First Day

The process had started to convert us from civilian to military at the reception center but that process really shifted into high gear the day we were taken to our basic training unit.

We boarded 'cattle trucks', the Army’s version of mass transit which we would become familiar with over the next 8 weeks, for the trip from the Reception center to our new home. As we drove up to the barracks we could the drill instructors, DIs, waiting for us. The yelling, screaming and mass confusion started immediately. There is alot I don't remember about that day but I do remember that I was scared shitless.

One thing I do remember clearly was when we were told, I was going to say asked but in the Army you are never asked, to dump out the contents of our duffle bags. The guy next to me threw something into my pile of clothes. I don't know what it was but I suspected drugs. I tried to step on it and it must have worked because as they checked through my stuff they didn't find anything. I think I kicked it into the grass after they went by. That is just what I needed getting busted my first day in basic with someone elses drugs. Luckily that didn't happen.

I was a pretty soft piece of clay for them to mold. I suspect most of us were. Even though the DIs couldn't hit you they were extremely intimidating. Everything that went on in basic training is highly planned and calculated and we were all beginning our journey to become soldiers.

This is a picture of my basic traiing home. My barracks was on the second floor on the left side of the building.