US Army Part 4

Basic training ended for me on August 18th 1977. This date in time, says
in memory. I think it was the time that this 17 year old became a man. I
look at it this way now, and back then too. Who knows what the numbers
are for all of those that joined our Armed Forces, entered Basic
Training, survived the 3 months of training and graduated. I know I
wasn't the only one, can't be, if feels and felt like we all were part
of some special group of men and women that stood out among the millions
of people in the United States. To me I felt special cause not too many
people could or did complete what I just did. Even though I was only 17
years old, I felt special. I really felt proud to wear this uniform. The
looks I got on my way back to NYC were starnge. I was asked about a
gazillion times how old was I, and how was Basic Training. Most said
that if I completed it, that they could too. I told them you have to
push your body to limits that you didn't know that you had. You had to
keep pushing eeven though your body just wanted to stop, but your mind
told you to keep soldering on. I was home for 12 days before I had to
ship out to West Germany.

On the day that I went into Basic Training, May 31st, the next day my
mother moved to a better location of The Bronx. We no loner was living
in The South Bronx, we moved to The North Bronx, Parkchester, a 3
bedroom apartment. I knew only 3 people in the neighborhood, and they
were from when I used to live when I was in elementry school. Didn't
know them all that well either. Didn't matter either, I was only home
for 2 weeks and the I was off to Europe for 3 years. The 2 weeks went by
quickly.

From The Bronx, to McQuire Air Force Base, a 8 hours non stop flight to
Rammstien AFB West Germany. First empression, ever watch one of those
old war movies about fighting in Europe? Dark, cold, raining? Just like
that. I felt as if I stepped back in time. Got on a Army bus to be taken
to 21st Replacement Detachement Company, every either arrives and leaves
from here. There was a 3 day in processing, fall asleep during any of
these classes, and you were keep an additional day to make up what you
missed by you sleeping. I fought to stay awake. Made it through though,
and now it was off to my Unit, 2nd Battalion, 81st Field Artillery, 8th
Infantry Division. Crazy Eights !!!
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