Chapter 6: On With The Show

November 15, 1992...What should have been one of the most exciting nights of my life had turned into a night of frustration and self pity. Captain Cook's words had cut deep into all of us, and as we all finally turned in for the night, a sense of impending doom bled over me. I had left home into the great wide open, vowing to come back better than I ever was. My family and friends were waiting on the new and improved me to emerge, now they all would be disappointed. I had participated in the pillow raids through the cycle of basic training, but kept under the radar of the drill sergeants. It was no longer the me factor, but a team and brotherhood that was all in trouble and having the same thoughts of doom. That night's sleep would not be easy for any of us.
Four-thirty,November 16, arrived as usual for Third Platoon, but our heads hung low. Our PT was light that day considering the night before. After breakfast, Delta Company was gathered in the company area and addressed by Captain Cook.
"Delta Company, last night, you proved to me that you aren't ready to walk down that field tomorrow. You showed me that you aren't ready to met the challenges to be a soldier," he began.
"Your actions showed me that you lack the military discipline to become a soldier. So now what do I as your company commander do about this?" It was a rhetorical question, but one that sank in to us. No one spoke up, or was expected to. Captain Cook paused and ordered the drill sergeants to meet with him a few minutes, while our platoon leaders kept us in formation. After a long while, the captain and drill sergeants returned and conducted a head count and formal platoon report. First Sergeant Miller had joined the group now and addressed us by simply saying, "Company, attention! Front leaning rest position, move!!" We all immediately dropped into the push-up position and received the smoking from the first sergeant as we deserved it. After we recovered, Captain Cook told us that some of our families had already arrived in town the night before, and that after we returned from the final graduation rehearsal, he would decide if we were to stay off post with them That was a glimmer of hope that the graduation would go on as usual, but still the meeting with the families was unsure.
We marched out to the parade field that morning a bit more subdued than before. The good feelings we had marching there before was all but gone, we just wanted the cycle to end by this point. We went over the ceremony a couple of times, making sure we all knew what commands to respond to and how to properly do the pass and review. The order of the file was to be tall to short, so I was in the back of the formation, Private Caplinger was next to me, and apparently marching with a bounce in his step that was evident to the drill sergeants. He was told on two occasions to step it out and march, not "be-bop", but still had that bounce, prompting a smoking. The drill sergeant that smoked him told him he would be watching closely and had no problem smoking him during graduation.
We marched back for lunch, and after we regrouped in the company area. We were told to go upstairs and get into our dress uniforms for inspections. We had spent one evening shining our brass insignias and shoes, and making sure our ribbons and name tags were properly placed. This inspection would also serve as a final inspection for our lockers, including our normally off limits personal drawers. We got dressed and awaited the drill sergeants to arrive. A panic moment arrived when Private Norman, aka, The Barber, realized he still had his pet lizard in his locker. The lizard had survived the last few weeks in a shoe box in Norman's personal drawer. It was now time to start the inspection, and now too late to hide the lizard. At the same moment, a yell of "At ease!!" ended the panic, or added to it for Norman. The drill sergeants walked in and ordered us to stand by our lockers. They, along with Specialist White, moved from person to person, closely looking us over and advising Specialist White what needed to be fixed. One drill sergeant looked in our lockers, while the other drill sergeant would ask us a question, usually what the three general orders are, or other military knowledge we had learned during the cycle. Drill Sergeant Washington made the discovery of our mascot lizard. He saw the box in Norman's locker and asked what it was. Norman started to laugh, and Drill Sergeant Washington grabbed the box and opened it, immediately jumping back.
"Private, what the hell is this?" Drill Sergeant Washington asked, prompting a few chuckles. Norman replied by saying, "That's our honorary Young Gun." The room erupted in laughter, but quickly was hushed by the drill sergeants. Drill Sergeant Washington told Norman to "liberate the lizard quickly" before the commander came up to inspect the platoon.
The inspections continued, and Captain Cook, along with the first sergeant joined in, inspecting our uniforms and knowledge. My test was to spell my last name using the phonetic alphabet, Alpha for A, Bravo for B, etc. I rattled it all off correctly, and First Sergeant Miller then asked me who my senior drill sergeant was. Up to this point I had not thought about that question at all. I uttered that Drill Sergeant Hicks was, and the first sergeant asked if I was sure, I replied yes, and he nodded and moved on. I suppose that I answered correctly, but my hesitation with the answer prompted him to ask if I was sure. Either way, I didn't have to do push-ups.
The inspections seemed to take forever, and the day drug on now that training was over. It was now around 1500, or 3pm, and we were back in our BDU's, and in formation yet again. Captain Cook then addressed us and told us that our families had been in a briefing all afternoon in a holding area, and even though we had messed up beyond belief, we were going to be able to see them. A large sigh of relief came over me, and everyone else in the company. First, we were to go upstairs and finish packing our belongings, that family time would be after 1700 hours, or 5pm. We rushed upstairs and started to pack. It was then that I started to realize this family of brothers in the same room with me was starting to part ways. There had been so many bonds made with everyone in the platoon. We overcame hurdles that seemed impossible in our training and lives. The group of yahoos that arrived that early September morning, with the exception of a few in the company, had transformed into soldiers finally, soldiers who had proved to themselves they could do it the same as I had. We started exchanging home addresses in the hopes to stay in touch, a large daunting task due to the different military jobs we would go into. The time came when we were able to see our families. I was excited and nervous at the same time. It had been eight long weeks since I had seen any of them, but stayed in touch almost daily with them. We were briefed by Drill Sergeant Hicks before we went downstairs, and were told that we were allowed to stay off post, but be back at 0530 hours the next morning. Our families were given paperwork that we had to bring back to present to the drill sergeants as proof we were back. Drill Sergeant Hicks called us into formation in the company area while our families looked on. We did a roll call and then were dismissed. It was a madhouse of people rushing to see our families. I spotted mom, dad, Dee Dee, Norman and Casey right off and ran to them. Mom grabbed me and hugged me so tight I felt I was going to pass out. The last time they had saw me I had a full head of hair, now I was shaved down to the scalp. We had to change into our dress uniforms to be able to leave post, so I hurried upstairs and changed. Once I returned with an overnight bag, we set out to get off post, my first glimpse of freedom after eight weeks. The first place I wanted to go to was a mall. I had enjoyed going to the Lexington malls with Jeff before I left, plus I wanted to see what new music was out. We went first out to eat at a Pizza Hut near Fort Jackson, another favorite spot of mine. It felt so good to eat all the greasy pizza I could again. After that, we hit the local mall, also close to post. It felt good to be walking around in my dress uniform, I felt I was somebody for once. I could tell dad was proud of me, and Norman commented on how my manner had changed, I was more yes sir, yes ma'am now, something I had never been before. We got to the music store and I spent what seemed like an hour looking at all the cassette tapes. I picked out Bob Seger's Night Moves tape and AC/DC Live, both of which had some previous significance to me. The Bob Seger tape brought back memories of Jason and me cruising the past summer before I left and how we blasted those songs on his truck stereo, and the AC/DC tape reminded me of how I lost some hearing in my right ear after seeing them at Rupp Arena the previous November. But nothing could take away the feelings I had at the moment at hand. I had completed the hardest thing I had ever done, and had my family there to see me graduate. Mom and dad smiled proudly as I described what I had been through and how it had all made me better. Casey was now sporting a short hair cut, she had such long hair before I left, almost touching her waist. Now her hair was cut very short to her ears and curly on top. Dee Dee said that when I got my hair cut off, she too wanted short hair. We roamed around the mall for a while then went to the hotel off post. It was one room with all of us in it, quite a jam for the family, but I didn't care. Mom had brought some clothes from home, and I tried them on, but realized that my pants no longer fit. I left home a mere 115-119 lbs, now according to my PT test weigh in, I was 140 lbs. I had gained muscle for once and was no longer the gangly kid I was. We talked about how the last eight weeks had been going, I was telling everyone about the guys I was stationed with and how we all got along. Around 10:30, I realized I had to be back on post by 0530, so I drifted off, in the company of those I loved and missed so much.
Four-thirty came on November 17, 1992 as a much different morning. For eight weeks, I had woke up at this time and rushed to get down into formation for PT. This day, I was waking up with my family in a cramped hotel room off post. As I woke up, most everyone was still asleep, so I quietly shaved and got dressed into my dress uniform. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and thought to myself, this was the day I became a true soldier. This is the day I would walk proudly across that parade field while my family looked on in pride. This was the day I would embark on a journey that would take me far away from the ones I loved, the ones who were now starting to stir. This was my day...Now on with the show. By the time I emerged from the bathroom, everyone but Casey was awake and gathering belongings. I gathered my bags and walked out to the car. It was a crisp, cool day. I saw several other soldiers clad in their dress uniforms doing the same thing I was. I looked back in and saw everyone in my room readying for the trip back to post. The mood was much different now than it was the day I left Owingsville. I had no second thoughts now, no doubts at all.
We loaded into the car and drove over to post, arriving with almost ten minutes left. I reported to the CQ with my papers in hand while everyone else met in another area with other families. Third Platoon formed up yet again, Specialist White got head count making sure all of us were present while the drill sergeants prepared to take charge. Once the platoon's status report was given, we marched one last time to the chow hall for breakfast. I don't know where our families went during chow, but they were still around when we got back. The final breakfast chow was the usual, nothing spectacular. I had hoped at least we would have been served some gourmet breakfast the final day, but no such luck. As we returned to the company area, we saw a group of red phase soldiers doing PT. It was tempting to yell out at them saying, "See ya suckers!!", but the idea of doing push-ups in Class A Uniforms wasn't worth it. I met back up with mom, dad, and the rest of the family for a short time before we were to go to the parade field, explaining what certain areas were and where key places were located. Around 0830, we formed up again for the trip to the parade field, graduation would start at 1000. I parted ways with everyone from home, hoping I would be able to see them again before I left.
The bus pulled up and we boarded, very excited to finally be graduating, especially after what had happened with the pillow raid incident. We pulled out and gradually moved down the road, past the shoppette where Chewie had sneaked to so many times, past the large football field where we had been treated to that concert, and past Victory Tower where I overcame my fear of heights. I looked at these places and thought how it seemed like such a long, but relatively short two months. If all those people who doubted me back home could see me today. We arrived at the parade field and the stands were filling up. It would be impossible to see my family with the enormous amount of people filing in. The entire field was lined with columns of soldiers dressed in Class A Uniforms, the flags of each state flanked the podium which was dwarfed by a large American Flag. The Army Band was playing off to the side as the commanders, drill sergeants and top leaders took their positions. The day was sunny and very warm, a slight breeze blew across the field as we were called to attention. Not a sound was uttered by anyone other than the drill sergeants reporting to the battalion commander. The ceremony began by a prayer from Delta Company's chaplain, then on to guest speakers and so forth. The ceremony seemed much longer than the rehearsals and it was very hard to remain standing at parade rest. During a speech by a dignitary, a drill sergeant would roam about and quietly tell us to relax our knees a bit, but not to make it too noticeable. Eventually, regardless of the drill sergeant's attempts, a loud thud would sound as a soldier passed out from locking his knees. There was a guy just in front and to the left of me that just faltered and crashed to the ground. We couldn't exactly rush to his aid, but the drill sergeant and another person quickly scooped him up as he was coming around. We had the commanding general of Fort Jackson speak to us, was the first time I had ever seen a man of that rank. The ceremony drew to a close by the battalion reciting the Army Oath, the same one I had recited at MEPS eight weeks ago, and the call to the spectators that we were now United States Army soldiers. The battalion was called to attention once again, and the general dismissed us to our drill sergeants. The entire group moved in unison, doing a left face, ready to march across the field one last time. The band was playing, and our families were standing and cheering us as we passed the review stand and bleachers. I felt very proud and walked with my chest puffed out more than usual. Prior to the formation, the drill sergeant who got onto Caplinger the day before for "be-bopping" rather than marching approached me and told me I'd better get it right today. I was puzzled, but acknowledged his warning, even though I had been mistaken for Caplinger.
After the pass and review, we got into our platoon formation. Each of the drill sergeants congratulated us and shook our hands. Drill Sergeant Washington approached me with Drill Sergeant Hicks by his side and said, "Kis-Kis-how the hell do you say that name, private?" I replied with the proper pronunciation and he replied, "See I told you if I didn't know your name by now, you must have been a pretty good soldier." He shook my hand and wished me luck, as did Drill Sergeant Hicks. We marched back to the Delta Company building one last time as our families headed that way as well. When we arrived, we were formed on a hill overlooking the company area in a company formation. The drill sergeants put us at ease and called out our names with our new duty assignments. Third Platoon was a mix of specialties, I was to be the only medic from the platoon. When my name was called and the assignment for Fort Sam Houston was given, Drill Sergeant Washington told me that I would have it easy, no drill sergeants and lots of female nurses, he called the place "Fort Sham". Some time later, our families arrived and we were called to attention as they looked on. After that, we were ordered to open ranks, perform a half left face and assume the front leaning rest position. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! We were going to get smoked in our dress uniforms and in front of our families! We did our push-ups with more motivation than ever before, and when we recovered, we were called to attention one last time. We were told that some of us would be going on home, others straight into advanced training, or AIT as it was called, while others would stay one more night before reporting to our next assignments. I was one who would have to stay, unfortunately, mom, dad, and everyone else would have to leave me. After the drill sergeants told us the game plan for our next assignments, we were dismissed with a resounding shout of accomplishment. Basic training was over. I had survived. I had accomplished more than I had ever thought I could. I was stronger and disciplined, I was a soldier.
I greeted my mom with a huge hug, tears were streaming down her and Dee Dee's face. My eyes welled up, but I was for sure not going to let anyone see me cry. We had some time to ourselves for a while, I told everyone I would be reporting to Fort Sam Houston in Texas the following day. I was moving further away from them, almost half the country away. Soon, the time to part came, and with a heavy heart, I said my goodbyes. This parting was not as bad as the first one, I had matured, but still it was very hard for me. I had just spent eight weeks away from them, now I didn't know when I'd see them again. As we parted, mom, Dee Dee and Casey were in tears, dad was choked up and Norman was getting there. Mom wanted to take a picture of me before they left, so I stood by the sign at the Delta Company entrance. After that was taken, my family got in their car and drove away. I watched them for a short while, then went toward the company area. Those of us who were left there gathered our bags and took them back upstairs for the overnight stay. Out of around sixty in the platoon, there were only about twenty of us left to stay, the others had left for their AIT or back home to start their National Guard duty. As we were doing that, we noticed across the way some buses pulling up at a nearby barracks. The doors opened, and a familiar shout of "Get off my bus!! Move, move move!" rang out. This would be the new company of recruits, fresh meat. That first day seemed so long ago for me, I smiled to myself as I looked at them rushing off the buses with that same bewildered look we all had that first day.
I was back in the barracks again, sorting through my mind. The rush and hustle of the cycle was over and it was quiet. We got to have yet one more meal at the chow hall that night, then it was all free time. Our bodies were used to being in bed by 2100 hours, so we all turned in for one last night at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The next morning, wake up was on our own, but we still had to be downstairs by 0630. I was awake by 0530 so I made 100% sure that I was packed and ready to go. We had our personal bags returned to us the night before, but the batteries in my walkman radio were dead, so no music for me. We reported to the company area to a sergeant who was in charge of us, not the usual drill sergeant as before. The day was much cooler and rainy, a somber day it seemed. We reported to a recreation area that had a pool table and large screen TV. MTV was on and I was watching a story about how Ozzy Osbourne had wrapped up is 'No More Tours' tour by reuniting Black Sabbath a couple nights before. I had seen Ozzy just prior to leaving for basic training, seemed fitting I thought. The few of us in the room were waiting on a bus to take us to the airport, we by now had our orders in hand to report to our new stations. Around 0900 or so, we got the word to board the bus. The few of us that were on the bus all stared out the window as we left, leaving two of the hardest months of our lives behind us. We arrived at the Columbia Airport and found our gates, my flight would leave out around 1230. I called home to see if everyone made it back okay, and told mom that I was getting ready to leave soon, that I'd call her when I got to Texas. I drifted off to sleep, and heard a boarding call for my flight soon after. I boarded the plane, leaving Fort Jackson behind me, on to a new phase of my transformation....On with the show. Next stop, San Antonio for ten weeks.