The humidity was doing a good job of outpacing the temperature. Until around 10 AM when the thermometer pushed over 100. That’s when 176 frightened kids and a few old hippies staggered out of the crowded cattle trucks.
“Alright maggots, RUN,” voices screamed in unison from under wide brimmed Smokey Bear hats. So we ran, duffle bags slung over shoulders, for hours before finally coming to attention under the blistering Missouri sun. All the while the bears circled, sniffing the air and grunting.
“Don’t show them any fear,” one of the old hippies told me. “They prey on the weak.”
Jerry Brotherton 
Been there, Basic at Wood, late fifties.
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I suppose the old Drill Seargent’s saying is true. “If you can walk away from it…then we need to do it again.”
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Brings back memories of my own National Service, Jerry. In somewhat different temperatures though!.
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I saw many pictures of those that had to do their training in the dead of winter. I’m not sure which would be worse, 100+ degrees or two feet of snow.
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I thought you were speaking of Woodstock in Bethel, New York.
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Haha…I was not there for that historic event. I can imagine my tale would be quite different. Although it would still involve hippies and kids but a lot more drugs… now that I think about it, maybe it wasn’t that different.
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Sounds so tough to me. :-(
I admire and appreciate anyone who has served in the military.
Thank you, Jerry.
(My oldest brother served in the Army…he was drafted to Viet Nam when he was 18 years old.)
Good advice from a hippie. :-)
(((HUGS)))
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Thanks my friend. Those were some scary times for us kids for sure. A lot of people may not understand this question but I think you will…did he make it back to the world ‘whole’?
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He would say his relationship with Jesus is what got him through and home and able to go on with life. He actually became a minister.
He’s been an amazing son, brother, husband, father and friend to all of his family! He still is! We talked just last week. :-)
He hasn’t talked much about his time there, but when he has/does we always listen intently and give big hugs to him.
Thank you for asking, Jerry!
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I’m glad to hear you guys are so close. Family is the most important thing we have.
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My basic training sergeants must have been from a different planet. I remember sitting around listening to him talk about Korea. There was never any of that yelling and denigrating stuff – just a lot of good honest advice and lots of muscle building. And I don’t think Aussie soldiers were less because of the difference.
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I agree with you on this one. A person is more likely to follow a respected friend into battle than a tyrant.
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