What is the dumbest/worst thing you ever did in Basic Training or your AIT?

PVT Angelo Velez — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 21:33:25 -0400

What was the worst thing you have done in basic training. Any stories or anything dumb that maybe someone else did while you were in basic training.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 9:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 21:41:39 -0400

Don't even know where to start w/ that one.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 10:52 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 22:52:56 -0400

In Basic at Ft Leonard wood we were forming up early in the morning for a ruck. The day before DS R gave us a list of everything we needed for the following day, separated by on person and in the ruck. He emphasized repeatedly to follow the list exactly. A few people asked questions about the list and got the same answer "there is a list on the board, follow it." However the patrol cap was not listed. Being the high speed solider that I was, I showed up the next morning with my gear ready to go, but no patrol cap. We were standing around and got told we could ground our kevlars and wear our PCs until we kicked off. In a panic I grabbed my buddy told him what happened and we ran as fast as humanely possible past almost every DS, in the building past a few more, up the stairs and to the bay to recover my PC. We got back to the formation in time to here another private say "DS, I left my PC inside th me barracks." After a thorough berating only a DS can provide he was sent up to retrieve it while we waited with our rucks on ready to go.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 24 at 2015 2:08 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 02:08:00 -0400

In OTS I had spit shined my brogans to perfection, I thought. Nobody had mentioned that the soles also had to be polished, and it never occurred to me that the hard black rubber needed polish. During the first inspection the TI reacted as if I had intentionally disobeyed a direct order, and I had to report to the Major to explain myself. After that the TI took particular care to heap encouragement upon my sorry butt at every opportunity.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 06:48:52 -0400

During my 1st AIT the day before we were to get a off post pass where you could smoke, drink or whatever, I had to hide in some bushes by the company area to have a cigarette. Luckily I did not get caught but in remembrance it made no sense, I did not smoke during basic and the first few weeks of AIT and had to have one the day before I could do it legally.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 9:56 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:56:53 -0400

My Senior Drill Instructor came in the head and asked for some Recruit, to which I made the brilliant mistake of muttering under my breath, but loud enough to be heard that "if he was up your ass eating a ham sandwich, your would know". The Senior asked who said it and being pathetic I failed to own up. He asked again and the entire platoon pointed me out. I was then designated as the ATR (Automatic Trash Recruit) for Platoon 1060. Every time someone got smoked, I was given the opportunity to join them. I hated hearing Bob New Hat start unloading on some fellow recruit, as I knew if ended with "Get your ass on the quarterdeck", I was getting smoked also. It's a small price to pay to be the worlds finest.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jul 24 at 2015 11:20 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 11:20:34 -0400

The dumbest thing to happen? Probably when some people in our flight, to remain nameless, wore our MTI's campaign hat the day we were leaving. The dumbest part of it was they didn't think of closing the window cover on the door for the off chance that an MTI may be walking by. Luckily none ever did.

Runner up number one would be when members of our flight were passing notes through the bathroom wall to the girls in our sister flight.

Runner up number two would be when one of the members of my flight was turning in his mock M16, as he removed it from his shoulder he did an honor guard type twirl with it before handing it to the armorer. Another MTI questioned him about it and pulled his 341 at which point the MTI noticed he wasn't standing at proper position of attention and said he was writing him up for that too. My fellow trainee responded by rolling his eyes and then got a third right up. Didn't go too well.

Runner up number three, man my flight did some dumb things, would be when we were standing outside of another squadrons chow hall. On this particular day our normal chow runner was doing something else so we had to use our previous runner since he was the only one that knew the reporting speal. The only problem was he was our FORMER runner for a reason, he usually got eaten alive by the MTIs. So anyway he goes in, is inside for a few minutes and returns to call our flight in. Our flight got far too excited to see him return and decided to applaud him very loudly, as a female MTI from the other squadron walked around the corner. I feel I need not say what happened when she informed our MTI of our cheery moods.

Response by SSgt Carl B. made Jul 24 at 2015 5:01 PM

SSgt Carl B. — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:01:32 -0400

Unintentionally set off the fire alarm in the barracks causing fire department to respond and everyone leaving the building. No one was harmed and my roommate and I had a good chuckle.

Response by MSgt Jeff S. made Jul 24 at 2015 5:15 PM

MSgt Jeff S. — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:15:08 -0400

I was "that guy" that showed up to basic with a 6-inch spiked Mohawk. From the first day to the last, I never lived that down. Probably should have just tattooed a bulls-eye on my forehead, it would have been less obvious.
The funniest part, however, was our last day in the chow hall. My flight was eating and a rainbow flight filed in. Everyone in the place was alerted to this when the Snake Pit erupted. My "favorite" MTI was shouting my name and pointing at the poor soul who committed the EXACT same mistake I did 6 weeks earlier. It was priceless.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:16:41 -0400

Told the drill Sgt that Jesus is always with me when he asked where my battle buddy was when I didn't have one.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 5:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 17:51:59 -0400

So no sh*t, there I was at Ft Leonard Wood, MO in 1993 in the summer. It was FTX time, and the DS has us half circled around the tent as it was hot and he didn't want to be in the sun. So, he is giving us some sort of speech about the upcoming night infiltration course. At the end of his pep talk, he tosses a practice grenade. Naturally, we all scatter. As I am running away, my ankle clips this tree stump real hard. Hurt like hell. Apparently we didn't run away fast enough so he calls us back, rips us a new one, and tosses it again. This time, since my ankle was screaming, I limped away. Naturally, he deemed we were not fast enough again, so he calls us back for another ass chewing. Tosses that damn thing one more time. This time, I just stand there. Only movement I did was watch everyone else run away. Oh, this was not smart on my part. DS calls me and one other guy into the tent (all flaps and sides are rolled up by the way) and smokes the ever loving sh*t out of us for about 30 mins. I didn't know I could do so many front back gos and low crawls so fast and in such a small area. When the smoking was done, he gives me and the other guy a talking. Then he TOSSES THAT DAMN GRENADE again. This time, I ran my ass off.......................right into one of the tent peg ropes. Caught me right across the throat. I literally went horizontal and then landed flat (and I mean flat as a board straight) onto my back. Laid there for a few minutes stunned.

Lesson Learned: Look where you run.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 6:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:35:40 -0400

Got busted by my Drill Sergeant in front of the PX smoking a cigarette our first weekend we were allowed to leave the company area. They had specifically told us no tobacco, but I thought I could get away with it... turns out I couldn't.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 24 at 2015 6:49 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:49:31 -0400

Standing in formation a mosquito landed on my face. I tried blowing it off my cheek. We were at attention and as soon as the drill sergeant turned around, I brushed the bug off my face. "Setterholm drop!" He must have knew it was there.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 3:00 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 03:00:56 -0400

I was talking about a DI and didn't know he was standing over me listening to the hole conversation. He just joined the platoon. We were 10 weeks in training already. I was talking about how week he was. Let's just say I received a lot of attention for the next three weeks, my last "Pit" session was the morning of family day.lol 14 years later, I still tell that story.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 25 at 2015 5:39 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 05:39:27 -0400

We had just cashed our paychecks (yes I'm that old that we got actual paychecks we had to go to the bank to cash) and I put it in my wallet which I THOUGHT I locked in my wall locker, but NO... This dumb ass Seaman Recruit left his wallet laying next to his PT shoes! I thought I was going to have to do 1 pushup for every dollar in my wallet before I got it back!

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Grice made Jul 25 at 2015 8:42 PM

1SG Jeffrey Grice — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 20:42:42 -0400

26 years later, still remember it like it happened yesterday. Basic Training at Ft Knox, sitting thru long winded presentation on "something", sitting in the front row, AC blowing in my face and I swear I only closed my eyes long even for them to get rid of the dry ear, when Drill Sergeant snagged me and to the back of the room I go. The back room was already full of other idiots like me, no room to make me do push ups, so Drill Sergeant has me go under the table and act like a dog. Bark, heal, etc...who cares, wasn't getting smoked like my fellow other brothers. I made the most of my opportunity and hammed it up quite a bit. Had the Drills and my fellow Privates rolling!!!

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Jul 26 at 2015 5:19 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 17:19:56 -0400

I was a squad leader in boot camp (NTC San Diego.) We had recently been taught some of the basic commands an officer of the deck gives to a helmsman. I was marching my squad somewhere and had the bright idea to use those same commands instead of marching commands. We thought it was very funny. The officer riding his bike across the grinder did not see it out way. We got an a** chewing and extra duty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2015 12:37 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:37:39 -0400

Another memory lane trip to FT Leonard Wood in 1993. So we come upon 4th of July. The company, in their mad twisted sense of kindness and humor, decided to give the company an on post day pass. We were informed that we could go where we wanted to on base (minus housing and other perm party areas), eat what we wanted to/where we wanted to and even buy what we wanted to. Those inglorious bastards even told us that if we were 21 yrs of age and older, then we could partake in alcohol and naturally not to touch beer if we were not. Said we could even smoke. Evil men with evil grins. I still remember the last words spoken that morning before we were dismissed..."Remember, you can do what you want today. But bear this in mind, come tomorrow morning, you belong to us again. DISMISSED!" Many people should have heeded those words. I'm glad I did. Come time for our recall formation, there was a LARGE amnesty box for each platoon. Those that still had contraband had to put stuff in it before entering the barracks. There was knives, packs of smokes, cigars, condoms, candy galore, all kinds of stuff. But the real fun began the next morning at PT. I swear, half of the PIT was a mixture of sweat and vomit. To this day, I still wonder why people did not heed those words and chose to commit mass stupidity.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Jul 31 at 2015 12:42 AM

CPO Jon Campbell — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:42:40 -0400

We had a small group from our company that spent the night on an 82' cutter to learn how to stand a mid watch. Everyone fell asleep and we missed breakfast. Best sleep I ever got ...lol. Exactly the opposite of what we were supposed to be learning to do.

Response by CCMSgt Michael Sullivan Ph.D made Aug 7 at 2015 12:07 AM

CCMSgt Michael Sullivan Ph.D — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 00:07:12 -0400

My dad spent 38 years in the Army, when I was in basic I wrote him a letter, he was still on AD at the time. I told him basic was a joke that he was harder on me growing up them the AF TI's were. Well he spoke to a few people and word got back to my TI's. My last 2 weeks were hell.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 1:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 01:31:42 -0400

Falling asleep during fire watch

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 7 at 2015 3:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 15:30:14 -0400

It was not me, but a kid stuck a blank and shot it in the assembly area. He did not graduate.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 10:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 22:42:29 -0400

We had to do cut the grass with our E-tools for " area beautification" and separate different colored rocks in our rock pit lol. Definitely miss that.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 11 at 2015 8:54 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:54:04 -0400

I arrived at my first formation-late-with my shoelaces and polished brass in my hands.
Obviously, I knew Nothing about the military/Army.
(Well, at my university, and in my defense, I arrived late to one of my classes-consistently, as I recall-and still got all A's. )

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 11 at 2015 9:10 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 09:10:22 -0400

I got home sick when we started sand bagging. I'm originally from Missouri near the Mississippi river, which tends to flood and communities sand bag to prevent damage.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 11 at 2015 9:25 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 09:25:19 -0400

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 12 at 2015 1:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:33:18 -0400

I linked up with two hot chicks in Virginia Beach one night and I showed up to the AIT class late and smelling like tequila. I had a good track record so they gave me a warning.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 16 at 2015 9:05 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 09:05:36 -0400

Left my foot locker unlocked--had to carry it everywhere for 3 days and i mean everywhere--ever try to do up and on shoulders with a foot locker or the manual of arms?
Just to be clear it contained all the gear normally stowed in a footlocker.
Left shoulder--Foot locker!!

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Aug 16 at 2015 9:33 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 09:33:24 -0400

I was left in cq cause i was dumb and didn't follow my battle, and 2 of my drill sgt tell me to get on a mic and order my drill sgt to come down to cq.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 21 at 2015 7:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 19:17:52 -0400

A basic trainee stuck a blank in the M16 and shot it during our down time. He was kicked out for being stupid, effeminate, and over weight. Of course he was smoked pretty good.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 4:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:53:47 -0400

I remember yelling at one of the Drill Sergeants one night for making noise right next to me. I didnt realize who it was till shit started getting tornadoed and the yelling started....that made for a very long painful night.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 5:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:25:41 -0400

I hate to bust Airman D out with him not here to defend himself, but…

A group of us attended the USAF Security Forces school as TDY students, having cross-trained from other AFSCs. While the pipeline students fresh from Basic were corralled in the squadron area, the TDY students stayed at the Gateway Inn at Lackland AFB (San Antonio, TX) right across the street. As TDY students, we were on our own after duty hours. A couple of us even had our POVs there.

The last day of training before graduation was reserved for a field exercise, guarding mock alert aircraft or weapons storage areas from various threats. The night before, Airman D showed up at my door with two attractive AF nurses, all of them wanting to go party.

The TDY personnel, four of us including D, had to be in the schoolhouse at 0500 the next morning to convoy vehicles and equipment out to the training site. Sorry, D, I need to rack out and get some rest for tomorrow. Try as they might, and they did, even the nurses couldn’t get me out. I reminded D about our 0500 showtime, and told him to stay out of trouble.

The net morning, the TDY personnel were forming up at the schoolhouse, and D’s roommate, Airman M, said D never came back to the room last night. We were forced to tell the cadre about it, then broke our convoy to go check by the room one last time before going out the Training Area 7. We never found D.

We got out to the training site at 0530, the rest of the class showed up at 0700. Still no D. At 0800, we could hear D’s pickup roaring across the training area and slide into a parking. He jumped out, ran past us to throw himself at the mercy of the instructors. Instant Letter of Reprimand the day before graduation.

“What happened, D?” we asked, when the dust settled. “Where have you been?”

“Guys, I woke up in Dallas at 0400.”

Good times. Good times.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 11:53 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 23:53:35 -0500

I'm not sure if I can answer this without some legal advice...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2017 4:03 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 16:03:15 -0400

My TI picked up my note book and wanted to know why I had not completed the rank insignia assignment. I said, I was not worried about it because I already knew them all and it would only take a few minutes to complete. She asked why I thought I knew them so well. I told her my father was in the Air Force. If that were not bad enough, she asked what rank my father was. Instead of just saying MSgt. I said First Sgt. There were no breaks for me after that. In the Air Force, 1st Sgt is a position, not a rank.

Response by SSG Adam Reed made Mar 27 at 2017 10:17 PM

SSG Adam Reed — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 22:17:40 -0400

I'm on one end of the barracks cleaning the bathroom and just minding my own business whistling away and just happy to be a private. Someone from the other end of the barracks yells out, "Reed where are you at?" my reply "Who the fuck wants to know?" That someone was a DI. I'll let you fill in the rest of the story.

Response by SPC Greg Burnett made Mar 27 at 2017 10:59 PM

SPC Greg Burnett — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 22:59:36 -0400

Twasn't me but we had a guy that decided it would be a good idea to mail home about 6 or 7 linked 7.62 rounds.
He was wrong.

Response by SPC Greg Burnett made Mar 27 at 2017 11:12 PM

SPC Greg Burnett — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 23:12:19 -0400

Not sure these actually qualify as "dumb" things, but WTH....

I'm a night person; my mother says I always have been.
Getting up at 03:30 was a bitch when you'd go to bed at 21:00 but not get to sleep for at least an hour, sometimes two. One morning I was awoken by a DS knocking on my forehead like a door asking me if I was going to join the platoon that day. I remember wondering to myself if he was actually giving me the choice. That was the end of that but I remember it.

Another time we were sitting in the company area cleaning weapons. A drill sergeant walks out of the orderly room and someone yells "AT EASE!" and we all jump up. My legs are asleep and as I get stood up, I go right back down with A2 parts going everywhere. Panicked, I struggle back up and go right back down. The drill sergeant just stops and looks at me. He knows what is going on. I try a third time and stay up but wobbly. He said something comparing me to a new foal or something. I don't remember now, but it got a laugh out of the rest of the company

We were cleaning our rifles that were brand new A2's back in '88. I manage to catch the web between my thumb and index finger between the delta ring and handguard while trying to put the handguard back on. You get enough of that stuck in there and you can't just pull it out, AND... you can't get that handguard back off one handed. And it bleeds like a gallon bag of blood stuck with a knife.
Well, almost.

Response by A1C Josiah Crowden made Mar 28 at 2017 11:11 AM

A1C Josiah Crowden — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:11:37 -0400

Our chow hall was under construction and instead of eating at candy land (322nd), we went to another chow hall. Standing there in formation my eye caught a beautiful female MTI walk by, naturally most of us glanced since we hadn't seen a female for weeks and she didn't let our glances go unreprimanded she picked me and started chewing me out asking, "Do you like what you see?!" "Yes Ma'am," I responded quickly! "Well! Take a picture it'll last longer," she screamed in my face! I asked her for a camera like an ignorant cocky trainee that was about to do push-ups till My arms were past burning by every MTI within earshot of my statement. I literally felt like an insignificant worm with around 6 MTIs circling me like prey. However years later, I caught wind that a female MTI was discharged for posing in playboy and it was none other than Ssgt. Michelle Manhart, and needless to say I got my picture in the end!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 1:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 13:18:19 -0400

It wasn't me, but I was a witness to it: In 1980, I was going thru Combat Engineer (12B10) OSUT at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. I was detailed along with 3 others to be outside and 'rake rocks'... One of the other 3, a kid whose last name was Lucas - told a DS the following: EFF the Army. Within 30 secs or so, this DS had a plethora of other DS' surrounding this kid... I kept raking the rocks. But as I did, I raked myself out of that area, down the sidewalk, and around the side of building. The other two trainees who saw Lucas getting smoked, basically joined me in getting out of the AO.

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Mar 30 at 2017 1:26 PM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 13:26:31 -0400

My biggest mistake? Joining the Army.. msg, not really. Zero day, I we singled out cause I'm a big dude who understood straight lines, etc. I was caught running back and forth on the line cause I was tired of shitbags not getting their shit right. All you gotta do is, LOOK DOWN THE LINE (!), anyways, I turned to the DS and days in don't with these motherfuckers... Yup, not a thing to say on zero day... Next was, I told one of them "you cannot say anything or do anything to me that my parents didn't do 24 hours ago, so... Keep on yelling". From that day on, I walked through basic with no problems. I won't say I didn't learn anything, but I should've chosen the Marines.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 2 at 2017 6:56 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 06:56:42 -0500

The dumbest thing I did was talk to the CO without requesting permission to talk to him, D I dropped me for 50.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 2 at 2017 2:09 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 14:09:44 -0500

CC was smoking us all for some infraction. There were 80 of us in the company, 40 to a side in the barracks. He was making us do pushups at times, but then, for like 5 minutes, he made us hold in the up position. But he was pacing up and down the barracks. So as soon as he passed recruits, they'd lower themselves to the ground. To a man. Me included lol. By time he got to one end or the other, only like the 4 or 6 he could still see were up. Then of course just before he turned, everyone raised again. The effect was a wave like you see in stadiums sometimes. Of course, some asshole burst out laughing and he turned too soon once and caught us. That day did not end well.

Response by PFC Roy Burnett made Dec 3 at 2017 1:02 AM

PFC Roy Burnett — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 01:02:30 -0500

Smoked pot outside behind the baracks

Response by SFC Gary Stanfill made Dec 3 at 2017 4:09 PM

SFC Gary Stanfill — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 16:09:09 -0500

I was at Ft Jackson Sc for AIT..The class wanted to go to Grad hung over..To make a long story short I got caught with a small amount of Rum in my wall locker...Cost me $50.00 and later a good assignment....

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2017 8:27 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 08:27:11 -0500

We were in the final days at boot camp. My division was up for the CNO award. All we needed to do was not screw up in the next 24 hours. Well.... myself and 2 others were tasked with delivering something to part of the base (I dont exactly remember where it was supposed to go) and our RDCs chose the oldest individual to get us there. That individual did NOT listen to myself or the other recruit when we told him we CAN NOT GO DOWN THAT ALLEY. It was the COs alley. Well... he had said that we were to obey his command because our RDCs gave him that privilege. So we followed him and got called over and got in trouble and lost the CNOs award. Our RDCs were angry beyond all reason and 'Beat' this recruit for a couple of hours.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 14 at 2018 8:13 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:13:05 -0500

The Basic School, Quantico... A 2ndLT had a can of Barbasol shaving Cream in his pack on a forced march. He threw his pack down at a stop and evidently punctured it. Man!!! there is a lot of shaving cream in one of those cans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 8:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:29:34 -0500

Go to San Francisco city 1972, and get Sloppy Seconds with six other guys.

Response by PFC Isaiah Pixler made Feb 1 at 2019 1:31 PM

PFC Isaiah Pixler — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:31:19 -0500

While there is no end to the stories of my dumb shit done that could be told from my time in the military ranging from coins and commendations to things that easily could have gotten me a court martial. Mostly little shit like my identifying the instructor carrying the artillery simulating fireworks during a ruck march and calling "incoming" as he was throwing them. Those stories aside there are a couple gems in there.

My favorite comes from my last day in Army AIT, Fort Bliss circa 2008. As any vet knows, we tend to acquire souvenirs during our travels in the military. One such acquisition happened to be a sombrero I picked up while in El Paso. Now I don't know when it happened specifically, but I lost my fucks somewhere between my arrival at basic training and my departure from AIT. That being said, I figured it would be a grand idea to go ahead and wear the aforementioned sombrero to my final formation in training, so I did. Just to make sure we all have the visual right, back in my JROTC days me and my class used to breeze through state level D&C competitions and I was one of the top in the class. So there I was, front and center, perfect posture and bearing with one glaring problem, gigantic ass hat, as the company awaited the arrival of the NCO on duty.

It wasn't too long before I heard the barracks door open and close and the murmuring that started as I walked to my position died down as the NCO walked to his. As he walked up he had his head down, buried in the work required when supervising children all day or something of the nature. Arriving at his position he snapped to attention and habitually called for us to do the same. In what can only be credited to mechanical habit, he did not even look twice in my direction in those initial moments, instead immediately looking to the far side of the formation and slowly scanning. Even again as he visually passed my position he didn't even bat an eyelash and simply proceeded towards the far side of the formation. It wasn't until about halfway between me and the far side that his scan came to a slow stop and reverse, eventually coming to rest on my position. Thus ensued what was apparently a legendary moment the likes of which I heard stories about for a solid year after having arrived at my duty station.

"What... the fuck... is that...?"

*perfect bearing*

"Just... just... get down... just drop... push..."

"Hooah."

And so, in a practiced artform, I went airborne, landing in a perfect front leaning rest position and started pushing.

Now, as we who know, know, in a military training environment it is very simple if not normal for a soldier being smoked to be left to their exercise as the NCO proceeds with the task at hand. However, when said soldier has a command voice born of the diaphragm and is counting the repetitions in Spanish while still wearing a sombrero, it becomes harder to ignore. At this juncture the entire company, of it's own volition mind you, decided to join me in my exercise. I have to admit, while to some extent we pride ourselves on being loud, that instance was the loudest I had, and even to date have, ever heard a company. Indeed we kept the volume up until about the count of ten when all but a Hispanic female next to me didn't know how to say what came next and where she got louder, we all just kind of mumbled. It was around sixteen or so that I saw a training NCO crack for the first time.

"Just... get up... take it off..."

"Alright."

So I got up and took off the sombrero and while I can't recall how or when, I somehow moved from front and center to the back left portion of a hundred some odd man formation. About five minutes passed before seemingly every training NCO on post showed up. After a few minutes of knife hands, "who did it!" and us shuffling the sombrero out of the backside of the formation without so much as the on duty NCO giving me up, everything died down and we all proceeded back inside to bed.

Fast forward to the next day when, hat in hand, I was getting the ticket for my flight home for a couple weeks. While I was in line I was approached by a man, casual dress, nothing of note, who started up a conversation with me. Looking back, he did start the conversation by asking if the sombrero was the new military headgear which I responded to by saying it was simply a present for my sister. We had a short conversation about where I was headed and such and I have to assume at this point that it was the CSM as when he shook my hand at the end of the conversation there was a sergeant major's coin in his hand. And so, the story of my first coin, which I unfortunately lost in subsequent moves, but still the one of which I was the most proud. While I do have other stories that trump that one in terms of stupidity, in terms of ridiculousness that one takes the cake. Hope y'all enjoyed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 7:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 19:21:26 -0400

So I laughed when I read this thread.

So 4 weeks into basic and we just got back from the field. So while In the field I guess there were soldiers using the restroom without digging in and then using toilet paper and putting it on there feces. Anyways, we get back and they start smoking us and asking the soldiers who did it. Anyways, they smoke us for about an hour and then we had to go do something and told us we had a rough 3 minutes to get back to our bunks and change out. So I ran through the grass to get there faster...... and some soldier yelled and and I told him to shut his mouth and get off my **** well it was a drill sgt. Then it was 5 DS all surrounding me and it was a good time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 7:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 19:30:32 -0400

I honestly don't know, all I remember is classes, reinforcement, and more reinforcement, and wanting to sleep.

Response by SGT Daniel Durkovich made Oct 6 at 2019 8:10 PM

SGT Daniel Durkovich — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 20:10:55 -0400

Playing Racquet ball my last week of Basic/AIT with one of my DS Ortiz, I smacked him in the ass with ball while returning a serve. He couldn't sit for a couple of days. While everyone else was getting free time, I got smoked at every turn until graduation.

Response by SSG David Stafne made Nov 8 at 2019 4:29 AM

SSG David Stafne — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 04:29:19 -0500

I had 2 monumental screw ups in Basic/AIT.

During my Mid-cycle Counseling Session my DS asked what I thought about the training, my response, “Day One, Week One on April 1st and every day since then has followed suit.” I got smoked every day for the next 2 weeks.

There’s the danger of thinking out loud. I was also the Platoon Guide (basically the Trainee PSG). Something did go right on morning so as everyone was filing into a classroom the Drills had all 4 PLT Guides doing Push-ups and MTN Climbers for about 2 minutes. Then we heard, “Position of Attention-“ And I thought, “That’s it?” Apparently, I didn’t think out loud but loud enough for every DS to hear. That earned several additional minutes of one-on-one attention with all 8 DSs!

Good Times!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2019 12:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:22:58 -0500

2011 DS’s made it a point the night before movement to FTX to take all the recruit leadership aside and tell them the importance of NOT BEING LATE to the busses. This I would say was overly emphasized.

The following morning the company formed up on time as specified and not a DS to be seen.

15 min pass and nothing.

We assuming we are being tested.

Recruit platoon leadership convinced Recruit 1SG to right face march toward the busses to not be late.

Well, it wasn’t a test. DSs were waiting on a DS that over slept.

DSs caught up to us about a mile away. They were running down the hill in full battle rattle sweating bullets because they technically had and entire BCT marching around unsupervised.

Could you imagine if one of us got hit by a car?

I among my fellow BCT class know what true fear looks like in a DSs eyes when he’s scared for his own hide.

Response by CPT Robert Holden made Nov 8 at 2019 12:26 PM

CPT Robert Holden — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:26:49 -0500

Since it’s been over 30 years I don’t recall anything stupid. But I was 17 in basic so no doubt I said some stupid things .

Response by CPL Shayne Sanchez made Nov 8 at 2019 4:49 PM

CPL Shayne Sanchez — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:49:58 -0500

Since the buffers were running all night I would put in earplugs while in the rack. Of course we also slept on top of the blankets so a tug and pull in the morning and you were good to go. One night a female DS from another platoon was on duty making her rounds. As she passed by my rack she noticed I was on top of the blankets. She wasn't having it.....I woke up being jostled and when I opened my eyes she was in my face yelling. Well I figured she was yelling. Since I had the earplugs in I couldn't hear shit. I held one hand up as to sush her. The other popped out a earplug and I looked at her as to tell her to continue... She flipped...This was at Leonard Wood in '97. If you been there you know what the pit is. She had me rolling left and right for about a half an hour in the fuckin bark, which by the way also had snow covering it.....GOOD TIMES....

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Nov 8 at 2019 5:10 PM

CPT Brad Wilson — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 17:10:37 -0500

When told to push until the Earth moved, being the smartass college boy I was, I informed the DS that the Earth was constantly in motion. I thought I was in shape but quickly found out I wasn’t as tough as I thought

Response by SFC Carl Penrod made Nov 9 at 2019 9:23 AM

SFC Carl Penrod — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 09:23:33 -0500

I was an Artillery Instructor at Ft Sill from 78-80. While pulling SDNCO one night, an older (mid 20’s) female trainee from the STB came in the office about half lit from the 1-2-3 Club. She had turned down an off post pass earlier saying she would stay on post. She reported and said she wanted the pass now. I asked her why now and not earlier. She put her hands on my desk and said because now I want to get laid. Sounded like a good reason to me so I filled it out and gave it to her!

Response by SPC Greg Campbell made Nov 9 at 2019 6:20 PM

SPC Greg Campbell — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 18:20:29 -0500

called my DS 'SIR' 5 min after we met. just the way I was raised S eèer Drill Sargent

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 11 at 2019 1:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 13:09:28 -0500

This was in AIT. I don't remember what infraction we broke, but one of my buddies went to the verdant creek to hide. Apparently it also had poison sumac. A day later his face had many puss dripping sores. He looked wretched.

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made Nov 11 at 2019 6:11 PM

MSgt Stephen Council — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:11:23 -0500

PVT Angelo Velez It wasnt actually me, but it is the funniest thing I witnessed in basic. We were on the drill pad for our final drill inspection. Our drill instructor was a Technical Sergeant named TSgt San Miguel. He was escorting a Sr. Master Sergeant drill instructor. The SMSGT and TSgt San Miguel stopped at the recruit next to me. I was relieved that I wasnt gonna be quizzed. The SMSgt leaned in and asked the kid next to me "who is this standing to my left?". He replied "Sir, Sgt San Miguel, Sir!". Well, that wasnt quite the answer he was looking for, so he leaned back in and asked "and what kind of Sergeant IS Sgt San Miguel?". This kid panicked and replied "Sir, a good one, Sir!". Well this SMSgt was doing everything he could to hold himself together. He stood up, turned his head to the left and said "you are a good sergeant!". He then stepped across and marched right off the drill pad. I assume he had to go get his fecal matter in one containment field, because he didnt come back that day. I was just trying to hold it together and thankful that he didn't decide to grill me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2019 11:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 23:40:02 -0500

Can’t remember what we were doing but I do remember we were red phase and DS D was laying into SPC P. DS D said beat your face and without hesitation SPC P made a fist and punched himself as hard as he possibly could in his face sending his PC flying and leaving everyone stunned as to what had just happened. What happened next still has me floored DS D cracks a smile holding back laughter and turns and asks SPC P are you shitting me did you really just punch yourself? And again without hesitation SPC P loudly states you told me to DRILL SGT!!! I know didn’t happen to me but it had to have been one of the most hilarious things I’d ever seen and if I’m not mistaken SPC P went on to west point and is now a infantry officer somewhere.

Response by PO3 Jason Trahan made Nov 12 at 2019 10:06 AM

PO3 Jason Trahan — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 10:06:32 -0500

I'm from the New Orleans area. It doesn't snow there and I had never seen snow until I went to RTC Great Lakes in the Fall/Winter of 1987. While in formation, I reached out with my tongue to catch a large snowflake. What can I say? I was excited. Needless to say my CC came unglued. Where I really screwed up is when he asked if I liked snow. I sounded off "aye, aye sir!" I then became the "snow" petty officer for the remainder of my time at Great "Mistakes". Every detail that involved snow removal was mine to command- along with 5 of my dearest friends. I was not very popular when the call for snow removal was announced.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Nov 12 at 2019 12:33 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 12:33:14 -0500

While this is late in the retelling, I'm reminded of Basic Training in February 1960, at Fort Knox, KY. I was dispatched one evening to the Orderly Room to buff the floor. I envisioned myself on hands and knees with buffing rags to do the job, but that wasn't the way it worked out.
Upon entering the Orderly Room a corporal told me to "grab that buffer in the corner and get going."

I looked to the corner, saw an unfamiliar tool, and dragged it out and plugged it in. I had no idea how to operate the darned thing so after turning it on (I figured that out easily) I tried to man-handle the beast while it was straight in the upright position. The corporal couldn't stop laughing.
"I'm sorry, Corporal, but I ain't never seen such a beast in all my life nor do I know how to work it," I said in my Southern drawl.

Once he was through laughing, he came over, tripped the release catch, and said, "Now, I don't want to hear any more excuses. Get after it!"
I was fuming all through the buffing and, sad to say, I never saw that corporal again--especially after I had gained some rank.

But I loved how maneuverable that buffer became.

Response by MSgt Jesse Tiede made Dec 6 at 2019 9:57 PM

MSgt Jesse Tiede — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 21:57:55 -0500

The dumbest thing I did was to post my future wife as a Road Guard, and stop my Sister Flight TI, when coming back to the dorms from Town Pass! Fortunately, he saw the sense of posting the safety guard. Yes, I did marry the girl who accompanied me on Town Pass. That was over 47 years ago, and we are still togehter after 3 kids, 8 grandkids, 20 years Active, and 17 years as a DOD civilian!

Response by SSgt Mitchell Parod made Dec 15 at 2019 2:39 PM

SSgt Mitchell Parod — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 14:39:49 -0500

The first time in the chow hall I was extremely nervous and they make you eat quickly and drink all that water. I shoveled the food down and pounded the water. Got up to put my tray away and on my way out the door everything started to come back up. I threw up right there in the chow hall. Nobody saw or said anything, so I just left and went out to formation. I was fearing some retribution but it never happened. Got away with that one. Feel sorry for whoever had to clean it up.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2019 11:49 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 11:49:21 -0500

Sometimes you can do something really stupid and still get away with it.

One weekend at Basic I was playing chess with a fellow trainee when the DI walked in. He said, "Chess, I play that game. Heh, heh, heh."

I said, "Great Drill Sergeant. Maybe we can play sometime. Best 2 out of 3 even."

DI: "I can take you 3 out of 3. Heh, heh, heh." [Yep, you know what happens next.]

Two weekends later he comes in the barracks and I say, "Let's play." Fortunately for me, the game quickly draws a crowd, who watches while I beat him 10 out of 10. The DI is as red as a tomato as he stomps off without a word. I figure the only reason he didn't take me out back and beat the stuffing out of me is that too many people would know why.

P.S. I played on my high school's chess team, and we were the Dallas champions that year.

Response by PFC Eric Womack made Dec 20 at 2019 12:09 PM

PFC Eric Womack — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 12:09:16 -0500

AIT Fort Ord, Ca.
Dumn, finger wrestling. Yeah, middle finger. Would have won, but "snapped my finger". I said it was dumn. Had to finish with a splint on my right hand middle finger.

Response by CDR Rwenschlag@comcast.net Wenschlag made Dec 23 at 2019 9:15 AM

CDR Rwenschlag@comcast.net Wenschlag — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:15:27 -0500

In a naval reserve 90-day boot camp we had a marine SSGT for our military drill instructor He also "coached" our color guard, of which I was a member. On our graduation day the color guard was preparing for the ceremony. I was having trouble with my flag straps, so the SSGT says, "Here Wenschlag, hold my swagger stick, and I'll help you." As he handed it to me I tried to grab it by the brass. He quickly retrieved it before I touched it. He then rapped my knuckles with the swagger stick and said, "Sailor, don't you ever grab a marine's swagger stick by the brass." I guess we learn by experience, don't we?
PS -- By coincidence, a few months later (in 1959) the Commandant of the Marine Corps issued a statement that went something like this, "As Marines, we don't have to prove our manhood or gain respect by carrying a swagger stick. Our honor, courage and commitment will do that for us." While it was not a direct order, within 24 hours every marine NCO and officer in the Corps put the swagger sticks away -- for good."

Response by PO2 Michael Rickey made Dec 26 at 2019 6:44 AM

PO2 Michael Rickey — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 06:44:23 -0500

Enlisted when I was 25. But I did make it through basic. First of all u know nothing. Learn and burn.. Those first four years will go by really fast. Remember always know 3 ways to get out of your bunk area. Salute a lot. Keep your head above water. Oh yea pass the PRT.

Response by Cpl Rob Chenoweth made Dec 28 at 2019 9:12 AM

Cpl Rob Chenoweth — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 09:12:03 -0500

Falling asleep cleaning my rifle. I don’t know how long I was out or how long the DI had been standing over me. I was in the position of inspecting the bore so I went with it an just inserted another bore patch. The DI quietly (I know, didn’t expect that did you) asked the recruiter beside me if I was asleep. - All down hill from there.

I was personally introduced to each DI and platoon in the series. I had the honor of being the quarterdeck act for them during rifle cleaning. From there I was able to continue on auto-pilot for my own platoon until my DI got tired. I couldn’t even do jumping jacks without weaving all over the quarterdeck.

I ended up with the title of quarterdeck king. (The main reason for this was a little cocker spaniel looking DI right out of DI school. His first introduction to the platoon happened to be my once a week quarterdeck stint. Before then I was in the background and everything was smooth. He decided to adopt me as his pet and from his first day I was on the quarterdeck every morning and evening just because he knew my name.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2019 2:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 14:59:55 -0500

Dating a lieutenant.

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Dec 30 at 2019 4:42 PM

SPC Leo Van Groll — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 16:42:11 -0500

When I went to Basic I was in the NG. The last 2 weekends we went to riot training while the RA guys had special weapons training. The day before graduation we stood for the Battalion Commander's inspection. We were told that he would ask each guy a question pertaining to training. I studied everything (I thought) & told everyone how ready I was for this. The LTC gets to me & asks "what is an M203?" I had no idea, so I said "I don't know sir but I will find out". He says "well, go find out". I run up to the barracks & ask a guy from another & he tells me it's a LAW. I go back & the LTC (still standing in the spot I had vacated) asks me again. "WRONG, GO FIND OUT AGAIN" Back to the barracks I go, & luckily I fond a poster with all the M203 specs on it. I go back again & give him the info. & he moves on. Afterwords, the guys gave me shit for hours.

Response by SGT Brian Black made Dec 30 at 2019 5:35 PM

SGT Brian Black — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:35:46 -0500

Basic at Fort McClellan in 84. We had “that guy” in our company. Did JROTC and came in as E-3 and knew everything.

First week and he’s telling the guys in his platoon not to worry, because the Drills can only make you do 10 push ups in the first week. As the biggest, toughest, most hard@$$ Drill in the company walks by.

The DS’s head whipped around like nothing I’d ever seen and he gets a big smile.

“Private! Get down and give me ten!”

“Get up!”

“Get down and give me ten!”

“Get up!”

“Get down and give me ten!”

And so it went. For what seemed like forever. We would all have been rolling on the ground laughing if we hadn’t been so terrified.

Not even the dumbest thing he did. But it made a big impression.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 1 at 2020 6:35 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 18:35:21 -0500

I laughed at the drill sergeants when we were getting off the bus because they were all going around and yelling and screaming at everyone.
I understood what they were doing and seeing it in person was humorous. Right up until I had 4 drill sergeants surrounding me and brimming me with their freshly baked DS hats. That shit hurt.

Response by SFC David S made Jan 6 at 2020 4:09 PM

SFC David S — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:09:22 -0500

i'd have to say it was getting caught smoking while low crawling under the wire during the live fire course. (dumb)

Response by SP5 Rich Goulet made Jan 15 at 2020 12:12 AM

SP5 Rich Goulet — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 00:12:17 -0500

First day of basic. Two DS’s walking 90 degrees opposed. One looks at the other and says you are so tough looking you’re scaring me. I chortled. You can imagine the rest. I think I was more afraid then than I was in Nam.

Response by TSgt John Bonnar made Jan 20 at 2020 10:39 AM

TSgt John Bonnar — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:39:08 -0500

I threw up at the dining table, while three other recruits watched me get sick.

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made Jan 20 at 2020 7:21 PM

A1C Riley Sanders — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 19:21:14 -0500

Learning a lesson in saluting an Officer, I was a hard learner, I had to go around practicing my saluting on the Dempsey dumpsters on Lackland AFB.

Response by Cpl Richard Besser made Feb 1 at 2020 3:17 AM

Cpl Richard Besser — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 03:17:36 -0500

Bumb, dump, dump. Shortly after I arrived in boot camp, a doctor said I was overweight. I was in the entrance to the barracks waiting for transport. I was hot out and I was thirsty. I thought nothing was wrong with me taking a drink from the cooler. I did not know that cooler was the property of my platoons Drill Instructors. Well, he sure let me know I had made the ultimate booboo :(

Response by SFC Kandi Temple made Feb 5 at 2020 8:32 PM

SFC Kandi Temple — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 20:32:23 -0500

I knocked over the Drill Sergeant's sign with my duffel bag, and tried to clumsily put it back together while being swarmed by three DS'. One one each side and the face. I don't remember what they screamed, because I had the fortunate ability to leave my body (disassociate), but needless to day, I never forgot about it.

Response by SSG Rafael Rodriguez made Feb 12 at 2020 10:54 AM

SSG Rafael Rodriguez — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 10:54:31 -0500

Wrote "Drop Me" on my forehead with a camo stick, actually that made them shake their head and left me alone, arms we're getting numb!!!

Response by PO2 Kevin Reynalds made Feb 13 at 2020 1:37 PM

PO2 Kevin Reynalds — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 13:37:53 -0500

On Hell Day, (when all the company CCs attack one recruit company to break them down), I was company yeoman (XO), and was cornered by two female CCs,. Both about a foot shorter and younger than me...( I was a late bloomer. 28 in boot camp). The attempt to break me down, rattle me and push me to the limit didn’t work.. I grinned and probably rolled my eyes. I knew better growing up an army brat, but couldn’t help it. A larger CPO that could look me in the eye would’ve been better. So when the word spread that I wasn’t intimidated by the “ladies” ALL THE OTHER CCs huddled them circled me! Oops! By then I was prepared. It was a foolish reaction on my part, but in the end it payed off. I was promoted to recruit company commander RCPO for the remainder of training. I still smile at the memories.

Response by SSG Ricky Johnson made Feb 19 at 2020 7:18 PM

SSG Ricky Johnson — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 19:18:57 -0500

Not having the sense to keep asking the DI how to make out a DA Form 6.

Response by LCpl Peter Varas made Feb 23 at 2020 7:14 AM

LCpl Peter Varas — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 07:14:43 -0500

Ive got most of you beat. I arrived on Parris Island with a USMC tattoo......

Response by CPL Theodore Moore made Feb 24 at 2020 10:34 AM

CPL Theodore Moore — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 10:34:35 -0500

But honest Drill SGt. I didn't think it was loaded!

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Mar 6 at 2020 3:18 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 15:18:23 -0500

Day One, Induction Day. When after several days at Reception, we were on the bus to Basic Training. In 1988, Cruits drew their TA-50 at Reception, so we were rocking at least two filled and stuffed duffel bags and then I had my ruck frame and my sleeping mat tied loosely to my ruck frame because I did not know what to expect. When the bus rolled up to our Basic Training barracks, the drill sergeant ordered us when the bus stopped to get out with our shit and run to the pad and fall in. Don't stop for anything. Just fall in on the pad.

So, I escaped out the back door with my two arms and four things and make a sprint to the pad. But my sleeping mat falls off my ruck frame and rolls off the pavement into the grass. With eight drill sergeants harassing 60 cruits, I figure I have time to recover my mat and make formation. But this turns into a nightmare as I run to where my mat is on the grass and try to stop to pick it up. But instead with my new boots and all of my gear, I just kick it even further into the grass and away from the pad. I try a second time and I just kick it further away from where I am supposed to be. In a few seconds, I have four drill sergeants ALL AROUND ME screaming at me, dropping me for pushups, fighting for control ("You don't listen to him, Private, YOU LISTEN TO ME!!!! kNOCK OUT 20!!!), and riding my ass the rest of the day as I lost the trust of my platoon mates.

What I should have done was let the mat go and form up with my platoon which is what I was ordered to do. But I didn't and I got SMOKED for the whole day. It was so bad my drill sergeants put me on KP with a different platoon for the second day. This was a wise idea because that platoon had watched me from their barracks and I made friends with a bunch of them. They had arrived to my battery a few days before me and saw the whole thing. Personally, I think I got an advantage from doing KP that second day. Basic was rough at first but by Week 4, I was beginning to enjoy this. I took advantage of chapel on Sundays to take about a 90 minute mental break and restore some faith by attending a service and getting some punch and sugar cookies whenever we could. By Week 6 they made me a squad leader and by the end of Week 8, I was sorry to leave.

I had a slightly rocky start in Germany when Battalion sent me to Wire, which was not my training, but I completed about 3-4 months there, got a secondary MOS through OJT and then transferred to a line battery to do my real job in a firing platoon. Scored two Certificates of Appreciation, a diploma for combat lifesaver training, and an AAM, and secondary MOS for three years of active service. I have no complaints.

Response by SP5 Ann Parris made Mar 11 at 2020 1:55 PM

SP5 Ann Parris — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:55:27 -0400

Screwing up my ankle on a little exercise called the run, dodge, and jump. It hasn't been part of the PT regimen for many, many years, but it involved four horses (wooden kind you use for woodwork), and a ditch dividing them two on each side. You had to run around each horse on one side, jump the ditch, then repeat on the other side, and return. I hit the edge of the ditch on one of my jumps and ended up in a cast. Made it through basic and AIT, but let me tell you doing an about face with a cast is more than a bit tricky.

Response by SPC Douglas Campbell made Mar 13 at 2020 9:54 AM

SPC Douglas Campbell — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:54:23 -0400

I Was Prior Service And This Time I Could Not Stop Grinning I Pushed Ft Sill OK All The Way To South Carolina

Response by SPC Michael Dillon made Mar 13 at 2020 3:29 PM

SPC Michael Dillon — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 15:29:21 -0400

While at Ft. Lee I turned 21. Was able to go out for the weekend. Went to on post bowling alley. Had a few beers till I was swarmed with 3DS from my company. They each bought me a round and sent me back to barracks.

Response by PO2 Rich Phillips made Mar 24 at 2020 8:35 AM

PO2 Rich Phillips — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 08:35:25 -0400

This happened in Navy Boot Camp back in 1974 so I know many things have changed in the military since then. One night during our smoke and coke break our soda machine was broken so me and two buddies decided to leave our floor and go to another companies coke machine and get cokes for ourselves. We pulled it off okay but unknown to us we were seen and reported. During the next mornings muster our CC told us that three boots were seen in another companies area buying cokes and if they didn't step forward the whole company would be punished so of course we stepped forward. That knight we were marched to a drill hall for what was called "Happy Hour" needless to say it was not happy nor one hour. I know you Marine's and Soldiers will laugh when I say it was brutal but it was. For about an hour and a half we ran around with our 03 A3 rifles at port arms, over our head, pushups, sit-ups, back up and running around the drill hall all non stop. I saw guys puking, crying and cursing. The next morning I could barely move, I was so sore and swore I would never disobey an order again. Years later I heard that these Happy Hours were stopped because someone had died.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2020 11:32 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 11:32:08 -0400

You ever seen 80 people carry one pallet at a time

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Apr 10 at 2020 11:55 AM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 11:55:20 -0400

Guy in my unit used to have one of his friends send him Acid to Paris Island, he stuck it behind the postage stamp. He took the stamp off the envelope and licked it. Now why anyone would want to do that in Boot is beyond me, it’s difficult enough as it without tripping. So Fing stupid. Another guy from another Bn it was the 3d Bn I think jumped out a window, or so we heard, another went around telling everyone he was gay. I don’t know how they made out , common sense says at that point your unsuitable for military service if boot affects you to that degree.