Posted on Sep 19, 2015
SPC Margaret Higgins
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Cpl James Waycasie
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Yes Ma'am. Parris Island had just started a new program called Natilus recruits. We went three times a week to Beautford MCAS and worked out on new ( Back then) specialized workout equipment. Of course D.I.'s were with us and there was nothing relaxed about it, lol. But we did get to se the outside world through the Bus windows.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
>1 y
LOL, Cpl James Waycasie. I love the fact that you got to avail yourself of the new equipment.
Drill Sergeants abounding- isn't that the truth Corporal.
Glad that you were able to get off base Corporal.
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SSgt Terry P.
SSgt Terry P.
>1 y
Cpl James Waycasie Lucky "so n so". LOL
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SGT Rick Ash
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Edited >1 y ago
SPC Margaret Higgins,
Yes, many times. But, for many reasons. This was FT Dix in 1973. I had already become friends with a young black man, we even shaved our heads at the In-Processing Center. ( We were threatened by the DI's that if we got sunburned we would get an Article 15 for damaging Government Property )
Turns out, that young black man was Charles "Spud" James, son of the first black man to reach the rank of 4-Star in the AF! Chappie James. His two brothers had joined the AF and were already a Captain & a Major. Spud rebelled.
First day at Basic in the Day Room we were lined up around the walls. A 6'5" weightlifter, I sorta' stood out. The head D.I. named me "Trainee Field First" and gave me an armband with E-7 stripes.
I got my own room and got to pick my own 4 squad leaders. That 4 shared a room next to mine.
First weekend we were put on our own but restricted to the triangle.
Spud said Let's go so we walked up to the taxi stand and went to the first place we could to buy civvies. From there to Seaside, NJ and had a blast!
I ran a tight ship and my recruits always looked sharp. Spud and I continued our weekend excursions. I would call home and so would he, one night he talked to his Dad and they were at the WH eating Duck L'Orange with Tricky Dick and Nancy Nixon!
His Dad decided to come to our graduation but he outranked the Post Commander! He ended up giving the commencement address. He was awe inspiring, onstage and in-person.
Two months into Basic I got to fly home for my 1st Wedding Anniversary!
I will never forget that 3 months!
Rick
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SGT William Howell
SGT William Howell
>1 y
SGT Rick Ash Now that is a boot camp story. Chappie James son! One of my heroes.
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SFC Retired
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when I was in basic training, we went off post to a church retreat and spent the day without drill SGTs and had real food and got to see a little of the town, Waynesville Missouri, just outside of Leonard Wood.. but we got our butts smoked when we got back.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
SPC Margaret Higgins
>1 y
Uh oh. SFC (Join to see).
A church retreat? I am so impressed; Sergeant First Class.
I'll be that real food sure tasted good. :)
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SFC Retired
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SPC Margaret Higgins - it did, what little I can remember. that was in 1992.
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