Posted on May 25, 2019
To this day, what was the one thing that changed your life in Basic or advanced training?
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Posted in these groups: 
Basic TrainingInfantry Center (Army)
Basic TrainingInfantry Center (Army)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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My discovery moment was at the reception station at Ft Ord in 1953.
After washing my brand new fatigues in a mop sink and wearing them the next day, I was an “old” Soldier and could buck lines and act like I was really important to the newly arrived recruits.
After washing my brand new fatigues in a mop sink and wearing them the next day, I was an “old” Soldier and could buck lines and act like I was really important to the newly arrived recruits.
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I wanted to "quit" basic training before my second week was done. A new Drill Sergeant, Sgt Phillips, sat me down and talked to me. She convinced me to not give up and stick it out. **If anyone knows her, she was my Drill Sergeant in D-3-3 at Ft Dix during the summer of 83.**
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
Them there Drill Sargent are some kind of a empirical worker. A combination of Mom Dad every school teacher we have had social worker Chaplin and a few other things all in one. After training I could say I never meet a drill Sargent I did not like. I believe some of them were even Physic. I was lucky to be trained under two Star at the time General Moore at Fort Ord Ca.
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It was being selected as the Platoon Guide and learning I loved to Lead and make an impact.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
Lucky you. I had a small chance to go to west point while serving in Korea in 72-73. It is a long story I have written about before on this sight. Were in as an enlisted man at that time? I drove and APC when I came back from my Over sea tour to Ft Benning with a training company that helped train Green-brae and OCS student and Cadets from west point. I think we called them 3rd lieutenants? Still rated by me as the best two years of my life.
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Suspended Profile
My drill sergeant looking me deep into my soul at the turn around point of an AGR (he was in front, I was last).
He looked at me and said- “if you can’t hang with the big dogs, stay your ass on the porch!”
I went from feeling sorry for myself to being honor grad and scoring a 400 (if there was an extended scale) on the end of course APFT.
All I wanted to do was be a Drill Sergeant after that day and now, I’m a senior Drill Sergeant Leader about to transition to the Chief of Training at the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy.
All because of DS (CW3) Michael Sexton.
Till the end!
He looked at me and said- “if you can’t hang with the big dogs, stay your ass on the porch!”
I went from feeling sorry for myself to being honor grad and scoring a 400 (if there was an extended scale) on the end of course APFT.
All I wanted to do was be a Drill Sergeant after that day and now, I’m a senior Drill Sergeant Leader about to transition to the Chief of Training at the United States Army Drill Sergeant Academy.
All because of DS (CW3) Michael Sexton.
Till the end!
PFC Donnie Harold Harris
Very Well Done. Then you now know what is in the secret sauce? I sure you realize that timing is one of the important facts to this success they have been having all these years. Know one knocked my head off Yet my head got a massive view point change. Some day I hope to meet you.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
I was picked but passed in Basic training to be a squad leader. I have a high I.Q. and was suppose to go to Warrant officer school to fly Helicopters. We were given another I.Q. test the basic or different I Q test where I dropped to 109. You needed to be 110 to go t the school. Just as well. The Veit Nam war ended on my tour of duty and we became a volunteer Army. My draft # was 320 or so. I was a Joiner.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
PFC Donnie Harold Harris - Thank You, Private First Class Donnie Harold Harris: for joining the volunteer Army. You did this nation: a great service.
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I think it was part way though "Plebe Year" at USNA ( I know, I know... pretty creme puff compared to other pipelines, but at 17, I was sufficiently "impressed"). I came prepared to face very difficult physical challenges... and believe me, they were there...but it was the mental game that gave me the most trouble. I had my 'dark night of the soul' when one of my squadmates literally went AWOL, and others began talking about quitting. First, I got scared, then I got worried... then, I got hot-coal and metal ANGRY. I decided if those <expletive deleted> flamers wanted to bilge me out, they'd have to carry my dead body out on a slab to do it. I dug in my heels, focused on my strengths, and started whittling away at my weaknesses. It was a rough year (and a rough three years after that)...but I made it, and no matter what, that can't be taken from me.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
WELL SIR I AM GLAD YOU MADE IT. I SEE A COUPLE OTHERS THAT ARE VERY GLAD YOU MADE IT.
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Probably taking the Advanced Survival put on by the Kiwi's in Antarctica. It's the little things that can kill you and getting into the habit of paying attention stuck hard from then on. Something about a shovel and a saw and you either froze or not will get your attention. SERE School reinforced that later on.
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They were an Admiral of the Navy giving a speech, I think Adm. McCarthy where he explained the making of the bunk. An wrote a book so titled. Make your bunk or bed. I have yet to read it. Well, Admiral. That is the single break threw point for me. I still make my bed. Even in Hotel rooms. The wife has always love that little part of my life. How simple
how powerful How long lasting it has been.
how powerful How long lasting it has been.
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