I remember when
By marie2052
@marie2052 (3691)
United States
September 30, 2011 9:09pm CST
I remember as a part of my history in our little world, the very first day I left the MEPS station in St Louis, Mo. to enter the Army.
Once we were cleared to go we took our files, plane tickets, and orders where to report into one big room.
we all raised our hand and swore to defend and honor our country.
After that we each were whisked away on different busses for flights to our destination.
We got on a Delta flight there was another girl going to basic with me and it was the first time I had met her. We chatted and wondered what Basic would be like. We landed in Atlanta, GA. to get off and go to another plane.
The second plane that took us from Atlanta to Anniston Alabama.
I don't remember the name of the company plane, but it was in no way comparable to Delta.
I remember the other girl and I were hungry it was about 7pm when we arrived in Atlanta and back in 1970 there were not restaurants like they have now in airports.
So we found a store that was open for newspapers, gum, candy and such.
I remember the girl got something and I got a candy bar and some gum.
We were told to go to the USO when we arrived in Atlanta and that a plane to take us to Anniston would be coming in to pick us up.
When we got in to the USO there were other girls standing and waiting to get the plane too.
We got on this small plane and I swear the way it shook you would have thought it a WWI bomber plane LOL
As we all started to get on, this REALLY sharp looking lady come down the stairs off this plane before we could get on.
All of a sudden this really nice dressed lady started bellowing at us that SHE NOW OWNED US through the United States Army.
Then she proceeded to tell us what NOT to bring on with us. Wouldn't you know I had a candy bar and some gum.
I SERIOUSLY thought she would search us before boarding the plane!
So when she had her back turned to me talking to someone I remember throwing the stuff out of my purse. WAS not going to get caught with something.
After we had our about 60 mile drive to Ft McClellan Anniston, Alabama, they basically threw us in a barracks as it was about midnight then.
She just told us to GO TO BED.
When we finally were not afraid to speak for fear she was standing outside our door to the barrack, the girl that came all the way from St Louis with me said Hey and {I will leave out my last name) What did you do with the candy bar I am hungry.
I looked at her in disbelief and said OH NO SIR That Sgt was NOT going to catch me with anything I left my candy bar on the runway!
So there you have it.
History in the making as I was one of the last of platoons that were all girl.
I just thought I would share this with you. It was an awesome day but then when you saw that sweet looking petite Sgt. scream the way she did, You would have sworn there was a ventriloquist somewhere throwing their voice to make it look like she did it.
But hearing her we realized WE HAD JUST JOINED THE ARMY!
3 people like this
4 responses
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
1 Oct 11
I once considered joining the Army, but I didn't consider it very hard, since I knew I'd never make it through basic training. I have to admire those like you who had the guts to do it and to tolerate military life. I don't think I could have done it.
1 person likes this
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
2 Oct 11
So we were told during Basic that ours was more mental than physical. The Company Commander told us a man could not have undergone the type of basic we had to endure.
1 person likes this
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
5 Oct 11
When you are in basic training, back in the 70's the women's basic training was more mental. We were strong willed so if they could break us down mentally they knew they could not keep us in the military. Yes we had physical training, but the men way overexcelled us at that time. And they did not get the mental part as harsh as the WACS did.
In basic and AIT no you did not see to many people from the war you were training and those never crossed lines.
When I went to Ft. Sam Houston for Medical Training at Brooke General, Beach Pavilion housed most of the healing burn victims and I spent many hours with them.
I don't think most of them quite figured me out. I never saw the horror of their war scars I saw them as wonderful young men to just get to know and drop a kiss on their forehead or a hug before going back to work.
During the 70's I was told Brooke General was the Burn Center of the World.
So you can imagine how many and how much was seen.
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@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
2 Oct 11
I never even considered joining the military. I could never have cut it. If I had gone through a first day like yours, that would have been it! I would have wanted to quit before I got started. It sounds like you liked it though, your tougher than I am.
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
2 Oct 11
All you guys that answered this should have been a mouse in my pocket. You all would have laughed so hard at my trials and tribulations!
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
18 Nov 11
That is a great story!!! I never went into the army. The closest I got was attending ROTC Basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky back in 1980. I feel sorry for the guys and gals that went through after we were done because the drill sergeants couldn't do all the mean things to us that they do with regular recruits. It wasn't easy by any means, but it wasn't as bad as what I'm sure you went through. Thanks for sharing!!!
1 person likes this
@mamasaid (156)
• United States
7 Oct 11
This was a wonderful expression of your journey, I felt everything from your writing and could imagine you being yelled at and throwing away that candy bar. You and those other girls were VERY brave to do this and serve your country. I would have been so shaken up in the small plane, then to hear the Sgt. talk about ownership - very scary indeed! I almost joined the Marines then wound up getting a scholarship I did not expect and went to business school. I had taken all the tests, physical and had my first big meeting with the recruiter than backed out. My husband (Marine in Vietnam) told me it was a good thing, I would have been in for a major shock. I think he was right! Welcome home and thank you, Marie.
1 person likes this
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