What is your wildest story from basic training?

2022-08-02T12:04:58-04:00

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Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Aug 2 at 2022 12:32 PM

2022-08-02T12:32:23-04:00

We wer practicing our marching. We were 5 weeks in and I had not had a disciplinary slip (341) pulled as of yet and really never did. However, we were doing flanking maneuvers and I heard left flank we turned, right flank and we turned but the TI's voice kept getting louder and with full expletives. the I heard I said left flank GD! as we didn't hear him as aplane was flying overhead inthepattern. When I turned his TI hat hit me square in the forehead. All I haerd after that is that if Shuttleworth can't close his hands up when he is marchin I am gonna unzip and put my D!(% in it! The I proceeded to get woodpeckered/smoked by him and two other TI's. Guess what...never had a other problem after that.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 2 at 2022 2:30 PM

2022-08-02T14:30:32-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 2 at 2022 4:55 PM

2022-08-02T16:55:02-04:00

Not from MY Basic Training, but from while I was Training NCO for a BCT company.

I was in charge of a detail delivering training aids. We had the training aids and three or four trainees in the back of the truck, and another trainee driving. Traveling down one of the main streets on post, we needed to turn left at the next intersection. I told the driver "Turn left at the red light."

A moment later, we proceeded straight through the intersection without turning. I asked the driver "Why didn't you turn at the light?"

His answer has stayed with me forever as a perfect example of military training...

He answered "But, Sergeant, that light was green."

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Aug 2 at 2022 5:22 PM

2022-08-02T17:22:38-04:00

Sneaking sleep.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Aug 2 at 2022 8:43 PM

2022-08-02T20:43:24-04:00

About five weeks in cycle, members of C-3-1 and the rest of the 3d BCT battalion at Fort Campbell, KY, were told to fall out in khakis whereafter we were marched off to the post theatre. Rumor was we were all being sent to Vietnam as reinforcements. Surprise, surprise, we were actually being treated to a comedic hypnotist show. The highlight for me was when my "battle buddy," Chris Katsafanas, a Pennsylvania based Enlisted Reserve and the back-up Quarterback at Pitt that coming year was, having been selected from the audience, totally and in very animated fashion was completely convinced that he was slow dancing with his favorite movie actress, Natalie Wood. The stage was occupied by about two dozen slow-dancing trainees at the time all of whom were convinced that they were holding in their arms a true Hollywood starlet. At the count of three and the snap of the hypnotist's fingers, several "went flying" so to speak. That night made a lasting impression on me in terms of the power of the human mind.

Response by SGT Malcolm Haynes made Aug 2 at 2022 8:51 PM

2022-08-02T20:51:21-04:00

Ft Fnox Basic

Response by SPC Stiv ChenRobbins made Aug 3 at 2022 7:11 PM

2022-08-03T19:11:59-04:00

I spent Basic making sure nothing "wild" happened. My goal was to leave with as few people knowing I had been there as possible.
A story I tell my non-Service friends that they find entertaining is, during the early days of Basic the cadre sergeant warned that they would occasionally throw a training grenade in our midst, and how to react to it. He said they would never to it into the latrine, for whatever reasons. Being a bit older, I was skeptical so I wasn't surprised when the little metal device came flying into the space just outside the showers, within the latrine. Because I didn't know what else I could do I yelled "Grenade" and soccer kicked it back out the door, then dove into the showers. The sergeant came in and said "Robbins is the only one who survives" or some such.

Response by PO3 JamiSue Moore made Aug 3 at 2022 11:02 PM

2022-08-03T23:02:10-04:00

Eos written on the board in Spanish with colored doodles, rifles in the racks upside down, a girl taking a bubble bath, one crammed in the dryer holding the door, snapping to attention to yell "fuck you" and falling into parade rest during the last BnB inspection.
Daniel's and Stone were an inspiration to us all with that one, but when they kicked out of their heels and helped me finish my final run with a blown out knee...that right there is leadership.

Response by Cpl John Prentiss made Aug 4 at 2022 1:02 AM

2022-08-04T01:02:34-04:00

We had a kid who attempted to slice and dice his wrists the first week we were picked up by our Drill Instructors. In receiving and whined and cried to everyone but to no avail. Of course it was our fault and were thrashed accordingly to sand pit guidelines.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 4 at 2022 8:03 AM

2022-08-04T08:03:04-04:00

Thanks

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2022 7:31 PM

2022-08-07T19:31:35-04:00

Although not from enlisted Basic Training but during the final phase of Warrant Officer Entry Course which is the Officer version. During SERE Training and enjoying Land NAV in the beautiful swamps of the Southern US. Day 3 we got tired of MRE's and called in an order for several Pizzas, which were delivered to our grid co-ordinates! We did get busted though... the TAC Officers couldn't stop laughing and recognized our ability to "Adapt and Overcome" so we were never reprimanded!

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 9 at 2022 4:27 AM

2022-08-09T04:27:07-04:00

I plead the fifth and there were no cell phones at the time. The buildings have been conveniently burned to the ground.

Response by MSgt Cynthia Williams made Aug 10 at 2022 6:01 PM

2022-08-10T18:01:00-04:00

My first week I we were leaving to repot by our beds . I said Admiral Taylor reports. Of course this was AF basic.

Response by CPL Herbert Raprager made Aug 10 at 2022 6:16 PM

2022-08-10T18:16:26-04:00

Sleeping in a cattle shedfor 3 days, then move into barracks being moved to a company area that had been closed and wasn't fit to live in, it had been condem. And also puking guard duty around a big pile of coal

Response by SSG Emily Williams made Aug 10 at 2022 6:19 PM

2022-08-10T18:19:09-04:00

My DS was drunk almost everyday.

Response by Capt Scott Schafer made Aug 10 at 2022 6:25 PM

2022-08-10T18:25:21-04:00

Supply had no Size 7 combat boots by the time my Squadron got there. I did my Survival Training 8000 feet up in the Rockies with dress shoes. I got cellulitis from the damage done to my feet with improper gear. Still a problem.

Response by SrA Laquita Solomon made Aug 10 at 2022 6:30 PM

2022-08-10T18:30:29-04:00

In basic, a couple girls and I were getting our hair done at the shoppette and we got the hair dressers to get us food from Burger King and we ate it in the back and didn’t tell a soul when we got back lol.

Response by PFC Bruce Burnham made Aug 10 at 2022 6:37 PM

2022-08-10T18:37:22-04:00

I was constipated for three days. Not pooping did not bother me, and it all worked out in the end!

Response by SN Tammy Sherrill made Aug 10 at 2022 6:41 PM

2022-08-10T18:41:54-04:00

The first morning there another girl didn’t want to wake up so the CC pulled up the corner of her mattress. She came up swinging. She was still in psych hold when our company graduated.

Response by SN Tammy Sherrill made Aug 10 at 2022 6:43 PM

2022-08-10T18:43:21-04:00

Two recruits were sent back 2 weeks AFTER graduation because they were on liberty, in non-authorized civies. They would have gotten away with it if they wouldn’t have addressed a CC as “sir”.

Response by SN Tammy Sherrill made Aug 10 at 2022 6:44 PM

2022-08-10T18:44:27-04:00

Our company was known as the Crab Queens because so many of the girls ended up with crabs

Response by SN Tammy Sherrill made Aug 10 at 2022 6:45 PM

2022-08-10T18:45:32-04:00

I was in boot over Thanksgiving and Christmas. The laundry petty officers decided to open everyone’s care packages and eat the stuff their families had sent.

Response by SP5 Joseph Coble made Aug 10 at 2022 7:07 PM

2022-08-10T19:07:02-04:00

The first day of BCT our Senior Drill Instructor had us all sit on the grass and asked us if anyone is offended by foul language. Of course, there has to be the one recruit that raises his hand. The SDI has him stand up and he stands inches away from the recruit’s face. He then yelled out swear words for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, he calmly asks if there was anyone else who was offended by foul language. That was 52 years ago and I still can remember that recruit’s face.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Norman made Aug 10 at 2022 7:11 PM

2022-08-10T19:11:08-04:00

1984 Parris Island, SC. While getting dinner in the chow hall, the ball fell off the ice cream machine. Thank God the DI was yelling at other recruits at the other end and unsure where the other DIs were. My entire plate was covered in ice cream the male recruit reached down and grabbed the ball (t rolled across the floor near him) and placed the ball on the machine. He was scared to death like I was. The male Marine was standing there with a tray and a sponge. His DI looked away at another recruit yelling about him, staring at a female. So when I say God was on both sides, I mean it. When it was time to sit down, I was the next recruit to start a new row which meant being away from the DI. Needless to say, I did not get ice cream again.

Response by SPC Emily Gold made Aug 10 at 2022 7:16 PM

2022-08-10T19:16:10-04:00

When I got speared by my drill sergeant and he said tell your uncle I said hi. Turns out he use to be a sheriff deputy in the county where my uncle was sheriff.

Response by SPC Jason Buseman made Aug 10 at 2022 7:17 PM

2022-08-10T19:17:31-04:00

We had some tall skinny dude lock himself in his wall locker one day. When the Drill Sargeants finally got the locker open, he had been eating his t-shirts.

We didn't see him again after that day.

We also had a retread that thought he was going to ease his way through our class to an easy discharge. The drill Sargeant took him the bathroom and remodeled it with his face.

And the last one. We had some reserve e5 drill dargeant come to our class during the gas chamber time. The original drill Sargeant picked him up by his arms and legs and threw him into the gas chamber and held the doors closed on him. He didn't appear to enjoy his welcome to our rotation.

Response by CPO Len Wade made Aug 10 at 2022 7:18 PM

2022-08-10T19:18:48-04:00

I was the RCPO (Recruit Chief Petty Officer) for my Basic Training Company in San Diego, CA.
We were marching across the road to the grinder to do formations before headed to chow. I forgot to post road guards!! My company commander was hiding in his truck behind a tree and saw this. He drove real fast towards the company slammed on brakes , got out and was yelling at me that I killed 25 of his recruits. Scared the crap outta me !! But I didn't get fired !!

Response by CPO Len Wade made Aug 10 at 2022 7:21 PM

2022-08-10T19:21:12-04:00

Response by SFC Leslie Randler made Aug 10 at 2022 7:22 PM

2022-08-10T19:22:05-04:00

Early in BCT, we had a triple stand concertina fence to breach. The D. I. asked us how do we get across? I said, one soldier throws himself on top of the wire and the rest run across his back. "Do it!" says the D. I and they do! It took a bunch of the men quite a bit of time to get me out of that wire. It was early winter in New Jersey and I was wearing a long fabric coat. Needless to say, the coat was a "training loss" but I escaped without a scratch!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2022 7:24 PM

2022-08-10T19:24:32-04:00

While doing land nav, I wound up going through a part of the water and saw a water moccasin swimming near by - I beat feet outta the water and had to start over. During the same course, I saw in the distant on the trail what looked to be a mirage, but it was a damn fox. It saw me and I saw it - screamed and we both ran opposite directions. Needless to say, Land Nav became a memorable event for me!

Response by Sgt Sara Weaver made Aug 10 at 2022 7:26 PM

2022-08-10T19:26:03-04:00

During the first week of Basic Training, during a march from morning chow. The front 6-7 recruits were hit by a car with foggy windows at the H & HS chow hall in Parris Island, SC. USMC, platoon 4040, September 1998.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2022 7:31 PM

2022-08-10T19:31:14-04:00

Basic Training, Fort Knox, KY August 1976
One night on perimeter guard I was set up at the bottom of a shallow ravine, probably close to 15 ft. deep. When we got prepared for the evening there were 4 of us that weren't given blank protectors because they were short. I got into my position and waited. About an hour went by without any problems. Later that night I heard a shuffle in the brush above me, and the sound made it obvious they were coming toward me. I called out "Halt", and they stopped for a fem moments. I heard the shuffling in the brush again, and then called "Halt, or I'll shoot", then I pulled back the charging handle to load a blank. They stopped again for a moment. I heard them shuffling toward me again, so I fired my rifle up toward them. Apparently I hit a Lieutenant across the front of his uniform and under his chin with the powder blast. They left pretty quickly, and in the morning I was asked if I had fired my weapon that night, since there were a few shots that night while on guard from quite a few of us, they weren't certain exactly who had shot the Lieutenant. I answered "yes". They asked me where on the perimeter I was located, and I pointed toward the ravine I was in. The Drill Sargent told me I had done a good job, but told me to never go out without a blank protector, ever again. It seems out of all the areas they tried the most to get through, it had to be mine. And I did exactly what they had trained me to do. I still wonder how badly that Lieutenant was messed up from that shot that night.

Response by SrA Les Shigley made Aug 10 at 2022 7:35 PM

2022-08-10T19:35:35-04:00

Going home on emergency leave for 6 days and having to make up classes on my own

Response by MSG Charles Kaiser made Aug 10 at 2022 7:36 PM

2022-08-10T19:36:25-04:00

In 1972 Fort Dix NJ E 1-2 Two guys Rob the bank and then enlisted into the army to hide out 3/4 of the way through basic training the FBI showed up weird guardians to guys till they were transferred over to the Federal Bureau of investigation never heard from them again

Response by CPL Jason Blackwood made Aug 10 at 2022 7:36 PM

2022-08-10T19:36:44-04:00

When I repelled down a wall.

Response by SSgt Ben Phillips made Aug 10 at 2022 7:38 PM

2022-08-10T19:38:20-04:00

Air Force Basic Training...What should have been cruise control in our final two weeks of our six week BMT, turned into quite the late night event. AB Williams who was our initial Dorm Chief was relieved approximately 10 days into training. He fit into being one of the guys and never had any issues. Then there was AB Green. Green was a good guy albeit quite the jokester. I myself was always one of the last to get to sleep. Insomnia was my closest friend. So anyway this one late night while most everyone was asleep or on their way to sleep, I noticed someone down on all fours crawling on the floor and making a growling noise. I heard someone say, "what the hell are you doing, get back to bed." I looked over and Williams was down on all fours and next to Green's bed. Williams was growling at Green and then said, "Greenie, I'm gonna bite you Greenie!" The new Dorm Chief, Barney, wakes up and runs over yelling, knock it off and get back to bed. The dorm guard comes running over with his flashlight and sure enough William eyes are glazed over and is still growling and frothing at the mouth and threatening to bite Green, who jumped up and is freaking out. Several of us grab Williams and are holding him down. All of a sudden Williams stops fighting closes his eyes and then instantly opens them again as if to awake from a dream. He looks at us and says, "what's up guys?" Apparently not knowing what has happened and an apparent sleepwalking episode of dramatic proportions. Not sure whatever happened to Williams but never graduated with us but his story lives on.

Response by SGT Steve Wooten made Aug 10 at 2022 7:44 PM

2022-08-10T19:44:01-04:00

Hiding under my bunk looking at a center fold. Drill caught me and made me climb in a dumpster to find the whole book.

Response by PO3 Johnny Nissing made Aug 10 at 2022 7:51 PM

2022-08-10T19:51:07-04:00

Back in the day January 1979 Great lakes Illinois winter time all I can share with you on this day August 2022 is basic training is a joke on woke!!!!!!!!!!! Today!!!!!!!

Response by LTC F. Godfrey made Aug 10 at 2022 7:54 PM

2022-08-10T19:54:08-04:00

Basic Training Day #1-The Drill Sergeant told me to go to the paint closet and get some paint for painting our room, so I go to the paint closet and start lifting the cans so I can read to find the right color of paint when one of the cans tops (which was loose) pops off and paint explodes across the closet and pours out the door, as I try to clean it up, I look up to see my Drill Sergeant with the angriest look you can imagine... It was a very long eight weeks from there.

Response by GySgt David Dahman made Aug 10 at 2022 7:55 PM

2022-08-10T19:55:11-04:00

I had a fellow recruit that found out that he was allergic to sand! Strange way to find this out when you are out in the sand box doing leg lifts mountain climbers and bends and thrusts! Poor guy just wanted to be a Marine but when you could spend your time crawling through the sand for a living.

Response by PO3 Kelly Pope made Aug 10 at 2022 7:59 PM

2022-08-10T19:59:03-04:00

I was helping clean my RDC's office during our Saturday morning field day. One of our RDC's was a short angry red-head type guy. On his desk was his collection of military coins, proudly displayed in a custom mahogany case with black velvet lining. One of our division females asked him what they were, so he explained how you could get them from important people for doing odd jobs, buy some in the exchange, and people even traded them sometimes. I was like "like pokemon cards for the military?" His face turned redder than his hair and he was so angry he couldn't get the words out to give me pushups, so he just pointed out the door and I ran for it, lol.

Response by SPC Benjamin Prouty made Aug 10 at 2022 8:00 PM

2022-08-10T20:00:41-04:00

Was placed on a detail with other privates to escort a peer to CID because the guy accidently had $80,000 deposited in their check account that wasn't theirs. They decided to spend it right before shipping out to OSUT at Ft. Lost in the Woods. I guess the Bank wanted their money back. This was back in 2009, company E-787 (The nice space ship barracks). Never knew what happened to the guy...

Response by LTC F. Godfrey made Aug 10 at 2022 8:01 PM

2022-08-10T20:01:28-04:00

Basic Training Day #1 – Drill Sergeant tells me to go to the barracks paint closet and get some white paint for painting our room, so I go to the paint closet and start looking at the stacks of paint cans for the color white when one of the paint cans lids pops-off and green paint starts spilling all over the closet and as the paint pours out of the closet, I start to try wiping it up when I see a pair of boots which were attached to my Drill Sergeant staring at me with the meanest look you never want to see from your Drill Sergeant on Day #1 of Basic… From there, it was the longest eight weeks of my life.

Response by Joseph Driver made Aug 10 at 2022 8:17 PM

2022-08-10T20:17:20-04:00

Well, I went to basic training in Orlando Florida and it was this huge white guy that tried to bully the whole company. And really everyone in the company was afraid of him. Then came along shot day. As we stood in line to take shots....this guy had a fear of needles and he turn into the biggest baby wimp in the company. And all of us was like yeah...we got u now. And he pepped down for the rest of the duration of boot camp. I thought this was kind of funny.

Response by SPC Lora Lee made Aug 10 at 2022 8:20 PM

2022-08-10T20:20:39-04:00

One evening when all of the women in our barracks were in our nighties and ready for bed, the assistant drill sergeant came in drunk. He made us stand beside our bunks and march in place while reciting cadences. I assume someone reported him, because we never saw him again after that.

Response by PFC Michael Williams made Aug 10 at 2022 8:21 PM

2022-08-10T20:21:35-04:00

My training company got to the firing range in the early morning. We were told to get into the hole in the ground. I did not get into that hole with a small animal with it. Maybe a racoon. The guy on the PA told me to it again. I yelled back RACOON IN FOX HOLE. Soon higher uppers came over and shot the animal and got the body out. I did get into the hole and shot well.

Response by SPC Lora Lee made Aug 10 at 2022 8:25 PM

2022-08-10T20:25:55-04:00

Response by SPC Sabrina Hilliard made Aug 10 at 2022 8:29 PM

2022-08-10T20:29:40-04:00

When I was in basic training, we were doing grenade training. We were lined up laying in the prone position waiting for instruction. Once the call was given the soldier next to me pulled her pin and let go of the grenade. It rolled on the ground and hit my leg. I grabbed that grenade and tossed it. Craziness!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2022 8:47 PM

2022-08-10T20:47:52-04:00

I went to medical for chaffed dick

Response by Sgt Steven Jackson made Aug 10 at 2022 8:48 PM

2022-08-10T20:48:11-04:00

The wildest story I can remember from basic training is going to the rifle range to fire M-16s with only toilet paper in our ears.

Response by SGT Jason Vezina made Aug 10 at 2022 8:52 PM

2022-08-10T20:52:16-04:00

Having Freestyle Rapping Cipher With Fellow Privates In The Wee Hours Of The Morning In Zero Degree Weather (Fort Knox In February) After 12 Mile Road March Up And Down Misery And Agony (Watching Privates Roll Downhill In Full Battle Rattle) And Setting Up For BIVWAC. It Was A Rager!:)

Response by A1C Charles Brooks made Aug 10 at 2022 9:00 PM

2022-08-10T21:00:48-04:00

In 1972 during Air Force basic training every AB is required to carry a completed form 341 Excellence/Discrepancy in their breast pocket at all times. Every time we left the barracks the last man down the stairs always got a 341. About a week into training our "Gomer" shaved after the latrine was cleaned and closed. When we mustered out to formation Gomer was the last man down the stairs. Our TI asked for three 341's, One for shaving after latrine was closed, another for not shaving close enough, and the third for being the last man down the stairs. He caught hell for the duration of basic.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2022 9:04 PM

2022-08-10T21:04:26-04:00

My basic training was at Fort Riley Kansas in February of 1961.As you know, it can get very cold in Kansas in February . How cold was it ?? We were on the firing range and we were required to sleep in our little pup tents. The temperature was at a -20 below zero. The wind was ruthless. Camped next to me was a guy who was so desperate to keep warm that he started a fire in his steel pot helmet. An NCO saw smoke coming out of the tent, ran to the tent, reached inside, grabbed the kid by the shirt and threw him out into the snow. We later heard that he was discharged because of some other crazy things that he did. It was so cold, that instead of walking to the latrine to piss, we pissed in our canteen cup. In the morning we would knock out the ice, rinse out the cup and fill it with coffee. Crazy huh?
That's my story.

Response by SrA Tom Stewart made Aug 10 at 2022 9:08 PM

2022-08-10T21:08:13-04:00

I was an Airman Basic at the time on what is called Dorm Guard at Lackland Air Force Base outside of San Antonio Texas. Each Airman Basic had a scheduled time of 2 hours of Dorm Gard.. One day as I was on Dorm Guard a Sargent came up to the door and started yelling at me to open up the door and let him into the dorm. There is a process of asking for 2 different types of ID to let someone in to the dorm. He kept yelling and what kind of trouble I would be in if I didn’t let him in. He finally showed the proper ID and then I let him in to the dorm. He commended me for doing the right thing and that I went through the right process of allowing someone. into the dorm.It was just a test and I passed it. I could have been thrown into the brig if I failed the test.

Response by SP5 Dawn Adams made Aug 10 at 2022 9:15 PM

2022-08-10T21:15:33-04:00

Fort Jackson South Caroline 1991. We were out on our week in the field before graduation. We were digging fox holes cleaning up trenches ect. All a sudden my battle buddy taps me and says "look" and points out in front of us. Two drill sergeants were carrying a massive snake that was dead it was so long it took two of them. A few minutes later I heard a soldier screaming and the drill sergeants laughing. She packed up a bad and took off running and crying. Everyone was a bit shocked. It took the drill sergeants quite a while to find the poor soldier. Story goes they threw the snake on the soldier. Obviously they knew she was scared of snakes.

Response by SPC Cahneewah Hotter made Aug 10 at 2022 9:17 PM

2022-08-10T21:17:48-04:00

I was at Fort Jackson for basic training, in June. We were doing a ruck march and the drill sergeants decide we needed some weapon pt. After about 15 minutes we were all smoked. Another soldier acted like he passed out from heat exhaustion to give us a break. Not all heroes wear capes! Maurice James III, I miss you. After he got out of the Army he moved to California. He disappeared and has never been found. I have never met another person like him.

Response by 1stSgt Joe Grobleski made Aug 10 at 2022 9:26 PM

2022-08-10T21:26:36-04:00

I joined the Air Force in 1961 under the "Buddy Plan"! We traveled by air from Trenton, N.J. to Lackland AFB. Upon arrival at the base from the airport we departed the bus my "Buddy" was instructed to go to the RIGHT! I was right behind him and assumed I was going that way, BUT told to go to the LEFT! END of "Buddy Plan" and never got to see him again till 2018 when somehow he sent me an email. Needless to say I visited him at his home after ONLY 57 years! WHAT a "Buddy Plan"!

Response by SGT Michael Brand made Aug 10 at 2022 9:29 PM

2022-08-10T21:29:59-04:00

Not necessarily a "wild" story, but I'll always remember my first train trip ever from Indianapolis to Ft. Dix, NJ, for BCT. A big adventure for a farm boy from rural southern Indiana!

Response by Sgt Julie Weidner made Aug 10 at 2022 9:47 PM

2022-08-10T21:47:06-04:00

It was the last day of boot camp. I was walking back to base with some friends. My drill instructor cam driving by and just by instinct I waved. A little while later back at the base I got called into the drill instructor’s office where she informed me I was never to wave at her. That she was not my friend.

Response by CPL Christopher Jones made Aug 10 at 2022 9:49 PM

2022-08-10T21:49:27-04:00

Drill se3

Response by CPL Christopher Jones made Aug 10 at 2022 9:50 PM

2022-08-10T21:50:44-04:00

Drill Sargent

Response by PO3 Dan Patterson made Aug 10 at 2022 9:54 PM

2022-08-10T21:54:50-04:00

Parade day practice they asked for the spokes person from each division to come up but I heard shortest person, So I stroll up and give a speech that I had no idea what to say a few people in our division got in trouble so we lost points so i went on about how they didn't mean a thing and we were the best, etc.

Response by PO2 Jim Moore made Aug 10 at 2022 9:55 PM

2022-08-10T21:55:06-04:00

It was March 1964 at Great Lakes Training Center, in Chicago, Ill. Boot Camp was a real shocker to me. I was always tired and to my luck I spotted several mattresses stacked against a wall. I managed to crawl between them and was sleeping like a baby. All of sudden I was drenched with water. Yep, they found me and I was soaking wet. However, that was not the end. First they made me talk to a tree in front of the whole squadron. That was not enough so they gave me a shovel and told me to shovel all the snow off the grass in front of the barracks. Needless to say, I was frozen because of the water they threw on me. That lasted for a couple of hours. That night I became very ill. My temperature was 103 and climbing. To get my temperature down they put me a tub of cold water. I had pneumonia and something else I can't remember. I was in sick bay for four days before I recovered. At least I got some sleep while recovering.

Response by TSgt Moses Martinez made Aug 10 at 2022 9:55 PM

2022-08-10T21:55:47-04:00

Assigned as flight laundry detail slave and riding inside of a clothes dryer to test gravity principles in hopes of becoming a future astronaut.

Response by Cpl Anthony Starcevic made Aug 10 at 2022 10:12 PM

2022-08-10T22:12:56-04:00

i WAS THE PLATOON GUIDEON.NOT TO MENTION JOINING THE ALL MARINE CORPS BOXING TEAM AFTER BOOT.
DURING QUALIFYING AT 'RIFLE RANGE THE TWO DI'S AND PLATOON COMMANDER 'ORDERED' ME TO MEET THEM AT THE BARRACKS.....ONCE THERE, THEY OFFERED ME A COLD BEER!!WE TALKED ALL ABOUT BOXING AND JOINING THE ALL USMC TEAM...BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I EVEN HAD A SECOND BEER!! BUUUUT, NEXT AM. IT WAS BUSSINESS AS USUAL, AND YESTERDAY DID NOT HAPPEN. CRAZY HUH?!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2022 10:27 PM

2022-08-10T22:27:39-04:00

Picture it 2017. The plains of Fort Sill, OK empty as it is hot. You’ve finally made it past reception, and are being bussed the small distance from the reception area to the real basic area.
I remember the bus stopping and shark attack beginning. Being herded out and DS G and another DS yelling at us. The panic as we had our green bags piled up and told we had like 2 minutes to get our bags or get smoked. Herd mentality created a stampede of panic, think the Lion King. I remember the faintest glimpse of a face in terror and a yelp, POV of our unfortunate Mufasa literally trampled. But remember we have to get our bags folks. So I did- and we fast forward a week. The face of the soldier who was trampled and in my Platoon suddenly gained popularity because she kept struggling- she was injured but played it off. It wasn’t until she was forced to go to sick call- we all found she broke her hip. And FOUGHT to try to stay in with a broken hip. I know it’s not right but to this day I think of that experience lol.

Response by Capt Sylvia DeBorger made Aug 10 at 2022 10:35 PM

2022-08-10T22:35:12-04:00

Sleeping on top of the covers so I wouldn't have to remake the bed each morning.

Response by SPC Joel Halverson made Aug 10 at 2022 10:35 PM

2022-08-10T22:35:46-04:00

Sneaking a nap in plain sight.

Response by MAJ Marisela Santana made Aug 10 at 2022 10:36 PM

2022-08-10T22:36:40-04:00

I completed Basic with an undiagnosed bilateral pelvic fracture & right knee fracture. They still hurt when it rains.

Response by SPC Lawrence Larsen made Aug 10 at 2022 10:38 PM

2022-08-10T22:38:59-04:00

1966 Basic Training.

During the 7th week of 8 week Basic Training there was a final all day test for they Company including shooting, hand to hand, obstacle course and a number of written tests.

The next day was practicing marching for they "graduation".
I hadn't been feeling well for the past week or so. The next day I went on sick call since I couldn't stay awake.

At they evaluation site the medics took my temperature. After a few minutes they brought me into another room and took my temp again. 104!!

They had me take a bus in the snow to the base hospital where after waiting in a hallway for 2 hours they admitted me with pneumonia. I slept for three days.

The following week, after the graduation, the 2nd Lt. came to see me with a sheepish grin on his face.

The story;
Apparently I had won the Scholarship award for the full day test. The 1st. and 2nd. Lts. We're afraid to tell the General that the award winner was in the hospital with pneumonia so they found a guy about my size in the platoon, broke into my locker. took my class A jacket and had him impersonate me to receive the award.

Because of the delay. I was sent to a generator class instead of the machinest class enlisted for.

Response by Amn Carl Ponto made Aug 10 at 2022 10:49 PM

2022-08-10T22:49:55-04:00

During basic at Lackland AFB in Texas (1965), we were required to grab a rope tossed to us and swing across a pool of water. This required that the boot ahead of you swung the rope back properly so that the next boot could grab it and swing across. Meanwhile, the drill instructor was urging everyone on to keep up the pace. As I ran forward to catch the rope, I discovered that it wasn't there at the edge when I arrived and I jumped forward into the water anyhow. It was not only very embarrassing but I lost my eyeglasses in the water and spent the next few days doing the best I could with limited vision.

Response by SGT Lori Iversen made Aug 10 at 2022 10:50 PM

2022-08-10T22:50:27-04:00

1991 Fort McClellan, on KP duty. It was that or church with the Evangelicals. I decided I would take a previously proportioned dessert plate from the stacks of desserts. I would tuck it under my arm or, yes down the front of my bdu pants (the desserts were individually wrapped on plates with Saran Wrap).
I would sneak into the bathroom and enjoy every bite of the dessert. Then I would discretely wrap the plate in toilet paper and stuff it in the trash.
I did this no less than 10 times while there from May-September! I often wondered if anyone found the count wrong.

Response by AN Daniel C Begay made Aug 10 at 2022 10:59 PM

2022-08-10T22:59:20-04:00

Having our drill instructor abandon us and we had to fend for ourselves for the last four weeks. Of course he came back on Graduation day.

Response by SPC Andrea Curtis made Aug 10 at 2022 11:02 PM

2022-08-10T23:02:18-04:00

As we were entering the bus to go to training, the drill sgts kept telling us to put our faces in our duffle bags. I looked up once and a female drill saw me & started immediately screaming at me along with every other drill Sgt. It was petrifing at 19 yrs old to be the center of attention & off to a very bad start of my first day.

Response by SSgt Larry Bradley made Aug 10 at 2022 11:04 PM

2022-08-10T23:04:57-04:00

SSGT Larry Allen Bradley. I joined the Marines In early 1962. I took Basic Training at MCRD San Diego, stating in the summer of 1962. I weighed 128 pounds and was assigned to Platon 151 under the leadership of SSGT Cockren. He was a black Marine from Arkansas. He was one of the very few black Marines at the Depot. He liked my can-do attitude and positive spirit. He once told me that "Giving me a compliment was like pouring gasoline on a fire". I liked that quote so much that I had it tattooed to my left arm, right under the Globe and Anchor.

Response by PO3 Lily Robertson made Aug 10 at 2022 11:15 PM

2022-08-10T23:15:40-04:00

We were sitting around after hours, shining our boots, and talking about what we did before. My bunkmate, Spanky, said, "This sounds dumb, but i was Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.". I said, "I thought i recognized you!".

Response by PO2 Donna Miller made Aug 10 at 2022 11:15 PM

2022-08-10T23:15:44-04:00

In 1989, RTC Orlando, K016 - “surf and turf”. For the US Navy’s birthday. A recruit across the table from me took a fork to her wrist….she was taken out of the mess hall while the rest of us eyed her tray until someone called “dibs!”

Response by SP5 Richard Ennis made Aug 10 at 2022 11:26 PM

2022-08-10T23:26:45-04:00

I was told to stay off the grass, and stepped off the sidewalk onto the grass. I had to face a tree and apologize for walking on his grass !

Response by SFC Rube Dowell made Aug 10 at 2022 11:28 PM

2022-08-10T23:28:25-04:00

We were digging foxholes as part of our field phase. My battle buddy and I switched digging. He got out of the foxhole and took a drink from his canteen. He noticed a lizard climbing a nearby tree. It was about 4 inches long from head to tail. He said, “Hey, look what I found!” Out of nowhere he grabbed the lizard by the tail and slid the lizard down his throat and ate it. I about lost my MRE!!! I asked him why he would do that? His reply, “I like how it tickles as it goes down!”

Response by SSG Douglas Mayne made Aug 10 at 2022 11:32 PM

2022-08-10T23:32:35-04:00

During my basic training I was able to Impersonate my drill sergeant perfectly. I sounded just like him Southern accent and all.. It was right towards the end of basic and AIT. And there was a competition going on within the company to see Who would be the best platoon of the company.. The grating was gonna be on APT test a dress inspection A-weapons inspection inspection and what platoon Stood out the most at the end of the ceremony And competition.. That night before I was the CQ runner.. The person in charge was my drill Corporal... My drill Corporal and I had a great bond with each other we had really become brothers in arms. I suggested to him how I knew we could win the competition tomorrow.. And he asked me to explain how.. I proceeded to tell him that sergeant Hoffman was off for the night and is nowhere on base however because I sound just like him.. I can get the whole company except for our platoon knocking out pushin knocking out push UPS and sit UPS and cleaning the barracks all night long.. And I'll do this over the PA system they'll be too exhausted in the morning for the PT test they'll come out looking like a bunch of bums meanwhile ameanwhile our platoon will get plenty of sleep plenty of plenty of rest and I'll make sure when I return to the barracks that everybody gets up and looks as sharp as attack in the morning for inspection.. He couldn't stop laughing you said you think you could pull that off I said I know I can I sound just like sergeant Hoffman and I'll get them knocking it out all night long... So needless to say 1st 2nd and 3rd platoon was working out and cleaning and spit shining and polishing the floors all night long while 4th platoon my platoon my platoon was fast asleep in their racks and woke up brighten early in the morning completely ready for inspection.. And all the other platoons came out looking at as ragged as goats.. Needless to say we won the competition we got our banner everyone got a metal And I caught a little heat because my platoon knew I could impersonate sergeant Hoffman however the rest of the company didn't. Yet somehow sergeant Hoffman that night showed up miraculously on base even though he wasn't and had the company working their asses off Except for 4th platoon. The other sergeants were pretty pissed but they had no one to pin it on... And the company commander got a big chuckle out of it even though I did catch a little heat for it it was worth it completely

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Aug 10 at 2022 11:32 PM

2022-08-10T23:32:37-04:00

Getting out of it early! While in high school I was a Navy Sea Cadet. Back in those days we went to USNR Boot Camp at Great Lakes and the next summer I spent 2 weeks on the USS Lexington. Sometime in my senior year of high school, my whole head changed: I was bored to be a Personnelman and decided I wanted to be a Hospital Corpsman. A Navy Reserve recruiter informed me that I would skip Boot Camp and go right to Class A School and then to Fleet Marine School and then it would be a direct flight to the DMZ in Vietnam. The fact that the life expectancy of a Corpsman was about 3 months. What bothered me is that I knew that I would not be physically effective with my 6’3” frame and 128lbs body couldn’t and shouldn’t be responsible for evacuating Marines….So, I enlisted in the Air Force.

This is where I started seeing God in my life. I was in AF Basic Training and after about a week I reported to my Drill Sergeant privately and informed him of my background. He asked why I didn’t inform him of my military training, I reminded him that he never asked. When he asked why I didn’t volunteer, I gave him a knowing look that he caught right away and smiled. He said he would set me up with the Final Written Exam, PT qualifying and a day at the rifle range. I aced the written exam, barely made the PT qualifying, and had more holes in my target than rounds in my M-16. I haven’t touched a gun since that day in June of 1971.

Crazy follow up. When I arrived at my duty station at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (Tucson) I did a records review in the CBPO and came across a Security Clearance and my AFSC was not the one I held….I called the personnel guy over and asked him what this AFSC was, and he indicated “I guess you used to be Security Police, right?” Then we figured it out that my entire flight that I started Basic Training became Security Police….WOW, I got my orders and was a medic for my 4 years in the emergency room and ambulance service. That led to 20 years of practice as a Paramedic in civilian life (I challenged the exam, as I documented my Air Force experience as at least equivalent…so they let me take the exam and oral board and I passed with great joy). Instead of going to Physician Assistant school, I accepted a teaching position at the community college where I was already teaching as an adjunct faculty. I got my degrees while I taught full-time and then things got real crazy, but that is for another day.

God bless each and every one of you who served in the military. Thanks for letting me post here on RP!

Response by SPC Albert Demelis made Aug 10 at 2022 11:33 PM

2022-08-10T23:33:48-04:00

I had my basic at Fort Ord, CA. Me and a few of the guy wanted to go to Monterey. Just so happens we took a soldier we called "Little John". He wanted to find a HOOKER. He and i talked about his hooker experience. He was a little slow, but a good man just horny. A few days later at reveille I see Little John with a look on his face i had never seen, it was the look of pain. He immediately came to me. i told him he had caught the Clap (gonorrhea) i sent him to Med call. I saw him many years later and we laughed about it and how life had been. AIRBORNE

Response by TSgt Ramonita Murillo made Aug 10 at 2022 11:36 PM

2022-08-10T23:36:54-04:00

My TI had me carry a rock in my left hand for 11 weeks so I could tell my left from my right..

Response by MSgt John Uhas made Aug 10 at 2022 11:49 PM

2022-08-10T23:49:43-04:00

zi was door guard at a barracks. An e-9 came in and wouldn't sign in, which was required. When he went to leave I confronted him to sign in and out. He wanted to know what I would do if he didn't. I gold him I would holler 10 Men. He wanted to know what good that would do and I told him I would be with them. He laughed and signed in and out. The TI came down to chew me out and saw the two signatures, and went back upstairs.

Response by CPT Stephen Feldman made Aug 10 at 2022 11:51 PM

2022-08-10T23:51:51-04:00

I was a basic training company commander in 1972. During one cycle I had a group of reserves going through basic training. We were 7 weeks into an 8 week training cycle, one of the trainees went AWOL. All the hard training had already been com completed! This guy had a PHD in chemistry and was going into a unit that working with chemicals where he would have been one of the most highly educated in the unit if not the most. I never understood why he would throw his life away but he die.

Response by SPC John Wallace made Aug 11 at 2022 12:12 AM

2022-08-11T00:12:38-04:00

It was qualification day for BRM on the range at Ft. Lost-In-The-Woods, MO. If I recall correctly from March 1978, we had 40 targets, ranging from 100-300 yards. Three positions were prone, standing, and last, in a foxhole. I’d been shooting since childhood. I shot the first set and everything went down. Good. Second set, I think fine. Down in the foxhole. I’m hitting targets popping up at varied distances, not knowing exactly what I’d hit or missed. I’m done. I turn around and the commanding general, brigade commander, my company commander, and my drill sergeant were standing behind me after a perfect score. I didn’t know if I should salute in the hole, scramble out and salute, salute and scramble out and salute, or just salute and crap my pants. At graduation, receiving the award on stage, the commanding general asked me , “Did you hunt squirrels as a kid, son?” I answered “all due respects, sir, you bet your ass!”

Response by Sgt Daniel Hurley made Aug 11 at 2022 12:17 AM

2022-08-11T00:17:17-04:00

air force lackland afb texas
our flight was scheduled to run the obsticle course in a few weeks. we did not want anyone to fall out and not complete the course. everyone was gung-ho to run it. we volantaryly trained far above what was required of us. the weakest of us could run in place for 30 minutes.
when the day came for us to run it we were told that after all that extra training we could not run it
WHAT!!!!!
THE REASON WAS THAT IT HAD RAINED 2 DAYS PRIOR and the course was muddy. we wore mad as hell but no amount of complaining or arguing did any good.
extreme disapointment like any reall deployment would be cancled because of a little mud.

Response by SP5 Raymond Gonzales made Aug 11 at 2022 12:29 AM

2022-08-11T00:29:13-04:00

The hair cuts this was amazing we all looked alike, even if we were different colors, we were a team, all sameness, Army’s green machine, back in 1968 Ft Bliss Tx

Response by FN Joe Ulman made Aug 11 at 2022 12:30 AM

2022-08-11T00:30:35-04:00

Being close to 70 now, I still remember this like it was yesterday. My basic training was completed in San Diego before being sent to Great Lakes for schooling. A week before graduation me and two other recruits decided to sneak off the base and party all night with some girls that that one of the other guys knew. We thought we had it all worked out as we were going to sneak along the river banks to get out. Long story short about 1/2 way to freedom a patrol boat came out of nowhere and lit the place up and caught us. Needless to say i got set back to day 1 and had to start over. Since I knew the drills already I was allowed to carry the sword and lead the platoon for the remainder of my time, /

Response by CPL Jialiang Chen made Aug 11 at 2022 12:37 AM

2022-08-11T00:37:28-04:00

During the final day of BCT, one guy confessed he made couple hundred by selling contraband...

Response by SFC Doug Evans made Aug 11 at 2022 12:38 AM

2022-08-11T00:38:03-04:00

The night before weapons qual, we were called into the squad bay. I was in the shower and we were told to report immediately. So I wrapped my towel around my waist and hurried down to the bay. Approx 50 of us were crammed into the room sitting on the floor or whatever was available. One of our senior drills was talking and asking questions while one of our "2nd cycle" drills was standing in the doorway. I was called on to answer and question so I stood up and went to parade rest and began answering. Suddenly, I felt my towel beginning to slip. Just as it went, I reached for it, too late! It dropped to the floor and there I stood. The senior drill was speechless for what seemed like 15-20 seconds and I could see the 2nd Cycle drill out of the corner of my eye. He was doubled over laughing in the hallway! The senior drill finally (while trying to keep a straight face) told me to pick up my towel and sit back down while the rest of the room started laughing! Broke the tension for the evening!

Response by CPL Dewayne Stafford made Aug 11 at 2022 1:02 AM

2022-08-11T01:02:38-04:00

I guess that would be Handguernade corse. 1978-1979 taining. It was winter time and we were to go through a course in the trees throwing handgurnades at target areas. We got to the course unloaded from the cattle trailer trucks. DI had us walking around a bunch of mess tents, First-aid and warm up tent in case it got too cold. It was snowing with a low temperature of around 6 degrees with a light wind. While the DI's were in the mess tent with their coffee nice and cozy going over their game plan for us a Blue Northern moved in and the temperature dropped dramatically with a high wind behind it, the temp dropped to about 45 to 50 below zero which also brought sleet mixed with snow. We were turning into walking popsycles. The senior Drill called the trucks back to come and pick us up. Unfortunately for us they were already on another run and the wait was about an hour and a half to two hours. The ground was frozen and the sleet was like walking on little ballbearings or BB's. When we got loaded up and crammed in the trucks like cattle the roads had frozen over and the journey back to the barricks took twice as long. Mind you we were cold/frozen already, but now we were sitting still in a cattle trailer/truck. No movement to keep our bloood circulating led to us being even colder than we were outside marching around. Needless to say the day after several were down sick with colds, fever, or the verge of phemonia. We didn't blame the DI's but we did blame the weatherman. There was supposed to be a break in the clouds with a little sunshine. Boy did he get it wrong. Bald heads under a steel pot is next to impossible to keep warm and the toes hurt for days. No one had frostbite, thank God for that. An experience to last a lifetime.

Response by SPC George Epps made Aug 11 at 2022 1:05 AM

2022-08-11T01:05:21-04:00

Pizza Party in empty bay, but as we hiding the pizza box, we found out , others had same idea.

Response by CPL Linda Sauseda made Aug 11 at 2022 1:19 AM

2022-08-11T01:19:04-04:00

Well the female bay I was sleeping in were told to get to bed. After the lights were out I went to sleep for a bit then I got up and started to write a letter to my kids. Two females were fire watch however one of them got dressed and reported for duty and about 10 minutes late one of the girl told the other she was going to the bathroom. And instead went back to bed leaving one at the besk. The drill sargent should up banging on the door. Well only one was there as I watched she did what she had to do. And got in trouble for something I don't remember what. So the next morning I told another drill sargent what happened and when she asked how I knew I had to tell her I was breaking the rules as well because I wasn't asleep like I was supposed to. Long story short I was thanked for being honest about the whole situation.

Response by PO2 Paul Kelley made Aug 11 at 2022 1:31 AM

2022-08-11T01:31:43-04:00

During barracks inspections the inspector would run his fingers along the top sheet to insure the bed had been made with the catch edge down as required. If the catch edge was up his fingers would catch on it and you failed inspection. I failed that inspection once. The punishment was to run through every barracks in the battalion with a sheet on my head yelling "I am a catch edge shit bird".

Response by PV2 David Trilety made Aug 11 at 2022 1:59 AM

2022-08-11T01:59:29-04:00

Fall of 1977 Ft. Gordon Georgia. We started in September and finished on a Friday with a whole weekend, for the most part, to ourselves, barring guard duty ect. As many should remember from those days, all we could get between 18 and 21 was 3.2 beer. This did not however deter some of my fellow Soldiers from drinking their weight in what we could get. Well, beer plus young men, on pass, who were to graduate basic training, don't really mix. If you have not seen "Operation Pacific" with John Wayne, this would be a close example, like in their case "Okolehao". Upon most of the platoons return, it wasn't long before somebody bowed up to the wrong person, which happened to be the biggest guy in our platoon. Turns out it was not a fight, but a big wrestling match, which went to the big guy, who stood up with everyone on his back, and flung "A Few Too Far."

Response by HN Robert Hebert made Aug 11 at 2022 2:28 AM

2022-08-11T02:28:05-04:00

You know how they've got you standing guard over anything they can think of during boot camp; the clothes line, the barracks, etc., with a rifle that doesn't work. When someone approaches, you have to challenge him, "Halt, who goes there?". Well it's approximately 0200 and this LTJG is riding his bike and didn't stop, so one of my fellow recruits, swung his weapon and took the JG off of his bike. The company commander absolutely loved it. He praised the recruit for weeks. No charges were filed. The recruit was following orders and halted the guy and the JG learned a very good lesson.

Response by SN William Culotta made Aug 11 at 2022 4:19 AM

2022-08-11T04:19:00-04:00

I was a Navy Radar O'Reilly, or sorts plunged into the Seabees and as I was going to Vietnam, I had to have some training at Camp Lejeune. I became friends with my H. Co. Commanding Officer and he knew I was against the War so he told me to keep my trap shut and do everything I was told at my abbreviated boot camp. I was told when I got there that I was one of five being trained on the 106 Recoil less Rifle . Like the idiot I was I complained to him off the record saying I did not want to be of any value in weaponry, but for the rifle and 45! I said, "I thought we had a deal and I would go to Nam ,rather than go to jail!" He said, "You stupid ass I got you out of two extra days in the mud! We will have NO such artillary!" I told him I was sorry. I still remember all the specs. of that weapon, and had a blast, so to speak, firing that small monster. It was scary Great Fun. I joined the navy to avoid going to Nam and had to go anyway. I guess my big mouth got me what I deserved. I still remain stupid to this day at 77, but volunteer to help at Vet events. I was never against the veterans ,just the government. How come it is always the old farts to send our youth to war and always the young to die!!! But for WW2 and perhaps Korea we could have avoided all other wars if we made the politicians go before the kids! Boy this monstrosity won't be appreciated. I still ruffle feathers! Do to my flights being first and last and time changes I can just about say I went on Aprils Fool day and came back on Halloween. Do not stand next to me in a thunder storm! If anyone reeds this I have written plenty of these type of stories! Bil l Culotta

Response by SGT Tommy Clabo made Aug 11 at 2022 5:52 AM

2022-08-11T05:52:47-04:00

The craziest Drill Sergeant with the most rage called my name. I didn't know it was that particular Drill Sergeant. I thought it was one of my buddies. When he called my name, I answered a loud "WHAT". Of course I got yelled at and had to do elavated push ups. I actually thought he was going to strike me. He wasn't all there upstairs.

Response by LCDR Mitch Culbert made Aug 11 at 2022 6:22 AM

2022-08-11T06:22:16-04:00

San Diego recruit basic training in 1972. We had a tough company commander Chief Greene. First thing I remember was arriving from the airport on a bus to worm island and lining up in middle of night for a series of vaccinations applied with an air gun...needless to say many new recruits fainted flat on their faces getting the shots...Cheif Greene yelling at them to pop up and stand tall! Some recruits were thinking about jumping the fence to go UA/AWOL since they could see the airport from our barracks. Chief Greene told them that the Marine Boot Camp was on other side of fence and if they jumped over they would be caught and spend the rest of their recruit training with the marines! We had a chant for Chief Greene: "Every morning at the barracks you could see him arrive,
Stood 5 ft 7" and weighed 165.
Kind of wide at the shoulders and narrow at the hips,
But everyone knew you didn't give him no lip to Chief Greene. Mean old Chief Greene."

Response by SSgt Krystal Hicks made Aug 11 at 2022 7:11 AM

2022-08-11T07:11:22-04:00

I attended basic training at Lachland AFB back in 2008. We used to run tons of laps around the drill pads with the TIs barking and chasing after us the whole time. There was a girl in my flight who was pretty timid and almost never got her reporting statement right. She was so terrified of the TIs she'd avoid them at all costs. Until one day on the drill pad, a TI started pacing her and shouting. Suddenly, we heard him pause and say "What the hell?! What's that dribbling out your pants, trainee?!" Turns out, she was too scared to stop and perform her reporting statement to the TI and request to use the latrines. Poor girl peed herself on the drill pad.

Response by PFC Joni Keefer Giancola made Aug 11 at 2022 7:31 AM

2022-08-11T07:31:24-04:00

Came in contact with someone with measles at Ft Jackson and as soon as I got to Ft Sam Houston I broke out in spots and was quarantined at the hospital along with another girl from basic.

Response by 1LT Alvin Burningham made Aug 11 at 2022 7:36 AM

2022-08-11T07:36:13-04:00

At Fort Bliss, Texas, during a snow storm our platoon was on the range firing M16s for Marksmanship qualification. The wind was blowing hard making the snow pretty much horizontal. The targets were barely visible, if at all. Nevertheless, we were firing without really being able to see the target. No problem. The range personnel used pencils to punch holes in the targets and everyone qualified!

Response by PFC Theresa Maher made Aug 11 at 2022 7:50 AM

2022-08-11T07:50:52-04:00

On the range, first time shooting the 50 cal from a foxhole. Everyone in line and with a few soldiers ahead of me, we were all repeating the chant – “open the receiver, load the ammo, lock the bolt, look downrange…” Man, was I nervous. Next into the hole. Next to fire. Up to the weapon, opened the receiver, loaded the ammo, and the next thing I know a drill bends down, grabs the collar of my BDU shirt, and hauls my butt up out of the hole. Still holding my collar, with me now standing on level ground with the range drill in my face, I hear him scream “Private – the pointy part of the bullet needs to be facing downrange!” There were a lot more words and expletives that now blur in my memory from nearly 3 decades ago, but I can still feel his grip on my collar.

Response by SPC Grizel Colon-Ocasio made Aug 11 at 2022 8:35 AM

2022-08-11T08:35:33-04:00

It was a Tuesday morning and I was on my M16 class, when the Company Commander came and asked if anyone had a family member traveling to NY…
It was 9/11/2001, Fort Leonard Wood, MO,
A-2/10… and BCT changed tremendously!

Response by PV2 Suzanne Freymoyer made Aug 11 at 2022 8:38 AM

2022-08-11T08:38:41-04:00

Ok, so this didn't happen during basic, but between training cycles. we were a group of holdovers.
As you know you are supposed to do fireguard duty every night most people were lax on their duty, it was my turn to do it I counted beds and 3 girls were missing, WTH, didn't do anything checked all the other bays, bathrooms, and laundry room, then I saw it the window was open. had to get Drill Sgt.
Turns out girls decided that they were done left barracks, called a taxi, told him to drive them to airport, where Drill Sgt. had MP's waiting for them.

Response by Sgt Trevor Sellers made Aug 11 at 2022 8:39 AM

2022-08-11T08:39:27-04:00

Among the many experiences I had in Marine Corps Boot Camp (1966), Parris Island one humorous episode stands out. One of our drill instructors called out wanting a private with a college education. A recruit came forward and was questioned extensively on his college credentials (learning institution, courses, etc). After the drill instructor finished and was satisfied with his fact finding mission he send the private out to see if it was raining.

Response by CPL Wes Spinks made Aug 11 at 2022 8:45 AM

2022-08-11T08:45:41-04:00

During ait two trainees wanted to go home so they decided it would be a good idea to pretend to be gay and they would be released from active duty. I was in the squad bay watching as these two privates pretended to kiss infront of the drill sgt. Mistake lol those fellows were doing push-ups for hours I believe they had a change of heart afterwards.

Response by Sgt Ron Lohman made Aug 11 at 2022 8:51 AM

2022-08-11T08:51:45-04:00

1962 boot Camp Pendleton rec’d box of cookies from girlfriend. D.I. Rizzo made me eat that box of dry ass cookies with nothing to drink. I was gaging and needless to say she was no longer my girlfriend.

Response by SP6 Dale Cuave made Aug 11 at 2022 8:53 AM

2022-08-11T08:53:28-04:00

During Basic Training at Fort Ord, we were tasked with walking over huge logs that spanned a wide fast running body of water. I was somewhere in the middle of the line getting ready to do the task. At some point I decided to step out of the line and stand beside 2 drill sergeants that were overseeing the task. The entire platoon went over the logs and the drill sergeants walked to some other place. They apparently never noticed who I was or why I was standing there.

Response by SPC Jessica Odom made Aug 11 at 2022 9:02 AM

2022-08-11T09:02:22-04:00

We had this one guy in our platoon that was very vocal about how females shouldn't be in the military. Men were better at everything according to him and how could he trust a female to watch his back. Well during the final training march we're we had to sit in fox holes and keep guard at night, one of the drill sergeants started throwing gas at us. The guy who was so much better than all the females hyperventilated and passed out. It made my day!

Response by SP5 James Menard made Aug 11 at 2022 9:11 AM

2022-08-11T09:11:19-04:00

I was drafted and everyone told me not to volunteer for anything. At Fort Polk for basic training in May 1968. The Drill Sergeant asked for volunteers for a weekend. Well me and several others volunteered. We packed and boarded the truck. Went about 50 miles from base. Set up tents near a cotton field. Come to find out the father of one the soldiers in our company passed away. So we were there to pull weeds from the rows of cotton. On Saturday night we went out to a local bar. When the people found out what we were doing, we didn’t have to pay for any drinks.
This is an event I will never forget.

Response by Sgt David Ratliff made Aug 11 at 2022 9:16 AM

2022-08-11T09:16:05-04:00

I was an 18 year old Marine at Parris Island in June 1968. On the first day, after being sent to our barracks, we were told to stand in front of a set of bunks (racks) and to unfold 2 sheets and 1 mattress cover. By design, I think, I was the unlucky one to have 3 sheets, no mattress cover. I didn't want to say anything, but my buddy told me I had to report the mistake. Bad idea, when I approached one of the DIs, I was placed at attention, told to open my mouth, part of the sheet was put in my mouth and I did push ups until I nearly passed out. Until graduation, which couldn't come soon enough, I tried to stay under the radar and left the DIs alone. David Ratliff Platoon 177

Response by Lt Col Lester Henley made Aug 11 at 2022 9:19 AM

2022-08-11T09:19:05-04:00

In Basic one thing you do a lot of is run. Several overweight teenagers were running and having a difficult time keeping up with the pack. One stopped and appeared to have to barf. The DI was immediately over there screaming "encouragements" to the troop. The DI said don't you dare throw-up on my track. The troop responded with: I think I am sick. " Sick?" screamed the DI, do you know how you have to prove to me that you are sick? You have to die!

Response by PO3 Randy Rock made Aug 11 at 2022 9:26 AM

2022-08-11T09:26:35-04:00

Orlando Florida, July 1969 Company 159 in blazing heat. The first week of boot camp orientation I was a scared skinny 18 year old with an 8th grade education. They took us to the Naval Chapel and introduced Chaplin Dor to us.
After this and other introductions of boot camp life we were told to write our name in the front of our BlueJacket Manual. I in my nervous state misunderstood and wrote Chaplin Dor instead of my name.
During company inspection our Company Commander looked at my book and read the riot act to me in front of my shipmates. This caused great joy to all my mates including my friend who went in with me on the buddy system and who has never let me forget it! Me, I was horrified and the rest of my time in training it would occasionally be brought up.
Now as Paul Harvey used to say here is the rest of the story. Around 3 weeks in it was found that we were suppose to have a designated Religious Petty Officer who would read a pre-subscribed scripture reading before lights out while all stood at attention. Our company commander asked for a volunteer and all of us at attention for a very long awkward minute of so said nothing. I certainly wasn’t going to! He asked again and to my horror I saw my feet step forward!
The cool thing about this was we were kind of a rowdy bunch but when Bible reading was called out each evening all stood at attention in a reverent stance while I read.
Today I am a Follower of Jesus Christ and now you know the rest of the story!
RM3 Randy Rock

Response by Sgt James Derks made Aug 11 at 2022 9:52 AM

2022-08-11T09:52:11-04:00

While in boot camp at Camp Lejeune, one of the recruits was on the quarter deck receiving the usual morning beating.
This particular morning, the two junior drill instructors placed a metal bucket over his head and proceeded to beat the bucket over his head with the two foot long wooden scrub brushes we used in the head.
Of course there was the usual continuous screaming at him.
And of course we could also hear the his constant reply...Sir, yes Sir!!!

The beating was severe, even for these two D.I.'s.

Finally, it stopped when the recruit fell backwards onto the floor with no effort to break his fall at all.

Of course, he was dead.

The really strange part is that there was no investigation, no one ever asked any questions of us, and weren't allowed to talk to each other, so that was the end of it.

They had been trying to get rid of him since he stepped on the footprints...just like most of us.

They sent him to Motivation twice for half day sessions, and once for a full day.

He came back full of swamp mud and highly motivated!!!

Everyone else that went to Motivation never came back at all!

I have many more stories about how a platoon of 96 was reduced to only 18 original recruits.

Response by SSgt James Mann made Aug 11 at 2022 10:34 AM

2022-08-11T10:34:39-04:00

I went to basic training on August 28, 2001. During week two of basic training one morning our instructor didn’t show up. A few hours later our MT came up and told us about the crashing Towers on 9/11. Our MTI then left again. Well as he said around the door beds and cleaned up and stuff like that we were talking and we were basically I was able to tell her that I thought it was a hoax and then we were being tested to see who is scared and who would back out and try to get out of basic training because the story. So the whole flight of 60 troops basically thought it was all made up and it wasn’t real until let me the chow runner got sent down to go report for chow for lunch. as I went downstairs there was nobody outside the basic training dorms has caution tape everywhere and Lackland Air Force Base was quieter than a mouse. After chow he went to the day room. We took a metal coat hanger and put it to the back of the TV to try and see if we could get out to get the TV to work. We’re able to get a faint black and white blurry picture that was showing the news about the twin towers being attacked the Pentagon crashing with that point we realize that the 911 attacks were real it was in a house and that What is a surreal feeling for a group of kids in the second week of basic training

Response by SGT D Kz made Aug 11 at 2022 10:42 AM

2022-08-11T10:42:01-04:00

When running off the cattle cars at Ft. Sill, I was at the upper weight limit of 214lbs, when we mustered in common area Drill Sgts were everywhere! UP! down! etc.....a mean old DS came to me and asked "ARE YOU THAT FAT PRIVATE THAT I WAS GONNA ASK HOW MUCH YOU WEIGH?" Recalling my Vietnam Vet Dads advice, I replied "I have no idea what you were gonna ask me Drill Sgt!" He turned and walked away, one fat private did no pushups that time!

Response by LCpl Gerald Donnafield made Aug 11 at 2022 10:52 AM

2022-08-11T10:52:02-04:00

1968 at pendleton rifle range, recruit was missing target so drill instructor said give me that trigger finger opened m14 butt plate stuck finger in there slammed it down I litterly seen end of finger fly down range He was using his salute finger the next day to shoot with

Response by Sgt Donald Schulz made Aug 11 at 2022 11:06 AM

2022-08-11T11:06:46-04:00

we had 2 brothers that were black belts and were being picked on a lot by this one drill instructor. finally after a lot of harassment the drill instructor told them to go behind the head for some private instruction. we were in formation and waiting. out walk the two marines followed a few minutes later by the drill instructer. he was a mess and never bothered the brothers again. it was great!

Response by SPC John Leslie made Aug 11 at 2022 11:07 AM

2022-08-11T11:07:00-04:00

SPEC4 John Leslie During training I passed out and went to the hospital with URI (upper respiratory infection. I missed most of my rifle training. Several days later I got released and was sent to the firing range to qualify with the M14 and M16. I never fired a gun before, so I got in the back of the line so I would not have to go first. Then they counted off in groups of 4 and you guessed it I was number one in my group. I was unsure about loading and firing, so I sat there and did not fire with the rest of my company. The drill sergeant pulled out of the pit and grabbed my rifle and loaded it and shoved it back to me with some harsh words which I won't repeat, to get back in the pit and fire my weapon. He scared the hell out of me. They checked the target and I had fired all 3 rounds in the bullseye. The sergeant came up to me and told me, son you just zeroed your weapon. To say I was relieved would be an understatement!

Response by CSM James ( Jim ) Regan made Aug 11 at 2022 11:09 AM

2022-08-11T11:09:54-04:00

It was summer of '58, Ft. Jackson, S.C. Mid-way thru basic training. Standing in the chow line after an exhaustive day in the hot sand of South Carolina. A trainee, (his last name was "WILD") began taunting me about my failures of the day. We all had some. I'd finally had enough and told him to meet me behind the mess hall after chow. Well, everyone heard what was going on and they got ready for a fight.
Ya see, Wild was the "Bully" of our platoon. As I tried to eat, and couldn't, my two buddies promised to back me up.
Finally, we're all out behind the mess hall and Wild shows up w/ a couple of his buddies. He comes up to me, shouting a few challenges. As he gets close, I haul off and hit him in the head with a hard left fist. Not hesitating, I slam him in the stomach with my right, as hard as I could. I put my whole body into that punch. It must have been the combination of the belly punch and the "evening meal." Down he went, all curled up, laying there on the ground CRYING! I stood there for only a moment, turned and slowly walked back to the barracks w/ my buddies Tom and Jack. We wondered what next to expect from Trainee Wild.
Just before lights out, here comes Wild, up to my bunk. He looks at me, sticks out his hand and asks if we could be friends. I took his hand and told him; No more pushin' around, anybody." He agreed and the guys around us hollered and cheered. No more bullying in the company. Never saw or heard about WILD after Basic. He did not go with us to be Paratroopers! Jim RLTW/L&P

Response by PO1 Cleon Mclish made Aug 11 at 2022 11:36 AM

2022-08-11T11:36:16-04:00

I could not swim and the Navy Seal in the water when I tried to hold on to him punched me in the belly for me to calm down, during swim training at boot camp

Response by SGT Carlyle Seavers made Aug 11 at 2022 11:46 AM

2022-08-11T11:46:31-04:00

As a 18 year old during basic training I was assigned as a barracks guard of my barracks while the rest of the platoon was outside training with weapons. My weapon was with me in the gun rack. The gun rack was unlocked and unbeknownst to me should have been locked. Wouldn’t you know an inspection of my barracks was done and I was written up for not having the gun rack locked. Heck I had only started basic two weeks earlier. Who would have thought a unlocked gun rack with only my gun was a penalty!!

Response by CPL Arnie Leckband made Aug 11 at 2022 1:04 PM

2022-08-11T13:04:21-04:00

When at the firing range, during Basic training, we all had to spend time in the "pits" to run the targets, which had phone wires running along the top back of the pits. After my turn, when getting ready to return to the firing line, I looked up at the wires and there, wound around the wires was a HUGE 6 ft long snake. After the large surprise, we were all in a big rush to get out of the pits. Tho recognizing it to being only a "Blo-Snake", the size was the scary part. Some of the other recruits had never seen a snake that large and were completely afraid to stay in the pits.

Response by Sgt Moriah Thomas made Aug 11 at 2022 1:26 PM

2022-08-11T13:26:05-04:00

We were marching back from the chowhall and one girl in my platoon decided she was just done. So she broke ranks, dropped her rifle on the ground, took off her blouse, and went and sat on a bench near a statue. Four Drill Instructors proceeded to chew her out, inches from her face, while we all watched. She did not move an inch. She simply sat and stared blankly into the distance. They marched the rest of the platoon off at that point. It was nuts!

Response by PFC Michael Starbird made Aug 11 at 2022 1:27 PM

2022-08-11T13:27:05-04:00

I had just turned 17 and I went to basic at Ft. Dix New Jersey Oct.- Dec. 1971. I met a kid there that was having a hard time. In talking to him I found out he had tried to get into the Marines, Air Force, and Navy, and was turned down by all of them, but the Army took him. I didn't think he had what it would take to make it through basic, and figured he would wash out and be sent home. Next day on the rifle range he put the barrel of his M-16 in his mouth, and on full auto blew his brans out.
Michael Starbird

Response by Sgt Sophia Cottrill made Aug 11 at 2022 2:51 PM

2022-08-11T14:51:35-04:00

It was the ‘80s and I had my hair highlighted like Madonna. The TI nickname for me, Cyndi Lauper!?

Response by PFC Rochelle Jackson made Aug 11 at 2022 4:01 PM

2022-08-11T16:01:36-04:00

I was stationed at Ft Jackson SC IN the early 80’s for basic. I was in the old WWII barracks in January, I left for basic on my 19th birthday exactly. Anyways we had the old black foot lockers that sat opposite our racks. My drill sgt. called me pvt. benijamin, I was 5’1 3/4” and weighted 93 lbs. I wasn’t allowed to go airborne because I didn’t weigh 110. Anyways everytime I turned around I was in trouble for my wall locker being unsecured. I knew something had to be wrong because I KNOW I DIDNT LEAVE MY LOCKER UNLOCKED ALL THOSE TIMES. Finally DS called me into his office to sign my. Art 15 in basic because of my locker. DS said to me What would you be willing to do for me to forget about your Art. 15. I told the DS that if he was saying to me that if I have sex with him then it would be all forgotten. Then he could FUCK OFF AND KISS MYASS , cause that’s not what I was here for……needless to say that day I received my Art 15 in basic for an unsecured wall locker.

Pvt. Rochelle Marie Carter (Vecchio)
Last four are 6993

Response by A1C Denise Manchester made Aug 11 at 2022 5:54 PM

2022-08-11T17:54:52-04:00

In September of 1988 while attending BMT at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, one of the women in my flight got very sick in the middle of the night. Myself and another airman took the sick woman down to the Charge of Quarters (CQ) asking for help and what we should do? The two airmen working in the CQ that night were afraid and didn't want to wake up the sleeping NCOIC. So we starting walking with the sick woman across base trying to get to Wilford Hall Hospital on our own. It was dark and we didn't really know where we were going. We walked until we came to came across 2 Marines security guards who were posting duty outside the Marine Corp detachment of the air base. We asked them for directions to the hospital. One of the guards took a big risk for us. He took pity on us leaving his guard post and carried the sick young woman on his back all the way to the hospital that night and then ran all the way back to his security post. While the young woman was being treated in the Emergency Room that night, and we fell asleep in the uncomfortable hard plastic waiting room chairs of the ER until a nurse woke us up early the next morning to go back to our dormitory. After explaining the nights events to our Technical Instructor I thought we would be in big trouble for leaving the dormitory in the middle of the night. However she was actually very kind to us and let us sleep on the dayroom floor until noon to get a little more rest. The sick young woman ended up just having case of severe dehydration, and also rejoined out flight the next day.

Response by SR E Wr made Aug 11 at 2022 8:02 PM

2022-08-11T20:02:09-04:00

Great Lake ,I’ll ,December 1991 16 degrees out sideI had to run from a pre dentist appointment (because you have to double time in boot camp) and it started to rain on top of 5 feet of snow on the ground.A Company commander came walking my way so I had to come to a stop and Salute and slip and fall away I went. By Gods grace I had my pee coat on to lessen the fall on my butt.

Response by CPL Will Hodges made Aug 12 at 2022 6:29 AM

2022-08-12T06:29:55-04:00

well when the SSG said in formation " WE HAVING GI PARTY TONIGHT " so after formation i went to the PX and brouth candybars ,donuts for the party hell i didn,t know, i really though we,er having a party and then i got back to the barrests ( 2 ) hours later and seen VEVRYBODY cleaning-and me standing there with my candy & donuts in hand BOY BOY did i pay,BUT i really thouth he ment " PARTY " i really didn,t know BUT I KNOW NOW ahah

Response by SPC Monique Longmire made Aug 12 at 2022 10:11 AM

2022-08-12T10:11:55-04:00

One of the wildest stories I have ever experienced in life is falling asleep while standing up. Another soldier & I was standing in formation snoring. Drill Sergeant had told the other soldiers all those who awoke to step to the left of the formation. Suddenly I heard loud laughter as the other soldier & I was still standing in place. Drill Sergeant smoked us until we woke up. However, a few hours later I was caught hugging a tree while sleeping. My battle buddy was exhausted & begged for a new battle buddy. I always got caught sleeping because of my loud snoring. When my battle buddy first join she struggled after doing five push-ups. But before we graduated, she & I could do ninety-nine push-ups in two minutes. I told her thanks to me getting us all that extra P.T. we became undefeated. I told her we were meant to be. LOL! Needless to say that she wasn't excited about it like I was & was happy to graduate from having a battle buddy. LOL!

Response by SGT Ronald Audas made Aug 12 at 2022 11:38 AM

2022-08-12T11:38:35-04:00

This story is made" wild",by knowing how serious a GI inspection is.As the General passed down the ranks,he stopped in front of a country boy from Boca Chila,Miss.The General remarked that he noticed he had 2 missing fingers on his shooting hand in which the young man implied I lost them in a car wreck.The General stated,I also noticed you have a badly broken front tooth,did that also happen in the wreck?Without missing a beat,the private said,"no sir,I drapped 'em in the sank".It was all platoon could stand.We spent the next 2 days marching all over Ft.Hood.

Response by SP5 Leighton Reid made Aug 12 at 2022 12:58 PM

2022-08-12T12:58:40-04:00

At Ft. Wood in 1967, we had a NEW recruit that was drafted. Guess what? HE HAD POLIO AND WAS ON CRUTCHES!!! Figure that one out!

Response by CPT Aimee Winn made Aug 12 at 2022 1:25 PM

2022-08-12T13:25:57-04:00

one of the dental officers lost the bolt to his M16 rifle when cleaning it. I mean, of all the parts to lose, that's the biggest one!

Response by SGT Malcolm Haynes made Aug 12 at 2022 8:43 PM

2022-08-12T20:43:07-04:00

Drill “fuck you “

Response by PFC Noreen O’Brien/Allison made Aug 12 at 2022 9:04 PM

2022-08-12T21:04:28-04:00

I served as a Woman Marine during Vietnam Era! The most memorable story was I found a young woman trying to slash her wrist in the bathroom! I ran upstairs burst into DI’s office where she properly told me off for being out of uniform and crashing into her office! I told her Mam a Marine is trying to slash her wrists and the DI told me to go back downstairs and collect every womans razor! This happened at Parris Island!
Lets just say the woman were not happy with me lol
Noreen O’Brien/Allison

Response by SGT Chiaki Fujikawa made Aug 13 at 2022 8:50 AM

2022-08-13T08:50:34-04:00

Here is my widest episode during my basic training at Fort Gorden, GA. We were at the rifle range for a shooting exercise, and suddenly, out of the blue, the downpour started. Two of us were in the foxhole and did not know what to do, for we couldn't see anything due to the heavy rain. So, we stayed put in the hole, and within a few minutes, the running water gushed into the foxhole. I was only 5'-6" in height, the water level came up to my mouth, and drowning was the next. But my buddy, who was 6'-3", picked me up from the neck to save me. I thought it was a life-and-death circumstance.

Response by SSG Archie Martinez made Aug 13 at 2022 11:52 AM

2022-08-13T11:52:21-04:00

My wildest basic training story was going into the gas chamber and watching the file of soldiers in front of me tasked with lifting their masks and inhaling the gas. The soldier directly in front of me didn't follow the proctors instructions so the following which ensued was wild...the soldier takes off his mask entirely then starts jumping up and down from the pain while ropes of snot are coming out of his nose until several proctors remove him from the chamber. I sometimes didn't take things seriously being so young at the time but having seen this experience first hand made me take things much more seriously thereafter.

Response by SPC David Spence made Aug 13 at 2022 12:42 PM

2022-08-13T12:42:05-04:00

During our FTX one of the lower enlisted got a cockroach in there ear. The drill Sargent didn't miss a beat and took a whole hand full of Vaseline and slathered it into there ear then off to sick bay.

Enjoy.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2022 4:35 PM

2022-08-13T16:35:07-04:00

At the final APFT test in basic training about 6 of us of us snuck off to the barracks after doing our pushups and situps. We had some time before the run and asked if we could get a drink from inside. This of course was a premeditated scheme. We staggered our departures to the barracks and once there got to our main goal - which was making out with our chosen "battle boo".

Having males and females in the same company at Ft. Leonard Wood proved to be very drama filled. Helped the days go by faster though.

Response by MSgt Charlotte Nelson made Aug 13 at 2022 9:04 PM

2022-08-13T21:04:26-04:00

During the first few days at BT we have two girls who were very unset about the TI inspection through our personal items and had made rude comments about these girls photos of family. So those two girls decided to go AWOL on the coolest night. They spent that night in a culvert before the SPs found them. Then the next night we had one girl continue to bang her head against the wall til the TI was able to take her away to the hospital.

Response by PO3 John Meurer made Aug 14 at 2022 8:42 AM

2022-08-14T08:42:33-04:00

On the last night of basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1967, our company commander warned us not to "grab ass". Unfortunately, our recruit CC and Master-at_Arms started wrestling and knocked a 6 foot tall locker into a window that crashed right in front of the quarter deck three floors down. A couple of Shore Patrol showed up and that's the last we saw of our two fearless leaders.

Response by SSgt Phil Sutherland made Aug 15 at 2022 1:42 AM

2022-08-15T01:42:39-04:00

My story is not as a recruit, but as a Marine Drill Instructor. I had the duty one night and had the firewatch wake me in time to get the recruits in my platoon up for reveille. At the prescribed time to wake the recruits, I had the firewatch flip on the lightswitch and as usual did my DI wakeup yelling "Get up, Get up, Get up!" At this, the recruits would jump out of their racks and stand in front with their hands held out in front of them for my walk the length of the squadbay to inspect their hands and feet for injuries. One recruit yelled loudly after jumping out of the top rack and stood in front slightly bent over with one end of a string tied to his privates and the other end to his top rack. I walked behind the racks on his side of the squadbay, and approached him from behind to tell him to untie himself and to inquire why he had tied the string around himself. He explained that he had enuresis or bed wetting, and did not want to be put out of the Marines. So he tied himself up to prevent himself from wetting his bed, or rack as we called them. I understood, except why he tied one of the ends to the bed. Fortunately, he was not injured, but sadly, he was released from active duty. My first instinct, when I first saw the recruit and the string was to laugh. But, I controlled it and walked behind to avoid further embarrassment to the recruit.

Response by PO2 Emmett Robichaux made Aug 15 at 2022 12:05 PM

2022-08-15T12:05:05-04:00

We were flown to San Diego from Louisiana for basic training and we arrived late in the day and brought to a holding area where we all sat down and waited for hours. Every now and then someone would come out and yell "HEAD CHECK" and I would touch my head and it seemed OK. It took several more hours before I finally figured out what a HEAD CHECK meant and by then I had to piss so bad I could taste it.

Response by SPC Rick Price made Aug 16 at 2022 10:18 PM

2022-08-16T22:18:42-04:00

Making it to the “A” runners group!

Response by Cpl William Stilwagen made Aug 17 at 2022 6:50 PM

2022-08-17T18:50:27-04:00

BOOT CAMP MESS HALL DUTY

There are defining moments in everyone’s life that change who you are and how you see things. There were several while I was in the Marine Corps, but the one that stands out came to me via a prisoner in the Parris Island brig.

Early on, our drill instructors had run down the schedule of training and had told us that the week after we finished at the rifle range (if we made it that far), we would put in a week working at one of the mess halls. I had anticipated with dread my platoon’s week of mess duty. Since I couldn’t stand the dank, stale, nauseating smell of the kitchens from which we took our daily meals, I began to concoct some way out of this vile duty. To be confined to the kitchens for sixteen hours a day, was more unnerving to me than our three drill instructors combined.

Marksmanship training ended, and the dreaded mess duty approached. As a pre-screening, our senior drill instructor, SSGT Chase, had each of us, in turn, report to him any compelling reason why we could not perform mess duty. Having a few adolescent warts on my hands, I promptly started picking at them and continued to do so until they bled. When he asked me about any reservations as to why I could not pull mess duty, I showed him my hands and stated, “Sir, the Private has bleeding warts, Sir!” I think the Staff Sergeant saw through my ruse and assigned me to the mess hall at the brig. There, he said, I could bleed into the prisoners’ food for all he cared. My plan had back-fired, but it would prove to be profoundly life-changing.

The next morning while most of my platoon was marched to the big mess hall, me and a few others were detailed to the brig. After our mess lecture, my first assignment was to stand behind the serving bins at lunch and dish out one scoop of mashed potatoes to each prisoner. It came with this warning: If I give out any more than just one scoop to any prisoner, it would violate a direct order and I would become a prisoner myself. I was also directed not to speak to any of the inmates. Or else.

Marines can be a pretty bad lot if you piss them off. And Marines in prison were doubly bad characters. The brig was a very scary place, especially to this teenager away from his pleasant and insulated home life for the first time. I had been without my folks and familiar surroundings for seven nerve-wracking and bewildering weeks and this current reality was truly antagonistic and disorienting. Anyway, here comes the revelation . . .

As I was giving out one scoop of mashed potatoes – and only one scoop – a prisoner looks at what I had just plopped on his tray and he says, “Gimme some more.”

I said in a hushed tone, “I can’t.”

He replies again, rather loudly, “I said, gimme some more!”

Still quietly, I replied that I had orders to give only one scoop or I would be arrested.

He glares at me with a look of utter disdain and says, “You non-combat fuck!” And he walks away.

It struck me that, gee whiz, that’s what I am. I’m a non-combat fuck. I don’t want to be a non-combat fuck, but here I am – a non-combat fuck. How could I call myself a true Marine if I never fired a shot in anger – if I was never tested on the battlefield? I might as well be in the Army. It was at that point that I vowed, no matter what, I was going to get into combat. Bill Stilwagen was not going to go through life with that miserable title. No one would be able to say, “Look, there goes Stilwagen, that non-combat fuck!”

And that was revelation number one. More would follow, but this first one set me on a path that would forever change my life.

The brig had its own mess sergeant. After the mashed potato incident at lunch, I started picking the warts again and got them bleeding pretty good. I went to the mess sergeant and said, “Sir, the Private has bleeding warts, Sir!”

He says, “Holy shit! You can’t work with food. We’ll have to move you.” He had me swabbing the deck for the remainder of the day. After the evening chow clean-up, I was sent back to the barracks with the rest of the brig detail.

The next morning, I was directed to the base armory where I finished out mess duty week. No more food work for me. At the armory, I cleaned M-14 rifles and Colt M1911 .45 caliber automatic handguns, stacked ammo, and performed other gun-related chores. I also spent a lot of time talking with the armorers. These guys were not drill instructors. They were regular Marines who had been stationed here to maintain the base arsenal, so there was no “No Sir” or “Yes Sir” stuff.

By the end of mess week, my warts had stopped bleeding and they never bled again.

Response by Pvt Franklin Comeaux made Aug 17 at 2022 7:37 PM

2022-08-17T19:37:09-04:00

During 4th Phase in Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego California. At the end of a fire watch one night one recruit after waking his relief up couldn't find the other recruit that was on fire watch with him. Needless to say that recruit had gone UA and was caught a few hours later on the Pacific Coast Hwy. He was brought before the Company in a dog kennel and displayed for all to see. But, that was not the highlight. The highlight was the look in our DI's face a few hours earlier. After much distress we had to wake the DI that stayed in the squadbay that night to inform him of our recently departed recruit. After a few minutes of what sounded like the fury of hell behind the office door where he was awaken from his peaceful sleep, he opened that door to find us all at attention. Moments after he was informed he stood there and stared at us and it was then that 60 (59 missing one I forgot) recruits saw that our tidy perfectly disciplined well toned statue of a fighting machine had forgotten to tuck his right leg bdus under his bootband. Believe me it took more courage than I have ever seen for a recruit to inform his DI of what would have been his misfortune if he would have stepped out that squadbay amongst his peers.
The next day among Delta Company Platoon 1119 had big smiles on their faces as everyone watched the unlucky deserter tucked away in the dog kennel behind the truck parked in front of that formation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2022 7:51 PM

2022-08-17T19:51:26-04:00

Thanks for the Share.

Response by SGT Erick Holmes made Aug 19 at 2022 3:39 PM

2022-08-19T15:39:20-04:00

Wildest story for me is when your doing BRM training and your in formation and you hear (dummy) rocket go off. Now thats nothing right but when you hear go up in the air and start to come down and you feel that its gonna hit you and come to find out its right next to you the whole time. It never went in the air and when it goes bang your the only one breaking formation hitting the floor and telling others to get down. LOL. I think that was the only time the drill sgts never smoked and had a great laugh and didn't know what to say.

Response by SrA Blake Jensen made Aug 19 at 2022 4:41 PM

2022-08-19T16:41:41-04:00

During a group meeting with our MTI, we were all sitting down listening to our MTI when someone farted audibly. Without skipping a beat, our MTI said, "I better not smell that shit! Everyone, deep breaths, GO!". We all began taking in deep breaths and soon some of us were gagging from the smell and taste of this rancid fart. It was one of the few times our MTI actually smiled and laughed. Soon the entire room was filled with laughter.

Response by LTC Jerold Kaplan made Aug 20 at 2022 1:20 PM

2022-08-20T13:20:43-04:00

As a Medical Officer, I started active duty as a Major and I had a brief "This is your Army and welcome to it" sixteen day course. The night before my first day in uniform, I had carefully used a ruler to be certain that all my insignia was perfectly place. "Pressed and dressed" I was walking to my first class when a Sargeant with a sleeve full of hash marks approached and gave me my first salute. I snapped a brisk salute back. As he passed, he said " Good morning, sir. Excuse me, sir. Your hat's on backward, sir" and dropped his salute. I had the good taste not to turn around since I am sure he was rolling on the ground with laughter. If not, I provided amusement at the NCO club that evening.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 20 at 2022 11:24 PM

2022-08-20T23:24:51-04:00

During basic training some soldiers would cut their own hair on weekends. One time while one of them.was providing a haircut to another soldier. While he was cutting a soldiers head. Meanwhile. As this this was going on a Drill Sergeant quietly replaced the soldier who was cutting his head and proceeded to give the soldiers haircut something different from what was expected. You should have seen the face of the soldier when he saw how his head was now shaved. We all had a good laugh because we could see the Drill Sergeant sneaking in to cut the doldiers hair. The soldier who had the bad haircut was do embraced that he did not report the zDrill Sergeant who stepped in.

Response by A1C Charles Brooks made Aug 21 at 2022 1:17 PM

2022-08-21T13:17:10-04:00

I joined the USAF in 1972. I knew I was going to get my hair cut off so I went to the barber and told him to shave my head one day before I was to report to Lackland. I was the only AB in my flight with
no hair. When it was my turn to get into the barber's chair I thought I would be passed over and I asked why do I need a haircut? TI got int my face and yelled "That barber has a wife and kids to support, get in the chair." and I became his pet peeve.

Response by A1C Charles Brooks made Aug 21 at 2022 1:36 PM

2022-08-21T13:36:01-04:00

I joined the Air Force in 1972. I knew I was going to get my hair cut off so I went to the barber and told him to shave my head one day before I was to report to Lackland. I was the only AB in my flight with no hair. When it was my turn to get into the barber's chair I thought I would be passed over and I asked why do I need a haircut? TI got int my face and yelled "That barber has a wife and kids to feed, get in the chair." and the barber shaved off my eyebrows.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 21 at 2022 8:50 PM

2022-08-21T20:50:27-04:00

I hope to enter next week

Response by CPO Tyrone Sykes made Aug 22 at 2022 11:12 AM

2022-08-22T11:12:58-04:00

Originally from NYC. I was the RCPO of my company at Naval Training Center San Diego. 3-4 weeks in I needed a well deserved break. One evening Navy Seals showed up and asked “who needs a break and who likes partying”? I was first to raise my hand. We went down to the beach and was given the most intensive PT lesson known to mankind. Back then it was called Marching Party. I had no idea. Once again they asked “ who likes sugar cookies”? My hand was first up again, BAD IDEA! I was the Sugar Cookie! That was the last time I ever raised my hand!

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Aug 22 at 2022 1:03 PM

2022-08-22T13:03:49-04:00

One of our fellow trainees was from New York and was Jewish. He was used to eating a Kosher diet, but found that very difficult in 1983 at Fort Benning. He found himself very constipated, so he went to Sick Call. The medics gave him a profile and told him to "Eat extra salad at lunch and dinner." The next lunch that he went to, he got half a dozen of the small pre-made salads that the cooks had put out. Witnessing this was the Battalion Command Sergeant Major. Like any BCT CSM, he went up to the trainee who had filled his tray with salads and tried to stop him. There was a argument between the CSM and the trainee during which the trainee said "No, No, No, they are mine, the Medics said extra salad I'm Constipated..." and this trainee had not been in the Army long enough, evidently to have realized that you don't argue with a CSM. The CSM smiled and then he asked him if he wanted EXTRA salad and the trainee said yes. The CSM went and got a huge silver bowl full of salad and made the trainee eat all of it. I was on fire guard later that night and the constipated private got out of bed and ran in a sprint to the latrine. I then heard a gosh-awful groan, and an elated exclamation "The Salad Worked, The Salad Worked!" I nearly laughed myself silly.

Response by SGT Christopher Edwards made Aug 22 at 2022 5:13 PM

2022-08-22T17:13:44-04:00

When I got to BASIC TRAINING, D-10TH M.P. TRAINING BATTALION, FT. McClellan, Alabama, The Drill Seargent, gets on The Bus. His "Demeanor/Tone of Voice", started off REAL Friendly! It went something like this; "Good Evening! My Name, is Drill Seargent. For the next 4 Months, I will be Your Father, Mother, Sister, & Brother!!

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 22 at 2022 10:02 PM

2022-08-22T22:02:53-04:00

When I went through basic training, we had a soldier that walked like he had a leg injury, the funny part was when he received his discharge or release, I saw him bebop down the street like nothing was wrong with him

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Aug 22 at 2022 10:37 PM

2022-08-22T22:37:48-04:00

Well, Will I Be The Only One Around Here
Who'll Admit To Stupidity?
It Was June Of 1961, I'd Just Turned 17 A Few Days Before,
And In My 2nd Or 3rd Week In Basic At Lackland AFB, In San Antonio,Texas;
It Had Been A Relatively Tough Day In Basic,
And I Was Exhausted And Heading Outside For a Smoke Break,
When The Assistant T.I. Shouted Out: "AIRMAN, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING"?
And, As I Previously Just Stated. " Who'll Admit To Stupidity"?
Well, That Would Have To Be Me..!!... With Absolutely No Forethought... Obviously;
For Reasons I Really Don't Recall, I Screamed Back At Him "OUTSIDE, YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH"!! As I Was Headed Directly Towards Him At Full Speed;
Then I Became The MOST Fortunate Airman On The Entire Base; Two Guys Grabbed Me As I Was Flying By, And Slammed Me To The Floor. Then Held There Until The Assistant T.I. Took Over And Looked Me Straight In The Eyes And Informed Me By Saying:
"AIRMAN, YOU JUST GOT LUCKY AS ALL HELL"!!, And Followed Me On The Way Out The Door....
Then He Put Me Against The Wall And Explained The Situation When He Said, In A FAR More Polite Voice: "If You EVER Pull Shit Like This Again, I'll Beat The Hell Out Of You And Have You Tossed Out Of The Air Force, On Your Ass.. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, AIRMAN"?.. Then We Returned Back Inside The Barracks.. Because I DID Understand, COMPLETELY!
Now Here's The Kicker; You Will NOT Believe It Either. ...,THREE YEARS Later, As I Stepped Off The Plane After Landing At KIMPO AFB, SOUTH KOREA....... He's Standing At The Base Of The Steps,
When I About Went Into SHOCK, As He looked Up Laughing & Saw Me While Saying:
"DEVANEY,? God Damn Guy, How Ya Been"?!!
He MUST Have Trained MORE Than 1000 Of Other Troops But Called ME by Name From About 30 Feet Away.. Go Fkn Figure..!!
... Anyway, While Waiting For My Ride To Osan; We Must Have Laughed & Talked For Well Over
An Hour Before Having To Part Separately To Our Different Bases.
I Never Saw Or Heard From Him Again.... But He Sure REMEMBERED Me & I NEVER Forgot HIM...LMFAO....
What Are THOSE Odds?

Response by SrA James Philpot made Aug 23 at 2022 6:05 AM

2022-08-23T06:05:30-04:00

While in basic training another airman and I was tasked to paint our T.i's office..
We were about 1/2 way into our basic training..Our T.I. was very impressed with our work and bragged about it to other T.I's. So another T.I. took him up on an offer to loan us out to give his office a
make over..while doing the work we were told to just relax and we were able to talk to the T.I. as people not someone in an official capacity as we were not from his training unit..Durring our conversation we learned that the T.I. like us was from Indiiana..so we had alot in common we found from our conversation..
This T.I. too was impressed with our work.
What made this situation quite funny was that after that work for both training instructors was that we were on easy street for the rest of the training time.
We got to get out of certain training duties, our inspections were easier and on the occasion that we would be in formation marching to here and there when we would pass the other T.I. marching his flight somewhere he would yell out a greeting to my painting partner and myself..In his doing so as we were in formation he and I didn't know whether to poop or get off the pot.We were in Basic training where everything is supposed to be serious...Right?? Not so much for us
after we impressed our instructors..
Moral of the story?? While in training...find a way to impress your instructors...sit back and relax for the rest of the trip..lol..

Response by SPC Rhonda Bornt made Aug 28 at 2022 8:45 PM

2022-08-28T20:45:15-04:00

While in Basic Training in Fort Dix New Jersey, the trainees were being assigned to our Drill Sergeants on a very hot day. Drill Sergeant Wilson, newly graduated from Drill Sergeant's School, dropped us on the hot pavement for push ups for some unknown infraction and wouldn't let us get up until we "locked it up". The hot pavement was burning our hands, so "locking it up" was nearly impossible. In the following week of training, he let us go to the latrine but only gave us 10 minutes to get back into formation. Forty females using 3 sit downs was not going to be accomplished in 10 minutes. Those of us who only had to pee, used the 10 urinals on the wall by backing up to them. Drill Sergeant Wilson later dropped us for doing that too. He finally understood...we were NOT male soldiers and there were some concessions necessary for the female soldiers just because we were not equipped like the males.

Response by SPC Rhonda Bornt made Aug 28 at 2022 8:54 PM

2022-08-28T20:54:08-04:00

While in Basic Training in Fort Dix New Jersey, we were being assigned to our Drill Sergeants on a very hot day. Drill Sergeant Wilson, newly graduated from Drill Sergeant's School dropped us on the hot pavement for some unknown infraction and refused to let us up until we "locked it up". The hot pavement was burning our hands so it was nearly impossible to "lock it up".
Later that week, he sent us to use the latrines and only gave us 10 minutes to get back into formation. There were only 3 sit down toilets and there was no way 40 females could be back into formation in 10 minutes. Those of us who only had to pee, used the 10 urinals on the wall. He dogged us out for that later and dropped us again. While I don't believe the Basic Training experience should be different for females, there is a time when concessions are necessary. Time for utilizing the latrine is one of them. Wearing PT t-shirts backwards was another.

Response by SPC Michael Terrell made Aug 29 at 2022 1:51 AM

2022-08-29T01:51:01-04:00

I tested out of the hardest Electronics school in the US Army in 1972. I was told that no one had ever done this so it caused quite a stink when I was awarded 26T20 a week into Basic. It was a three year Electronics school. My score was over 93%, while the average was just 20%

Response by Cpl William Ryan made Sep 1 at 2022 12:20 PM

2022-09-01T12:20:21-04:00

My platoon had 3 different drill instructors when we finished. Our 1st senior was a little too physical to the squad leaders. I couldn't see all the way up and that's what I told the company CO. Anyways our new senior drill instructor comes in and he looks like the damn bull dog itself, big guy too. He says to us, YOU THINK SARGENT SO AND SO WAS BAD, I TRAINED HIM!!! I think there were quite a few, "oh craps" being said.

Response by RallyPoint News made Sep 12 at 2022 12:35 PM

2022-09-12T12:35:49-04:00

Congratulations to CW2 Private RallyPoint Member, Sgt Jennifer Norman, SrA Tom Stewart , PFC Theresa Maher, and PO3 Randy Rock. You've all won a $100 Amazon gift card! An e-gift card will be sent to the email address associated with your RallyPoint account.

Thanks to all who participated and shared!

Response by TSgt Matthew Covey made Sep 14 at 2022 1:59 PM

2022-09-14T13:59:58-04:00

I went to Basic in 1992 at Ft. Jackson. Ft Dix closed for Basic and all the people who were scheduled to go there were sent down to Jackson. We were part of the overflow and were assigned Reserve Drill Sergeants who switched out every two weeks. Therefore, we were basically starting over every two weeks with the Drill Sergeants reasserting their control over us when they came in.I got a really bad staff infection in my leg around week 4 and spent a week in the hospital. When I returned we had a new cadre and the 1st Sergeant pulled me up and told me I would be washed out for not yet passing the PT test. Well, I passed. That's not all of it. We stayed in the once abandoned WWII barracks on Tank Hill. they have since been knocked down.

Response by Cpl Robert Orzechowski made Sep 29 at 2022 11:13 AM

2022-09-29T11:13:43-04:00

I was in Platoon 2017 at Parris Island July - Sept 1967. Age 17. We were coming out of the mess hall after breakfast (we were always hurried at every meal) and standing outside at attention in formation reading our little red "notebook of knowledge" while the rest of the platoon finished their meal. I had left the mess hall with one of those small boxes of sugar smacks cereal stuffed into my utility shirt and was slowly inserting them into my mouth secretly (or so I thought). The Drill Instructor came up to me and challenged me by saying, "what is that in your mouth, shi-thead." I had never hear that word before and could not help myself from laughing. Unfortunately, in addition to my laugh exiting my mouth, my partially chewed cereal also flew out and much of it landed on his immaculate uniform. The consequence for both mistakes must remain a secret.