were you allowed to go home between basic and ait?
Yes
Fort Polk Louisiana. B-2-2. November, 1965 and then permanent party there until November, 1967 at Company A Special Troops. Hard to believe that is nearly 50 years ago! Proud of my service.
Thanks for your service, 2098elk. Yes, it is very hard to believe all that time has gone by. We wonder whatever happened to all our friends from back then.
Fort Polk, Louisiana, May 1966...hot and humid for sure...drafted...wooden barracks...fire watch at night while others slept so barracks would not burn down...then on to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri then to Germany...lucky me i guess.
@@a.joseph4233 Forgot about Fire Watch and butt cans on the roof supports. Some times I wonder about all those men I out processed and sent them off to their port calls in Oakland.
I’m 72 now, and I remember those days, @ Fort Lewis, Wa. Standing in line for the phone. No cell phone back then. It was a good experience. I was drafted, but served 20 hrs in the army, reserves . Airborne !
They left out the 100 meter man carry! You picked up a guy and ran with him as fast as you could. That took a lot out of your legs, but right after it, you fell in for the mile run. It was a 500 point physical fitness test. The minimum passing was 300 points out of the 500, 60 in each event. A-1-1 at Ord in 1968. AIT at Fort Lost in the Woods, then 3 weeks of intensive training (infantry) before going to RVN as a 12Bravo (combat engineer). Arrived in RVN as an E-2, came home as a SGT.
Drafted Nov 1966 at 19. Sent to Fort Ord, B-1-1, on the hill, concrete 3 floor barracks. About 150 of us from Detroit, MI. Drop dead beautiful country and weather. Gained about 40 lbs in basic, and enough material to tell stories for the next 50 years. Vietnam 67-68, more story material.
Enjoyed your comments, leev jr. Yes, although this film was made at Ft. Ord, millions of guys will recognize the old wooden barracks (so-called "WWII barracks") as being very much like their own training area. Because they were always laid out along neat orderly streets, the areas seemed to look similar, regardless of which post you took training at. Thanks for your comments and your service.
Went through BCT at Ord in '68. This, is exactly how it was. I got lucky, got an 05B Mos, Radio School, after BCT. Went to Nam in '69, assigned to an artillery battery in the 4th ID. Got lucky again, made it back to the World.A lot of my BCT mates were given an 11B Mos, light infantry. I think about those guys almost every day of my life.
Thanks for your interesting comment, Boomer Boomer, and thanks for your service.
dwtpa90 I’m in fort ord now
D-C-3 Ft. Campbell Kentucky. Drafted in Jan. 69 sent to Vietnam in June 69. Great video, lots of memories.
Best time of my life, 74, boot camp, Ft. Polk, La. E-2 out of basic, scored sharpshooter M-16, I miss those times !!!
I was proud when i graduated basic training in 1988 at Fort Bliss Texas
Thanks, Jimmy C, for your comment and your service.
C-1-1 fort ord aug 68. Almost all of us were drafttees and stayed at Ord for infantry AIT. Went to OCS at Ft. Benning in March 1969.
Phooey. Fort Ord was a picnic compared to Fort Bragg, Fort Jackson, and Fort Dix in the 1964-75 period. You didn't know how lucky you were!
Lived across the street from "The" Tiger Land, Fort Polk, 1966. One Training Brigade (maybe 4th) dedicated to infantry headed to Vietnam! Of the 5 brigades on the fort, I believe 4 were dedicated to Basic Training. I believe the proportions of basic to advanced changed nationwide as the troop requirements dictated. That I survived and can look back on the experience now, I remember it fondly and with pride. I served in the Army Reserve in La.
checked my orders - reported Jun. '67. If every battle is won by the foot soldier, the grunt, I remember thinking America will always prevail based on my admiration of our DIs. (Sgts. Ortiz, Comstock, Stansbury, 1/sgt. Pyle) - for dedication, decorum, military bearing, fairness, effectiveness, leadership and serious patriotism. War is a deadly and dirty affair. I can't imagine co-ed platoons where orders are followed by "please". Where "hi tech" can not go, only men with honor must. Thanks dwt
I was at Ft. Bragg, B-10-2, summer of 68. So very hot and humid !! Some of the things I saw we did, but I might have missed the gas chamber ,bivwac (staying up for days and going through more jungle training, crawling under live machine gun fire, grenade throwing and we had more harassment as I remember. I hat's off to these guys though!!!. I was scared when I first got there!! My D.I.s yelled all the time and even hit me once - lol. I guess because all my D.I.'s were Airborne Rangers. Went to Combat Engineer school - 62/63B30 and last week of AIT got orders to go to Vietnam. Good Video ! I remember we did a lot of Army songs as we marched but I can repeat them as they were dirty ..lol
Thanks for some interesting comments and for serving your country!
I live in Fayetteville my dad was stationed at Bragg years ago.
Fort Polk summer of 68
Fort polk Louisiana. 1965. For ord was closed. Meningitis. So off we go to fort polk. 6 months later. Vietnam.
Drafted Jan 1968... Basic at Ft. Jackson, SC....then off to AIT as a Combat Medic in Ft. Sam Houston....Half way through AIT I was pulled out and changed to permanent party at Ft. Sam for 6 months. Then switched to a Logistics Division and shipped off to Germany. Discharged in Dec 1969...
Thanks for your service, Johnny D.
Greatpost dwtpa97.
ThanksYanks forsaving theFreeWorldsAss.
Thank you, Jono -
Ft.Ord 1969/70 D-2-3 Basic Love those morning runs to the beach ranges.
Thanks. I just watched this again. Brought back lots of good memories. Still remember my 10 General Orders, serial number, weapon number (M-14 was never issued an M-16). "Sir, my first general order is to walk my post in a military manner keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing, Sir." Never forgot'em. In basic we never walked anywhere, we RAN. Good days long gone.
I'm in newzealand. I found this really interesting. Great post.
Thanks, Bonnie Ruth. Appreciate your comment!
(Ted)...I took Infantry A.I.T. at Ft Ord Ca. in 1966......I don't remember anyone talking that nice....
Memories of Ft. Bragg, for eight weeks from October 68 on.
I was chubby back then, and the Drill Sergeants specially SGT. Frank Godderis, pushed me to the limits, lost 27 pounds and passed all PT tests.
I still remember being the platoon road guard, which did kept me running while we marched or ran.
I went through basic training in the summer of 1962 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and after 16 weeks of basic and advanced training at Leonard Wood served 18 months in Turkey with the Army Security Agency in Sinop and Ankara, Turkey, then returned to Fort Campbell, KY for my last 12 months with the 18th Airborne Corp and the 313 Army Security Agency Battalion. From what I gather the Army that I was in back then was completely different from the Army today. I can not even relate.
1966 A I T 64B 20
Guess I was really lucky. 275 guys in E-4-2, Ft 'Wood, only 5 of us were "RA DRILL SERGEANT!". the rest, US, draftee for you FNG's. Those poor bastards went straight to Infantry School every last one. I hope they made it . I had a contract. Army Security Agency with AIT at Ft. Devens, MA. 10th SFG MI. Volunteers got to "pick" your job. The bottom line was a steady paycheck every two weeks for the next 6 years which turned into 22 years and 5 overseas tours. I once did 50 pushups for answering a stupid question with a stupid answer.
Drill Sergeant asked me why I was breathing his air. I answered well you exhaled it, so I thought you were done with it. Why are you smiling troop? It's payday. That was the longest 16 weeks of my life. I GAINED weight because of not enough exercise. they weren't running enough. I was track and field in hs, shot put , cross country, mile run. the 7 miles to the rifle range didn't even break a sweat. Now? I get tired just thinking about it. Could throw a 16 pound cannonball 55 feet. Not a record. MY Drill Sergeants last words were "Get the F*** outta my area"
Thanks to all those who served, are serving now and undoubtedly WILL serve in the future
You mean Ft Leonard Wood?
Basic training E,3,5 ..... North Fort, Fort Polk, La. - 1966. Barracks across the street was AIT "Tiger Land" - Combat Infantry. Those guys never stopped training; morning, noon and night! Never forget arriving for basic .... those DIs were the meanest, scariest soldiers I ever had the misfortune to work for. Ran us off the truck and straight to the barber to be scalped. The Marines had nothing on these career Sergeants! Man, I left there HEALTHY and still a healthy respect for those Patriots.
I was drafted in early March 1968 and right after being sworn in and still at the induction center, 2 or 3 marines, at least 1 officer, and 1 NCO came over and pulled 4 of us out for the Marine Corp. We all collectively cringed, knowing that they were almost definitely going to Vietnam, and boy did we feel sorry for those 4 guys, because at least in the army there was a chance of going to Germany or Korea or staying stateside.
Thanks for your comment and your service, -
I was drafted in Sept 1967 and while at the induction station, two Marines came in, selected about 10 guys just to my left, and led them away. For a draftee, my time was not too bad: Truck driving school at Fort Ord, then I was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for 6 months and finished my final 13 months in Germany.
pluck.
Fort Dix 1972 Basic Training: Irwin Batchelor in a live fire exercise was supposed to fire at his target while I ran to a log and fired at mine. Instead he fired at my target so that he missed me by inches. The drill sergeant kicked the shit out of him and as we were marching back I turned on him and did the same.
Thanks to you too; for your service!
I practically lived at Ft. Ord 69-70. My fiancee was in Charlie Company Basic up on the hill but I am also an Army brat (my father was a non-com lifer, vet of WWII and Korea and a "Merrill's Marauder"
Stilwell hall with the cheap beer right?
A-9-2 Ft Bragg July-Aug 1967 First time away from home. Great learning experience that will always be with me.
Thanks for your post, Richard Blanchard.
Infantry training used to be at Ft. Jackson?
I'm an Army enlistee, with signed up with the Infantry enlistment option. They're sending me to Ft. Benning.
Thank you for your service. May your good memories live on with you.
Hell you cant even YELL at a Troop now, cause you might STRESS HIM OUT!! Gimme a frickin BREAK!!
Basic Nov.'66: Ft. Benning, Sand Hill, C-2-1; then off to Ft.Jackson AIT.
Myself Harmony Church. July 1967. Then Ft. Polk AIT.
Took basic twice 1956 and 1963. After 1st basic went to Airborne school followed by photography school. Then to Korea finally Fort Monroe where I was General Bruce C Clarkes photographer. Reenlisted 63 basic, INF AIT then OCS Basic Sig Off course, 1st MI Bragg, Dominican Republic (combat) Vietnam ( Combat) Ft. Ord, Monmouth advanced course Vietnam (combat) Panama, Fort Hood retired 04 in 1980.
Thank you for the info, and thank you for your service. It's great to hear some stories from those times. In some ways, the Army will never change over time.
Inducted through Oakland Induction Center, Basic at Fort Ord May - July 1972 H-1-3, 1st Platoon, 3rd Squad Leader, Fort Sheridan 91R Food Inspection Training. Stationed at Presidio, SF, detached worked out of the Alameda Naval Supply Center in the greater east Bay at red meats food processing plants. During the MOS assignment the Captain and DI's simply said, "Here are your orders, don't know what you'll be doing or where you're going", thus, neither did I until I arrived at Fort Sheridan.
Was at Knox in 66; we ran a lot more there then these guys did. And our low crawl pit was filled with wood chips, they'd all get pulled to the far end; made it a lot harder then sand; wallowing around in a foot or more of chips. They liked the CS gas too; gassed us three times. Once while we were on the way to the range, gassed from a small plane. I saw someone commented that "they look so young". We were young; most of us were drafted. I turned 19 less then a month before I went in.
Amazing how our Army was much different than before, really wished my time was like this
Brandon Rios, when I was in Basic a few years earlier, the drill instructors were not as nice! I think they were on their best behavior for this film. But it still gives a good overview of what Basic was like. Thanks for your post -
+dwtpa97 it definitely does give a great overview, I just wished they would have still kept many of the values (such as the toughness) and activities. In my opinion my experience in basic training was way too soft.
when were u at ft rucker? I was there from 1969 until 1977, except for my Vietnam tour in 1971-72. was in the 123rd Ordinance Det, (EOD)
Really brings back memories from days at Ft Ord Co A 4th Bn, 2bde Nov 1971 This video makes it look easy but don't fool yourself all my drill Sgts were 2 tour Vietnam Rangers/ Green Berets who were really violent, One trainee fell out of a run and a DI beat him with his rifle. By the 6th week we were all so crazy we were fighting and trying to kill each other, After basic I went to Ft Polk 11Bravo Infantry, + Tigerland Vietnam prep, then 3 wk ABN, + SF Phase training, then Quang Tri RVN,
Reception: 28 Aug 1970 Ft. Dix, New Jersey Basic A43 - AIT Ft. Gordon, Georgia MOS 72B20-D1. Permanent Duty Station USASA COMMUNIT EUROPE. ETS 27 Aug 1973 from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina....My Basic Training was slightly different from this film. We were issued the M16A-1 as our weapon; but before it could be issued we first had to qualify with a BB gun. Part of our live fire training was with the BB gun against cadre sniping at us in a wooded area. I thought that was rather silly at the time.
Thanks for your response, dwt... :) And after I left those 2 comments, I think I remembered why so many Airborne elements were present at Ord. I vaguely remember a squad of trainees double-timing around the quad while everyone else was in line for chow. They were in cadence to the old "I wanna be an Airborne ranger, I wanna go to VietNam..." and, in answer to my query as to why they weren't with the others, my fiancee said something about them going on to Ft. Bragg Ranger School.
This would have been 1966 judging by the uniforms and name tags, use of the M-14, which I also trained on. Myself Ft. Benning, then AIT at Ft. Polk, MOS 11B10, then 4th Infantry Division Vietnam. Noted only seven of the platoon went to combat arms.
I wouldn't do it again but im glad i did it back then,1974. B-1-3.
I was born in 1953 and was never drafted due to a high draft lottery number. It seems like everybody I knew got drafted and went to Vietnam. To this very day, I feel so lucky!! Thank
Thanks for posting. .... sent me to my Fort Polk yearbook .... lol. Had to pause the video to see if my DIs were shown. This was filmed in South Fort (3rd Brigade), I went up to North Fort Polk for basic (5th Brigade) then to AIT Supply Clerk school in the south fort area. Tigerland was one brigade in north fort dedicated to SE Asia prep. I believe Ft. Polk is at a similar latitude to Vietnam and offered similar weather. I don't think they have too many Pine trees in Asia though?
And a great number of them were either draftees or men who enlisted because they were facing the draft.
Thanks for posting this.... VERY interesting and informative!
Was at Ft. Ord Jan 73 D-4-3 1st platoon. then took AIT there also those were the days !
Yes, they were, Michael. Thanks for your post and your service.
I did basic at ft. Leonardwood .my proudest moment graduation. In our dress greens with pistol belt and canteen.eyes right pass in review .no 2 week leave went right to a.i.t.artillery school for me ft sill.
1965 Ft Ord . I remember it well.
From the looks of the uniforms this had to be pre 1969. For me it was Ft. Bragg N.C., then Ft. Knox KY. then on to Vietnam. Trained for armor but when arrived in Nam it was Infantry. What an expierence. Taught me alot too. Keep your mouth shut and your powder dry.
When on range firing the M14, or during live fire drills, did they wear ear protection?
My dad was there and the other day went through base and seen where he did basic,where we spent firts night on base and where he did last tour mumm miss the family running though and hearing songs
Great videos! I ended up here trying to find what was in those ampoules we were supposed to inject ourselves with if we got hit with chemical weapons. I went through basic and AIT at Fort Polk back in 1963. We had one guy go to Vietnam right after basic and nobody had even heard of it then.
+ignatz962 I took basic about the same time as you. The drug you are asking about was atropine and it came in an atropine syrette with which you injected yourself. If I remember right, after you injected yourself you were supposed to pin the empty syrette to your fatigues with the needle so that medics would know that you already gave yourself the shot.
+texman81 Yep, that was it. I didn't think I could inject myself, but I did.
In the comments above, it says the unit shown graduated in Sept 1966. I felt like I was watching my replacement trained in this video because I was drafted in Sept 1964 and released in Sept 1966. I found my Army experience to have both good and bad moments. It's funny, every once in awhile, I have a nightmare where I'm drafted once again and have to start basic.
That's wild that the class in this video is the class that followed you! A year or two ago, we heard from a fellow who was actually in this class. Many thanks to all those who served.
Nothing like I was trained in the Army in the early '70s.
Exactly! I think you're absolutely right about that... :)
Those Greyhound buses leaving the Co are were going directly to SFO.
H-5-1 you're lookin good outtabe in Hollywood!
I grew up 15 miles south of Fort Polk Louisiana in the late 60s / early 70s. This may sound dumb but was Fort Polk also known as TIGERLAND in the early 60s? I've been told that as a boy but never had it verified.
Thanks for posting these i was looking for a video like this but i have one question:
what type of exercise were they doing in the begining of the video
Respect.
Ft. Ord- fog always rolling in, Sixth Army Patch, meningitis,but where was the CBR chamber?
I visited Ord a few years ago, a few of the old company streets still exist but by and large it’s been obliterated.
We were all STANDARDIZED !! ..... lol. I see now this was shot at Ft. Ord ... I guess millions of guys would recognize and claim these scenes as their own. Learned my General Orders during GREAT CAP Cadet career prior to the Army. Also had the M-14. The training made us all better for it ..... and America. Peace, soldier.
...Was at Fort Polk 1967...Basic and then Tigerland for AIT...
...in Tigerland...you had to run everywhere...if you were caught walking
..you had to drop and give the man at least 20 pushups...Ha ...Lol...
Basic at fort Knox and AIT at Fort Polk 1970. 45 years ago
Basic fort dix.. for lewis and vietnam 11 bravo proud.. 101st airborne camp evans 69-70
It was interesting to read the first general order in your post, deputysheriff100, that brought back a lot of memories also! It reminded me of the first time I ever walked guard. Thanks for your post and your service to your country.
When did they start using hearing protection in training?
"For every man in combat, there are seven men who back him up."
I would say General Diem had a decided advantage in the field.
Diem was the President of South Vietnam 1954 until assassinated in 1963. The North Vietnam general was Giap.
Oh yeah. A typical foggy morning at Ft Ord.
I was in C-4-1 at Ft. Ord in Jun. to Aug 1972.
Wonder how many of those kids did not come back. I joined the Army in 1967, was medically retired in 1972 after a bad experience skydiving. Thank God the Army still treated women like women while I was in the Army.
H-6-3 The Best Damn Company on the Hill Drill Sergeant
Drive on Drill Sergeant Drive on!
All right, the Fort Ord Boogie. But again they left out the 150-yard man carry!
I have hard time carrying a box nowadays but 52 yrs ago I carried a guy 150 yds. And he carried me back! That's how bad I wanted out of FT. Ord..
...
Oh! And re "bloused boots": I remember the DIs putting those cardboard "collars" inside their pantlegs to hold the "blousing" out nicely. (I used to "spit shine" some of the DIs boots as partial payment for staying the night with their families. Nobody shines a boot better than old "brown shoe Army brat"! :) ) A lot of the DIs dressed using elements of Airborne attire there. Not sure why...
Class B uniforms at graduation parade - wow, haven't seen that since '66
We are the most patriotic in our society I thank my drill sergeant for making a man out of me back when the army was for real men 1985 Iraq veteran
@dwtpa97 Don't know if anyone had to do this, but we had to install "sneeze-sheets" at Polk (on our bunks) to block the threat of meningitis via coughing. Yeah, those were the good old days. "Ain't no use in looking back--Jody's got your Cadillac."
Yes; we did the same at Ft Dix. Basic for me in the fall of 1968.
No .... Fort Polk was a major post for men coming into the Army from 4 sources ... RA (regular Army), US (draftees), NA (Army Nat. Guard) and ER (enlisted reserve). Tigerland was carved out of the existing structure and dedicated to training Combat Infantry MOS foot soldiers specifically for SE Aisa. The obstacles , terrain and VC enemy forces we all designed for realistic conditions anticipated, and in the similar climate of SW Louisiana. The training was very realistic and HELL on earth!
Yes it was. The motto was "to kill a tiger you must be a tiger".
NG for National Guard, not NA. During the draft the NG was the lowest life form, they knew some politician who pulled some strings to get them out of combat. Our Drill Sargent would always send them to the end of the chow line. Now the poor NG seemed to be deployed all the time.
@@sandovalperry2895 I stand corrected. No disgrace being a NG and the factors that determined the branch could depend on the availability of local units to train with, continuing education or family obligations - all parts of the fabric of America that make it worth fighting for. The NGs had the same obstacles, tests and standards in Basic and there was no guarantee where they would end up, especially at the tender ages we're talking about.
They had us do a low crawl on canvas covered with sand. Still have the scars on the back of my hands.
We were forced to do a low crawl across a block-long sawdust pit, but each row of men was forced to fall down on the legs of the preceding men, so that when the prior row performed the low crawl, their feet would kick you in the face. By the end of the crawl, everyone's face was bleeding profusely and covered with blood, black mud, and sawdust. We had inhaled so much dust and sawdust that it hurt our throats to try to drink water. It was several hours before we were able to drink any water without severe pain. They told us that a repeat transgression by us the next day would bring about a repeat punishment, but we didn't know what we had done wrong. They told us we could call our congressman if we wanted to, because they could justify this as training. However, somebody must have complained, because the next day they were good as gold to us. We never heard anymore about it and things improved.
But looking back on it now, not so much.
I just reread your reply and realize I forgot to ask you when you went through basic; it had to be a while ago; they're not allowed to even swear around these recruits these days. When and where did you go through basic?
what's so great about swearing at troops, dickhead.
Took army basic at Dix in 1965 besides the training had to play mind games of thought to go along with the training..In my training unit there was one or two that were really unfit for training and the drill sgt. would pick on them constantly.We used the m1 rifle with bayonet for training.The drill instructor would pair us up for the manovers.He paired me up with one of the ones that was doing poorly.The manuver was for me to be on the ground with no rifle and have my team member come at me with rifle with bayonet .Before the manover started the instructor whispered in my ear and said "and you had better stab him" I was thinking this move out as it happened as to what should i do .Well he came at me as I was on the ground one leg perched up with my arm against it as he thrust forward I knocked his rifle out of position and grabbed it and used it to pull myself off the ground now i had control of the rifle and had him tripped on the ground I went over to him hesitated a moment for a good aim to make it look good went down with the rifle with bayonet and missed his side about 8" as the bayonet jabbed the ground I knew my movement good but did this just to make it look good also thinking that if i did stab him I am in a whole lot of trouble as no one witnessed the D.I tell me this as he whispered it to me.When I buried the bayonet in the ground i heard alot of woeeees :)I knew what I was doing and made darn sure it looked good with no one getting hurt.
That rule might actually be a more recent one and was not around then, uniform regulations change with time as do uniforms.
I was drafted in 1968 graduated from Ford or that March does anyone have or know where I can get an annual of my graduating class?
The only thing I can think of would be to search in eBay under the terms Fort _ _ _ _ or Ft. _ _ _ _. The 2 spellings of "Fort" could produce different results. Good luck!
"Ain't no use in going home - Jody's got your girl and gone."