Today, 43 years ago, I would have been on day 12 of basic training. I don't count the 2nd of August because it was a travel day....to reach San Antonio.
In simple terms....it was extremely hot....and you appreciated any moment that you were in a shade.
This was the point where you started to actually count 'days-left' (roughly 43). We had ONE single calendar in the entire barracks (in Sarge's office). On night-duty, you'd walk through and gaze at the calendar.
By this point, you'd come to realize that chow didn't get any better or worse. You got use to either grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches or burgers for lunch, and pineapple-upside-down cake.
You got used to 'lights-out' and a set bedtime.
You agreed with just about everyone about the crappy tasting water from the base.
You had figured out that virtually everyone from NY City seemed to be quiet pleasant and could entertain you for hours on descriptive details of the city.
You figured out that running a mile in Chukka-boots was not that bad. I should note, that was the first pair and last pair I ever 'owned'.
By this weekend, I had agreed to accompany the Catholic crowd over to services....to just see if there was anything exciting to their service. I came to note that there wasn't much to get excited about.
At this point, I gazed at my billfold, which I had taken around a hundred dollars as I left home, and they'd 'given' me another fifty-odd dollars upon arrival. Frankly, other than shoe polish, soap or can of Coke....you just weren't spending money on much of anything.
35 Years ago I was finishing up Navy boot camp in Orlando FL. It was a long hot humid summer. My experiences mirror yours in a lot of respects. After boot camp I stayed at "Navy World" for more training before heading to Mare Island CA for advanced training as a Data Systems Technician for almost 2 years (six year enlistment requirement). That training laid the foundation for a long career with the Navy which I'm close to finishing.
ReplyDelete