Basic Training
March 10th is a memorable anniversary for me. It was 39 years ago today when I started Basic Training. Weeks before I enlisted in the Army National Guard. Dissatisfaction with my life prompted a visit to the local recruiting office. I found out my college background made me eligible for increased pay and other bonuses. Since the Army would also cover my housing and meals during my active duty time, I could save up most of my paychecks for a planned move to Minneapolis . I was flown from Fargo, North Dakota to Columbia, South Carolina, and then driven to nearby Fort Jackson. For the first three days, I went through processing, which included getting my head shaved, receiving vaccinations , and being issued army clothing. Initially, the sergeants weren’t too hard on us. I remember one in particular who was quite funny. When a couple of soldiers didn’t line up properly in formation, the sergeant compared them to Sesame Street characters. The atmosphere drastically changed when my group...