Can you imagine the first day of boot camp (BCT) for a recent grad from an American college?

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:30:10 -0400

I have a fairly active imagination. I've written a few books and a lot of short stories. That's why when I saw this comic I couldn't help imagining someone arriving at boot camp (BCT) after leaving a "safe space" behind at college. In my mind's eye I see a dog trying to run on a slick floor to escape something frightful. How would you describe it, that first encounter with a D.I.?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 13 at 2016 7:32 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:32:32 -0400

CPT Jack Durish wow....picture is worth a 1000 words here!

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made May 13 at 2016 7:34 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:34:47 -0400

Response by SSgt Terry P. made May 13 at 2016 7:35 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:35:51 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Humbling and devastating .

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 13 at 2016 7:38 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:38:28 -0400

I had more stress getting my tank platoon for the first time. I got out of OBC still needing to learn more about the tactics, techniques, and leadership.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2016 7:50 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:50:05 -0400

CPT Jack Durish Brain overload, and then three days and nights of unending terror, followed by intermittent dread and moments of excitement.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 13 at 2016 7:56 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:56:07 -0400

I cannot say anything about today's recent grads,but as a member of the Army during the draft era I served with some college grads that for some reason or another were caught up in the Military by enlarge they were as good and sometimes better than we regular Army guys,now as I said earlier I am not talking about the current crop they frighten the hell out of me.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 13 at 2016 11:56 PM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 13 May 2016 23:56:51 -0400

I see a lot of grown men and women crying for their mommies!

Response by SFC Wade W. made May 14 at 2016 12:44 AM

SFC Wade W. — Sat, 14 May 2016 00:44:23 -0400

Thankfully my father was a lifer and I was pretty much prepared for Basic. I have to say though that my first experience of a shark attack, nothing in the world can prepare you for that!!!

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 14 at 2016 12:58 AM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 14 May 2016 00:58:10 -0400

I think that today's recruits, if subjected to the trash-can tossing, eloquently swear-word-using, screaming company commanders of my day, couldn't help but cry for their momma's and demand their participation trophy.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 16 at 2016 6:42 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 16 May 2016 18:42:33 -0400

This reminds me a little of that scene in Jarhead when the author tells his DI he's only at Parris Island because he "got lost on his way to college." In all seriousness, I don't think it matters if its a college kid from 2016 or a high school drop out from 1996 - everyone gets a rude awakening on day zero. Thats the whole point. Relative to the military, all Americans are supposed to live in a "safe space," just one reason why this nation is so great.