What is your most memorable moment from Basic Training?

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 07:04:42 -0400

I ask memorable moment, or it could be the most memorable incident. Mine was getting on the wrong truck after getting some gear. About 6 of us showed up a half hour late to our new Company and the Drill Sergeants were waiting for us. Smoked us for 45 minutes. Ruck sack on the front and duffle bags on the back.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 7:51 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 07:51:11 -0400

On the parade field, on graduation day, my Company Commander 'fell-out' of formation....

(Not exactly 'good' that it happened, but more 'memorable' because it was bizarre and completely unexpected.)

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 11 at 2015 8:08 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 08:08:40 -0400

The first morning we were waken. Trash cans were thrown down the middle of the barracks (after a few hours of sleep) and I'm thinking what the hell did I get myself into! LOL.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 09:54:14 -0400

Fort Jackson's Victory Tower, I've been always a heavy guy so when I had to swing from one side to the other of the tower, it was tough! I tried and failed 7 times, but as they say, "Fall 7 times, get up 8", I gave all in that last 8 and I did it. When I got to the other side I yell, "I WILL NEVER QUIT!" (even though I wanted to quit really bad). It felt great when I made it, it was against all odds. 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member

Note: Picture, is not me.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 11 at 2015 11:03 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 11:03:09 -0400

I was doing Beast Barracks at West Point and would have to do parade on Wednesdays and Sundays. Lots of tourists around. The officers would file out to the parade ground and stand under a canopy. The band played the same music every time. "Here Come the Clowns"

Took about 4 weeks before a clown figured it out.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 2:51 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 14:51:20 -0400

I have so many but keeping it light...
Fort Jackson, SC, June 1991. Graduation day, Full Class A uniform. ((Hot as a mo-fo.))

My battle buddy and I made tracks for last minute trip to local port-o-potty before kicking off Graduation parade. Bugles start, I go to zip it and my zipper busts. My battle, without skipping a beat, yanks out a bobby pin from her perfectly coiffed hair, zigs and zags that bad boy in through my zipper closing it up. And away we go! We giggled all through the parade.

She was like friggin MacGyver!!! It was absolute genius! :)

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Jun 11 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:00:53 -0400

When are DI got lost on our road march and we marched 14 hrs.

Response by SrA Johnathan Kropke made Jun 11 at 2015 3:11 PM

SrA Johnathan Kropke — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:11:03 -0400

Oh so many fun memories, but the best one came at the last day at basic training, we had a trainee who was caught rapping in the chow line by the MSgt that unbussed us. This particular TI then said, well yelled, that he wanted a rap about BMT from this trainee at the end of basic training. On this last day, he came into our dorms for final inspections and sure enough, we hear from our bays in the dayroom, "Airmen X, where is my rap about basic training!!!" All 20 of us left from the flight went running into the dayroom to listen to this rap laughing like crazy that this Airmen was about to rap to a TI. As soon as we got there the TI started laughing hysterically and said "I'm just kidding Airmen" just as the Airmen started to rap about basic.

Best day ever!!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 3:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:17:27 -0400

Fall of 1998. My partner & I were walking to our 'post' for duty guarding the break patio & snack machines. As we were walking we were attacked by a lone TI swimming the open seas of the 343 TRS. We were discussing how we were going to set up our watch.

"AIRMEN!"
pucker factor 10 hit.
"What in the hell are you doing?!"
"Sir, Airman Roberts reports as ordered. We were securing our detail plans to ensure we were successful!"
"Outstanding! Now give me a 341!"

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jun 11 at 2015 3:52 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:52:38 -0400

They day we were in Quonset hut classrooms and had a 5 min break the latrine was around the backside of the building and a 50 yard sprint form there. I turned the corner and run into a Drill Candidate SGT, full force, the only thing that kept him form hitting the ground was my arms wrapped around him.

I brought him back up to vertical and he asked what the rush was and who my DI is? I told him SFC Baker and he sent me off to the latrine. I cam running back to the class room and turned the corner to go into the door and yes SFC Baker was there.

He asked me if it was proper to run over Drill Sergeant Candidates, of course my response No Drill SGT. Then he proceed to tell me how important his candidates were and how wrong it is for a private to touch or hit them. I learned all this while pushing FT Sill closer to Texas for the next hour and missed out on good Army Training LOL

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 7:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:25:42 -0400

We were doing some live fire drills and it was raining something fierce in about 40 degree weather. I went to the latrine to escape the weather and take care of business but, no toilet paper. I was in too deep so I had to scrounge in my pockets for what I could use. I ended up using a glove liner and an empty bag of cough drops. Had the worst case of swamp ass for the remainder of the day.

Response by PO2 Nathan Meyer made Jun 11 at 2015 11:11 PM

PO2 Nathan Meyer — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 23:11:39 -0400

When I ate seconds the morning of the gas chamber. Threw up all over my DS shoes.

Best day ever.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 11:47 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 23:47:19 -0400

My RDCs pulled a Band of Brothers on us - we had an early lunch and were supposed to have our PRT 4 hours later; we went straight from the galley to the track. I don't know if I ever before or again puked as hard as I did at the end of that run.

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Jun 12 at 2015 9:37 AM

SPC Thomas Baldwin — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 09:37:28 -0400

We all had this happen at lest once.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 12 at 2015 11:08 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:08:41 -0400

Back in '67 at Ft. Lewis Wa there was a "reception" area where they parked everyone while we went through assessment testing (Can you find your way in the forest easily?). Then we were bundled up and rolled out to BCT companies. At that point life changed quite dramatically when we met out first Smoky Bear hats. THAT was the most memorable moment!

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Jun 12 at 2015 11:37 AM

LTC Ed Ross — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:37:23 -0400

When I applied for OCS in my 6th week of basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, my senior drill instructor stood up in front of the company formation and said, "Private Ross wants to go to OCS, he want's to be an officer. What a joke. Ross you wouldn't make a good tenth lieutenant much less a second lieutenant." You see, the good SFC and I didn't see eye to eye on just about everything. He was constantly on my back giving me a raft of s**t.

A little more than two years later after graduating from OCS and completing my first tour of duty in Vietnam, I was assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood as a company commander. I sought out my old SDI, also a Vietnam vet, who was still assigned to basic training. Upon receiving a smart salute from him I thanked him for what he did to turn me from a boy into a man and giving me the skills I needed to graduate from OCS and survive combat. Since then, I've always understood why NCOs like that are the backbone of the U.S. Army.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2015 6:21 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 18:21:20 -0400

My favorite moment from Basic Training with the Army was during mail call in about the 6th or 7th week. We had a small company, only about 80 in the entire company and only about 20 in my platoon. SSG Longo was calling names and flinging letters around. He got to one letter and started, "Guil..., Gwill..." I piped up and said "Guilliams, Drill Sergeant, here." He looked at me and said "God (blank), I don't know half you people." I was extremely proud to have stayed under the radar for that long.

Most memorable moment from Navy Officer Training was when those of us who were prior service were telling the newbies what to expect on the first morning. We told them about the early wakeup, the trash cans down the middle of the passageway, etc. We told them to sleep in their PT gear and that they would need to be ready to pop up quick and get their shoes on to get out in the p-way. One of the newbies suggested we just wake up extra early and be waiting for the Senior Cheifs when they came in. It took us a while to make them understand why that would be a VERY BAD idea.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 13 at 2015 7:42 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:42:10 -0400

Ft Benning, Class A's in a cattle truck heading to Columbus to watch a Baseball game, someone spit out the window and it landed on some Generals wives windshield. What followed was an hour of the most grotesque session of grass drills on the side of a busy Interstate that I am happy to say I have ever been part of, happy because it never happened again to me and that it only lasted an hour.

Response by SPC Luis Mendez made Oct 13 at 2015 8:11 PM

SPC Luis Mendez — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:11:43 -0400

I have a couple, one pleasant the other I don't know what to call it.

The pleasant was seen some childhood and HS friends again after 3 to 8 years of not seeing them.

The other unforgettable to this day, 'cause it could have been a gory and tragic accident. It was a DS looking down the barrel of an M14 that had a live round still in the chamber. The trainee was trying to pull the somehow jammed operating rod back. After the round flew out the chamber, the DS scream and yelled at the guy. But those of us who saw the whole thing as it happened, knew it was the DS who was at fault, his (the DS) Super-stupidity could've caused him to have his brains blown out. You just DON'T LOOK DOWN THE BARREL OF A WEAPON being hold by somebody else. Even we basic trainees knew that by the time of Firing Range training.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Oct 13 at 2015 8:17 PM

Cpl Tou Lee Yang — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:17:16 -0400

My was taking cookies from the chow hall and eating it on fire watch. I was always hungry in boot camp and the only way I really got through it was looking forward towards the next meal. I also got caught by a fellow recruit who was one of those recruit on a diet program. He threaten to report me and I told him it's his words against mine and I'll say that he's the one that had the cookie and was eating the cookie, that stopped the reporting conversation. Then he asked to have the last cookie which I refused, instead he brought my last cookie for $20.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 1:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:23:39 -0400

I remember my division being smoked because a recruit got busted with gee dunk from the NEX. On a recent division trip to the NEX, it was put out - you are not authorized to buy x, y and z. Gee dunk being one - well he was busted with a small bag of peanut M&M's. The RDCs proceeded to yell "abandon ship" - which is the signal to push the bunks to the walk and get in the front leaning rest. They had the offender sit in a chair in the middle of the bay, while the rest of us were smoked. The RDC's had him eat his peanut M&Ms, slowly and one by one and the rest of us would pay for it until he finished.

I've never seen 65-70+ men hate an individual so much in my life until that moment.

Response by SGT Christopher Churilla made Oct 14 at 2015 1:34 PM

SGT Christopher Churilla — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:34:25 -0400

Doing the ruck march back from our FTX. I noticed there was a gap in our line up ahead of me, and because of the pride instilled in me by my DS, I broke ranks and filled it in, all this with some seriously aching feet (turns out I was wearing one boot that belonged to someone else, some who had bigger feet than me, and the next day I went to sick call for the blisters).

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Oct 14 at 2015 3:53 PM

1LT William Clardy — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:53:12 -0400

Tough call, but I think the time I royally pissed off another trainee in my squad so much that he threw a wall-locker at me from across the room. Not the only time letting my mouth run ahead of common sense caused trouble, but certainly one of the more memorable ones.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Oct 30 at 2015 2:18 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:18:29 -0400

During second phase at Edson Range. Drill Instructor Sgt. Casanova was taking groups of recruits, four or so at a time, down to the pit. Between one of the iterations another DI from a different platoon beat him to the pit. So he had us filling our cargo pockets with sand and then bringing and dumping it onto the Quarter Deck. When he thought there was sufficient sand in the new pit he started cycling us through his "Rose Garden" as he put it. On top of looking like a bunch of sugar cookies we also got the bonus of having to field day the squad bay because his rose garden really made a mess of the place, or we made a mess of the place with the garden. I don't know. Whatever it was a mess and is one of those experiences I can recall like it was yesterday.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 11:25 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:25:22 -0400

Our TI was going through a divorce so BCT sucked ass. He'd get in a fight with his wife and then come in and take it out on us. Come in at 0200 and sprinkle dirt on the toes of our boots, then wake everyone up and smoke the hell out of us because we had dirty boots. Pull the fire alarm while we were in the showers and make us all run downstairs wrapped in towels. He would come into the barracks and piss all over the urinals right before an inspection. While everyone else rode the cattlecars to IWQ, we got up at 0330 so our flight could march to the range. etc, etc, etc. We had several guys crack under the constant BS. One Sunday after evening chow, this guy was standing at his wall locker, stuck his head in and started slamming the door on his head crying he wanted his mommy. Another kid tripped himself down the stairs and broke his leg. Another guy went into the latrine, bent forward and ran as fast as he could into the shower wall, knocked himself out. I was the Flight Office Technician aka "house mouse" and I spent many an hour escorting guys to the clinic for psych evals. We lost nearly half our flight to washouts and recycles.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 1:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:13:30 -0400

The last few days of basic at lost in the woods, our drill sgt all 6'6" was trying to catch some loafer in the room down the hall from us. That moring we were cleaning our gear for turn in and he walked in, look out at the ledge and said I got the bastards. He slide out our window and walked down the concrete ledge to the next room and let them have it. He finally caught them sleeping, they always had a guard peeking out their door down the hall, never expected him from the window three stories up.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 4:42 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:42:03 -0400

Wasn't me but the one man who got three letter, from three ladies all saying - I am pregnant and you are the daddy.

Two turned out to be false and the third married the girl after basic.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 23 at 2016 7:02 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 07:02:17 -0400

Live fire using tracers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2016 2:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 02:08:56 -0400

A guy I went through MEPS with used the pay phone to call in a red cross message to himself saying that his mother had died. So the SDS immediately went hands off, believing it to be real just like the rest of us. I was in a mixed-gender basic, so of course the majority of the females were all emotional about it and were giving him lots of attention. The SDS personally got the kid's leave form prepped and had made all of the calls to ensure the private would be on the next flight out.
So the SDS calls the kid's home of record, and wouldn't you know it, the mom answered! She thanked him for calling, since she had gotten the phone call from the private that he had been shot by someone going crazy in the barracks! He told her he couldn't talk about it because it was all "G-13 classified".
So the wheels are spinning, the Drill Sergeant figures out the ruse, and proceeds to play it out. He called everyone into the bay, brought the private up to the front, and started saying how he expects to see the private in the next basic training group and thinks that he has a lot of potential. The kid is straight faced and standing firm.
Then the DS drops the FUCKING HAMMER on this kid and talks about how badass he is for surviving being shot by someone rampaging through the barracks and is an inspiration to everyone. We all look confused as balls. The kid is panicked and sweating. The DS continues, saying how he talked to the kid's mother this morning and she can't wait to see him.
Everyone slowly realizes they've been played and you can see the hate just start boiling over like a pot full of tortellini. I'm in the back, chuckling because holy shit this is hilarious and I'm not being smoked.
What followed was every bit of compassion from all those female privates turned into absolute hatred in just a few moments. They were livid and the majority of the males were too at their emotions being played with. Guys had hugged him without even saying "no homo" and how betrayed they felt.
Ended up with the kid being on suicide watch that night. He tried to strangle himself with his dogtags and when the fire guard got the on-duty Drill Sergeant, the private tried to kill himself by smacking his head into the wall locker over and over.
I learned what the blue light was for that night, and how to watch another man go to the bathroom to make sure he didn't try to drown himself in the toilet.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 9:37 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 21:37:31 -0400

Checking out on graduation day.

Response by Joseph Cota made Oct 10 at 2016 7:01 PM

Joseph Cota — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 19:01:22 -0400

Ok, really quick explanation up front... I am listed as civilian because I was injured at MCRD San Diego and was ELS. While I am proud of my time spent at boot and I still feel the Esprit de Corps, I would never want to take anything away from the brothers I made while there by calling myself a veteran.

With that said, I remember vividly coming back from evening chow and finding Mount "Clothesibachi" in the center of the squadbay. On top of the mountain was a padlock knot/ball with all 182 padlocks (2 per recruit, 91 recruits in my platoon). Apparently, our SDI was doing a walk through of the squad bay while we were at chow and found an unsecured footlocker and unlocked all the locks and proceeded to make the rest of the night living hell. Squad leaders and the guide would grab a lock serial #, run out to the pit and call it out, then take the place of that recruit while they unlocked their locks and re-secured their footlockers, the recruit would then return to the squad leader or guide and rinse and repeat. By the time we were done we all looked like gingerbread men, and the DIs still weren't done with us. Field day of the squad bay was done after lights out and via scuzz brush races. We never did actually find out the recruit who left their footlocker unsecured.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2016 11:55 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 23:55:51 -0400

BCT 2011. Girl had just got back from con leave. In locker, ASU inspection with the commander. Commander found "love letters" to and from a male soldier also in training. She'd been in trouble already for sleeping with the guys. Commander screamed at her she was a whore and a waste of the Army's time and money and they never should have sent her back. That was interesting.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 12:07 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 00:07:42 -0400

The "peanut butter bandit" incident. 4 people in our platoon were caught with peanut butter packets in their lockers and were going to be punished. One of them had over 20 packets, so he got the worst punishment. He had to squirt peanut butter into his cover and wear it everywhere, including indoors. He only had to do it for a day, but it was a pretty hilarious way to punish him. He had peanut butter oozing out of his hat everywhere he went.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 1:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:41:25 -0400

I actually have two moments. The first moment happened to be on our way to the gas chamber at Fort Knox. I was there in 96 for Armor OSUT. The DS's were rucking us out to the gas chamber and half way there they stopped the formation gave us a right face and at ease. The SDS start going on about how we were in the final stretch and if we wanted the drills to take it easy on us then we had to make them laugh. A few guys got out front and did their best but only got a little chuckle. I wasn't gonna do anything but my platoon ratted me out that I been doing impersonations of the drills since day one. The drills called me out to post and the senior said alright private make me smile. Since I couldn't turn it down and realized I was smoked no matter what I went ahead and impersonated every drill we had in the company. I was good to the point that the senior asked how I learned to do it to which my reply was I didn't know I have always been able to mimic accents and with enough time I was able to mimic the speech patterns of people. I had the drills rolling the whole time.
My second moment was leaving the gas chamber at Knox. The exit door for the gas chamber is right in front of a tree. 3 feet in front of. The drills brief you that upon exiting the chamber make an immediate left or you'll hit the tree. Well I was briefed and in my haste to leave the chamber I forgot. I couldn't see anything and burst out the door and at full speed face first into this big old oak tree. Worst part. It was caught on video by some group making some video thing on our training. I still have a copy of the VHS they gave me

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 11 at 2016 4:00 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 16:00:04 -0400

Hmm...Don't know if I have a "most" memorable, but here's some highlights:
1. 30AG Reception, about 2 in the morning, we were all woken up by the Drill Sergeant screaming at the two guys he caught having sex in the showers.
2. 30AG Reception, it was September, and the end of the fiscal year was upon us, thus Uncle Sam ran out of money and ran out of toilet paper; however, they still had a well stocked DFAC of napkins. Too bad the idiots who resorted to using their socks--and clogging the toilets--weren't bright enough to grab the napkins at chow.
3. Fireguarding 2 dolts who claimed they were going to "kill" themselves.
3.1 One of those dolts bought a fully loaded Ipod from some guy for $800, had no charger or ear buds, hid it in the ceiling tiles and got busted the SAME DAY. got an Article 15 for his efforts, and never listened to song 1.
3.2 Same dolt, once scored a 10 on his APFT...seriously.
4. Farmed out to our sister platoon who was attacking the training FOB during our FTX, and providing support by fire by sticking the muzzle of my M4 out my hooch (we were camped outside the training FOB as our sister platoon made their attack), while being functionally asleep.
5. The Clinch Drill (noses broken, a jaw broken, I think everybody got messed up to some degree). We weren't allowed to fight back, just suck up the hits and get the clinch. I watched my bunkmate get knocked down 8 times, only to get back up--wobblier each time--and try again. he failed, but it was gutsy.
6. The singular sweat funk of the cattle cars.
7. Had a guy go AWOL because he had bad scoliosis, and should never have been there in the 1st place. He was told the med-board process would take around 8 months, and he was stuck. He ran to Florida, got a civilian lawyer, turned himself in at Pensacola, was returned to us a couple weeks later and was boarded out within a week.
8. The Drill Sergeant showing us how to (try to) knock down a small tree using concussion grenades in a small hallow of the tree. Didn't work.

Response by A1C Wayne Martin made May 21 at 2017 12:15 PM

A1C Wayne Martin — Sun, 21 May 2017 12:15:05 -0400

ON GRADUATION DAY, after parade, one Airman's parents showed up at the flight door. Of course the Dorm guard wasn't having any of that but the idiot spawn of said parents saw them, elbowed the guard out of the way and said "I got this. Mom, dad, come on in!" Our MTI showed up a few minutes later and reamed the kid and his parents in epic fashion. That airman got recycled after he graduated.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 21 at 2017 3:17 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 21 May 2017 15:17:59 -0400

For the last activity of the day, We were crossing a one rope bridge over a small creek. A bunch of officers appeared to watch. Cadre then started loading the rope with trainees, one trainee froze, I hung on - until dropping into the shallow water. In response to 'where's your rifle private', I assumed a diving position and soon found my rifle. Everyone was wet and dirty that night. We took everything into the communal showers for a good washing!

Response by PO2 Ron Gunsolus made May 21 at 2017 6:02 PM

PO2 Ron Gunsolus — Sun, 21 May 2017 18:02:07 -0400

We had a guy that was made recruit section leader, and got all puffed up about it, throwing his new 'authority' around... so right before our big inspection on 1-5 day, I secretly tucked a couple of cough drop wrappers between his perfectly folded shirts... needless to say the company commanders were livid at his unsat locker, and made him put a sheet over his head and crawl through the head and then made him walk up to each of us (while we were all being cycled) screaming at the top of his lungs "WE ALL LIVE IN A PIG STY". Truly... one of the best scenes of my entire life :p

Response by CPL Mark Andersen made May 21 at 2017 6:09 PM

CPL Mark Andersen — Sun, 21 May 2017 18:09:58 -0400

In the mess hall, a private gets a refill of kool-ade, turns around, spills it all over drill sergeant Fabiano's campaign hat. I am guessing, that 32 years later, that poor soul is still doing push-ups in MOPP Level 4 (It was August, at Ft. Leonard Wood).

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 21 at 2017 6:48 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 21 May 2017 18:48:40 -0400

Since my Basic Training,AIT and all battalion and Division training was done at the same place,Ft. Lewis Wa. because the Division was being reactivated and was in fact gearing up for a Germany deployment (Yay) but unfortunately that bad boy Vietnam was our future,anyway we trained for ten months so it would take me quite awhile to come up with my most memorable moment,although the first time we were allowed to go to the donut shop (in company formation of course) in our eighth week of Basic was something after all these years sticks in my mind ,not a big thing,but you almost felt human again,almost!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 21 at 2017 7:35 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 21 May 2017 19:35:48 -0400

I guess it was about the third day when 4 squad leaders and one platoon leader appointments were made and to my great surprise I was given the assignment of squad leader of my platoon. Fours weeks or so later I was once again chosen as a leader, this time Platoon Leader. I really do not understand how the Army made those choices but they did. I was grateful for each one of these assignments. When I arrived in Korea I was immediately advanced to SP4 after having only spent 5 months total military time (that includes 2 30 day leaves!) The 2 leaves was the result of first giving our entire AIT class to Vietnam then when Russia invaded Czechoslovakia we all had order rescinded, sent home, told to await further instruction and then do as told. I was given orders to report to Travis AFB in California and then to a transient unit at Ft. Lewis. From Ft. Lewis we were then PCS'd to Replacement Center, ASCOM, South Korea and away we went for the next 27 months!

Response by SGT Terry Hand made Oct 11 at 2018 12:19 AM

SGT Terry Hand — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:19:11 -0400

I think my best moment was when we were on a road march. I stepped in a hole and broke a bone in my foot. Had to be taken to the TMC where they put me in a wood shoe. Said id be recycled back to this day since i couldnt finish training with my group. The DS were having a feild day with me. My assistant DS suggested i violate profile, wrap my foot with an ace bandage and syck it up and soldier on. During our final road march after the crucible, i could barely walk. The assistant DS stayed on my ass about sucking it up and the guys in ny squad helped carry my gear but by god i finished the march. Both my DS and assistant DS praised my squad and me for not letting me drop out. I was carried the last mile by my squad mates. Thats when we knew we were soldiers!

Response by SGT Terry Hand made Oct 11 at 2018 12:29 AM

SGT Terry Hand — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:29:19 -0400

It was a surreal moment. After we finished, our company Senior Drill came looking for me and my squad. For the first time i saw what being a soldier was about when Senior Drill Coto removed his brown round and told us, "Gentlemen, be proud, being a soldier means leaving no one behind, and doing whatever it takes to complete the task given.". It was then i knew i was a soldier!

Response by SSG William Lammott made Jan 23 at 2019 1:05 AM

SSG William Lammott — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 01:05:10 -0500

Well, when you catch a drill sgt drilling a female recruit on the laundry room has to be the most memorable. Didn’t say anything and basic was a breeze after that.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 10:39 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:39:51 -0500

B 1-50, FT Benning in 2013. DS: "Private (last name), sing the National Anthem!"
Private: "Dwill Sawgent, I ain't neva hewd of that song in my entiyuw life!"
Needless to say, he got us smoked a lot.

Response by SSG Vincent Wilson made Feb 14 at 2019 6:41 PM

SSG Vincent Wilson — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 18:41:42 -0500

One Sunday night some guys were still showering at lights out. This prompted the DS on duty to call a company formation, in the dark, in New Jersey, in late November. Some were in PT uniforms, others in bathrobes with shower shoes, a few in nothing but a towel. We conducted drill and ceremony for over an hour. Best part was the flap flap of the platoon guides shower shoes as he ran back and forth every time the DS called "left face" and "right face". A cold, but funny evening.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 29 at 2019 1:42 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 13:42:16 -0400

On the firing line I could not hit the 200 meter target with my m14. I needed glasses but I was too vain. The dsgt gave me his glasses. I smoked the 200 meter target. So I went to the clinic and got 5 pair. Qualified as a expert.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 11:37 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 11:37:15 -0400

firewatch during USAF BMT and catching two guys from my flight "pleasuring" each other in the latrine after lights out....

Response by SPC Lawrence Graham made Jul 30 at 2019 9:11 AM

SPC Lawrence Graham — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 09:11:14 -0400

graduation Day!

Response by MAJ Michael Hoevelman made Aug 5 at 2019 10:01 PM

MAJ Michael Hoevelman — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 22:01:46 -0400

I, for reasons still unknown to me, was put in charge of our group of recruits traveling from the induction center to basic training. Thst meant I had all the paperwork, meal tickets, etc. When we finally got off the bus around midnight at Lackland I was a man short. One of the guys changed his mind and got off the bus somewhere between Houston and San Antonio. The remainder of that night made me wish it had been me.

Response by PFC Leroy Savoir-Faire made Aug 28 at 2019 11:43 PM

PFC Leroy Savoir-Faire — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 23:43:11 -0400

I am certain the most basic training moment was when we had to march up a steep hill full gear called Misery Hill and down the hill the final obstacle. I felt a sense of pride upon completion.

Response by LTC Warren Miller made Sep 2 at 2019 12:28 PM

LTC Warren Miller — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:28:09 -0400

Mr. Alpha Company, PVT M****. The dirtbag had cycled through all 4 platoons in the company trying to find a platoon where he could successfully train and become a Soldier. Dude got cocky after going through the gas chamber saying it didn’t bother him at all. Yep, a DS heard him. Yep, he got to go back through for “extended training” while every DS in the company scrambled to see through the window. No sympathy from us - just jealous we couldn’t watch too. Have never seen a sight such as him crawling out...nor did I ever again see a PVT who had succeeded in making an enemy of an entire company of soldiers. He got us all smoked a dozen times. Guy deserved it!

Response by SGT Jason Mouret made Sep 5 at 2019 10:33 PM

SGT Jason Mouret — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 22:33:36 -0400

My best memory at Ft.Sill Hot as F@%k Oklahoma. Finding out on day 2 of basic that my Drill Instructor was from the same home town as me. Not a real big town.
I was a sneaky little bastard back then. I wrote a letter to my old homeroom teacher who happened to also be the High School Librarian for the previous 35 years. She did a little research and sent me copies of Drill Sgt. Steve Kennerson's year book photos. Especially the one she blew up for me with his Hugh Afro , LIKE THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL. Every pushup I did for receiving that package, for the look on his face . He made us read our mail out loud to the Plooton called story time. Mine was show and tell. The other Drills gave him so much shit for that. It was great.

Response by MAJ William Smith made Sep 8 at 2019 7:45 PM

MAJ William Smith — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 19:45:58 -0400

1987 - Fort Benning IET - Going through gas chamber and unmasking in pairs. The other private in my pair takes out a contraband camera, hands it to the DS and asks him to take a picture of us. DS says sure. We unmask. DS asks deliberately dumb questions about how to work the camera as we fully experience the CS for an excessive period. PV1 Dumbass never saw his camera again.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 12:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:55:16 -0400

So many I could write a book. One that stands out is falling in with the wrong company. I had to go to dental for a filling the second week, so was a little numb. I saw people falling in outside on my way back to the barracks and did the right thing, I fell in with the company. And not just any company, but HQ. Realized my mistake when everyone was 20 years older than me and had rank on their bdu' s. But a major was cool, corrected me after formation and advised me that if I saw people forming up , just walk behind the formation. Nice guy

Response by Sgt Robert Hellyer made Mar 5 at 2020 1:18 AM

Sgt Robert Hellyer — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 01:18:17 -0500

I was in basic at Lackland AFB in June/July 1967. The memory that comes back to haunt me most often was when i got the phone call from my folks to tell me that my brother had been killed in VN. I know this isn't the kind of thing most people would want to read, or hear about on a thread like this, but it made such an impact on me that I thought I should share it.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Nickerson made Mar 14 at 2020 10:37 PM

1SG Jeffrey Nickerson — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 22:37:35 -0400

Learning that my mother had named me improperly, because Jeffrey Allen was the Senior Drills first and middle name and no goat smelling ass private could possibly have the same name needless to say “front leaning rest...”

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Apr 19 at 2020 8:11 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 20:11:29 -0400

One evening at Fort Knox (F-9-3) (February 1960), I was summoned to the Orderly Room to buff the floor. I had imagined getting on my knees with rags and polishing the floor with Johnson's wax and then a lot of buffing. But no, I was introduced to a buffer! The CQ, a corporal, said, "Get that buffer in the corner and get after it!"
I got it and could start the thing but had no idea how to control it. At first, I buffed with it standing straight-up as I was a transplanted Southerner to Detroit and then to Fort Knox. I had a helluva time keeping the buffer going right until the corporal showed me how to lower the handle and operate accordingly.

I felt dumb as rocks but managed to buff the Orderly Room floor to the CQ's satisfaction.

Response by SGT Michael McKeown made Jun 19 at 2020 10:23 AM

SGT Michael McKeown — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 10:23:44 -0400

Basic at Ft. Bliss, White phase in the desert in New Mexico. We had to do a nine mile march. In front of me was private name Cobb. He was slowing down, I was hitting him in the back of the Ruck with my weapon saying "Pick it up Cobb" He was crying and I smelled like the worst fart ever. I said, "Damn Cobb did you shit in your pants?" His reply "YESSS!" So I passed him by. He got sent home

Response by TSgt Don Dollinger made Jun 22 at 2020 1:49 PM

TSgt Don Dollinger — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 13:49:08 -0400

On guard duty had a Drill Sgt attempt to gain entry with a fake ID that had picture of Mickey Mouse on it. Instead of "entry denied I must refer you to the Orderly Room" I referred him to Disney Land. Found out quickly that not only do Drills have no sense of humor they do have door keys. He told me on graduation day that he got a free beer from his Drill buddies at the NCO Club and would buy me one if he ever saw me again. Lo and behold I ran into him while TDY some years later and he made good on the beer.

Response by CSM Bruce Trego made Jul 27 at 2020 12:01 PM

CSM Bruce Trego — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 12:01:23 -0400

About my 6th week in BCT I had a SGT, assigned in place of a drill due to manpower shortage, ask me if I wanted to hit him (I did want to!). He told me to take a swing because he wanted to kill me! I said NOTHING! I'm still alive and SGT James turned out to be a pretty good guy! After I graduated!

Response by LTC Jerold Kaplan made Jan 31 at 2021 6:01 PM

LTC Jerold Kaplan — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 18:01:15 -0500

As a fully trained surgeon, starting out as a Major, my "Basic Training" was a sixteen day "Welcome to the Army" course. I had studied the AMEDD book and had my insignia perfectly positioned with the carefully measured distances for the insignia including on the garrison cap. Walking in front of The Academy of Health Sciences, I encountered a Sgt with a sleeve full of hash marks. He snapped me a brisk salute which I dutifully returned. As he walked past me he said" Good morning, Sir. Excuse me. Sir, Your hat's on backward, Sir!" I was courteous enough not to turn around as I am sure he was rolling on the ground laughing,

Response by Sgt Ed Allen made Apr 1 at 2021 7:27 AM

Sgt Ed Allen — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:27:47 -0400

There were MANY other memorable things about boot camp. But, I figure this one will definitely be unexpected and different.

While at MCRD San Diego, I received a 30"x30"x30" box at mail call. The Drill Instructors had me open the box so that they could inspect the contents. Turns out, my girlfriend, Elaine, had baked about 20 dozen cookies and sent them with the idea that, if there were enough for all, maybe the Drill Instructors would trash me too much. Normally, if you received ANY kind of treat in the mail, they would force you to eat them in x number of seconds. Failure to do so meant bends and thrusts in the classroom.

In this case, the Drill Instructors moved the box into their hut.

When it was time for the smoking lamp to be lit and all the smokers were having their cigarettes, the Sr Drill Instructor had the rest of us fall in. He then proceeded to give me 2 cookies and each of my fellow recruits got 1.

This went on for several days, until all the cookies were gone. It was amazing to see how many smokers decided that they didn't need to smoke in hopes of getting a cookie instead, but the Drill Instructors simply told them to go have a smoke, the cookies were for the non-smokers only.

Turns out, she was right!

Response by SFC Matt Creath made Apr 3 at 2021 7:32 AM

SFC Matt Creath — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 07:32:42 -0400

Late Fall of 1980 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. We had marched out to somewhere in the woods for the bivouac. As nighttime approached, we broke out our little shelter halves and set them up. As we were doing so, there came a shower of a kind of snow/sleet mix. I had just gotten really snuggly (not to mention dry) in my sleeping bag, thinking "man, I'm glad I'm not out in THAT"...enter SSG Frank Tyson, Drill Instructor. Walking amongst our sleeping area. Speaking from his diaphragm. Loudly. I do not remember the infraction (not important), but I DO remember how much I did NOT want to come out of my sleeping bag...but, of course I (we) did.

Response by SPC Lynda England made Sep 24 at 2021 12:46 AM

SPC Lynda England — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 00:46:51 -0400

Mine was getting the task of washing the white uniform shirts of the ladies in my barracks and finding something in the washer turned them all pink! Drill sgt went to PX got me some powdered bleach and saved the day!

Response by SN Casper Gary made Aug 11 at 2022 2:48 AM

SN Casper Gary — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 02:48:44 -0400

The Hazeing we went through