US Army

I've been putting this off for far too long. I must indulge in my darkest, dark past. Some, you won't believe, I couldn't and still can't believe it myself. Some are funny, crazy and just plain stupid. But, (sighing), life is one BIG experience. No experiences, no life I say.

I joined the Army in May 1977, the 31st of May, delayed entry program. 17 years old, a drop out of HS. I wasn't stupid in HS, just bored. Through out Jr HS, starting from the 7th grade all my subjects were advanced by 2 years, the whole 7th grade class stayed together through the 9th year, graduation. I went to HS of Art & Design, had to take an art test to get in. They couldn't believe my reading and math scores cause they were 2nd and third year college. All my classes in HS were art, no science, Spanish, math, history, none of that. Oh yeah I failed gym, so in HS, I had 2 periods of gym.

Since I had no academic classes, just art, to me art was boring. But I could draw. So going to school everyday was tiresome and boring. I would sign in to homeroom class, and then cut the rest of the day. Spending my time in museums, and art galleries. The cut letters would arrive at the house, but I would get them before my mother got them, ripped them up. They called the house, and she had to come in was told that I was a smart young man, but they didn't know what the problem was. I knew, I was bored shitless. Saw shrinks once a week, but nothing changed. One day I went up to the north side of the Bronx, Westchester Square. Walked by the Army recruitment office, and I was called in.

The thing was this, I could sign up without a HS Diploma, nor needing my parents permission. I was gone. I told my parent what I was doing, they didn't believe me. They still didn't believe me when I left that morning at 4:30am to catch a bus to the airport. Next stop, Fort Sill Ok !!!