boot camp advice

The above words, from the top down, are as good as gold. I went
through USAF basic training in August 1951. It really wasn't as hard
as fighting fire in the Coast range of Southern California, nor was it
as tough as pre-season football practice. AMAF, what the DI was doing
made mroe sense to me at that age than arguing with my Dad over
minutia. (He was a CPA; I couldn't understand he only viewed things as
100% right or 100% wrong.) We got along a lot better later on
-teen-agers don't have much patience.
So do as they tell you, keep your mouth shut, keep a poker face and
don't volunteer (until you know for damn sure what it's all about).
Like was said earlier, many millions of men and women (okay, boys and
girls) went through the same BS before you did. Hang in there and
towards the end you will - I promise you - start enjoying it. Basic,
boot, whatever; it is a rite of passage everyone should benefit from.
I bet it will do you good!
Good Luck! Walt BJ

There has been a lot of good advice given. Just remember, don't take
anything personally. The DI's are just doing their job. While the most in
your face adversity is the physical challenge, really the whole thing boils
down to a mental challenge. When you can't do something fast enough or hard
enough, recognize the situation for what it is. You are intentionally being
stressed. In the gas chamber, you are going to get gassed. Stay calm and
think things through. There were times that I doubted my ability to make
it. The one thing that helped me was I kept telling myself that I was going
to go home on an airplane in uniform not on a bus in civilian clothes.



Good luck



Evan Williams

USMC Retired

"Evan Williams" wrote

The one thing that helped me was I kept telling myself that I was going
to go home on an airplane in uniform not on a bus in civilian clothes.

Just remember that if Lee Harvey Oswald can make it, anybody can.

"Billy Preston" wrote in message
news:kDYKc.6487$Zr.1006@okepread01...
"Evan Williams" wrote

The one thing that helped me was I kept telling myself that I was going
to go home on an airplane in uniform not on a bus in civilian clothes.

Just remember that if Lee Harvey Oswald can make it, anybody can.


Thanks a lot

Just remember that if Lee Harvey Oswald can make it, anybody ca

Actually, this isn't the case. Oswald went through basic training in
the U.S. Army roughly at the same time I did. We were Depression
babies and the army took what it could get. I especially remember
"Pop", an ancient 28-year old who had several fused disks in his back
and so had a peculiar gait.

We had another guy who cried when the First Sergeant yelled at him.
"Goddammit, why are you crying?" "Because I'm afraid of you, First
Sergeant."

That winter, Golf Co 272 Inf Reg 69th Inf Div had five platoons: the
1st, the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th, and the college graduates who trickled
in long after the others got home.

When I started basic, I could do 18 chin-ups. When I finished, I could
do 13.

We were not a very fearsome group. It drove the cadre crazy, because
they were all veterans of Korea.



We were not a very fearsome group.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Expedition sailboat charters www.expeditionsail.com

Actually, this isn't the case. Oswald went through basic training in
the U.S. Army roughly at the same time I did.

Oswald went through Marine Recruit training.

And there is generally no comparison between Marine recruit training and the
recruit training of the other branches.

I saw some tape of a recent Army recruit graduation. They were not even
marching in step.

Walt

WalterM140 wrote:

Actually, this isn't the case. Oswald went through basic training in
the U.S. Army roughly at the same time I did.

Oswald went through Marine Recruit training.

And there is generally no comparison between Marine recruit training and the
recruit training of the other branches.

I saw some tape of a recent Army recruit graduation. They were not even
marching in step.

That's the benefit of the "Army of One" campaign, they were all in
step. :^)
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)

"Cub Driver" wrote

Just remember that if Lee Harvey Oswald can make it, anybody ca

Actually, this isn't the case. Oswald went through basic training in
the U.S. Army roughly at the same time I did.

Oswald was a Marine.

Actually, this isn't the case. Oswald went through basic training in
the U.S. Army roughly at the same time I did.

Oswald was a Marine.

After a hard day's work on the rifle range, we used to go into
Trenton, find a marine, and beat him up.

(I *knew* I"d seen Oswald's face before!)

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Expedition sailboat charters www.expeditionsail.com

After a hard day's work on the rifle range, we used to go into
Trenton, find a marine, and beat him up.

I suppose that might be possible for you and some number of your friends.

Walt