I was on a train that would take me to Great lakes Recruit Naval training center.
Just seems like yesterday, Yea, Right!

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Thanks for serving at that time, so many went to Canada and came back with a free ride from " Jimmy".

I know. About 50 years ago I was off to Ft Knox and Ft. Polk for my wake up calls.

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“Look life in its iron face”

With all due respect, 60 years ago was 1960. Pre-VN/Canada bound times.

I had a friend from church that was in the early 60's pre VN Navy. Almost all the Senior and Master Chiefs were from WWII, and his treated him like a son! "I need you to do this for me," "Go do that for me." " On shore leave, I'll let you buy me a beer!"

Oh yes, he said it was a magical time!

Ivan

Well, 55 years ago I was at Fort Jackson, SC doing my basic training. It does seem like not that long ago but time really flies as you get older.

I’m a youngster here. I enlisted in 1969, headed to NAS Pensacola.

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"Your other right........."

54 years ago they put me on a slow, hot bus to Columbia S.C.

As Vice Commander of our Sons of the American Legion squadron, I want to thank all of you for your service to our country.

Thank you sir!!

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No baby we aint

...as I can DEFINITELY remember several lives before my present one.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

1971 on my way to Fort Polk

55 years ago come end of September off to Ft, Knox, hotter than hell and some clown asked us new arrivals if anyone liked swimming? A couple of fools said yes and were off to clean the latrine. Dad told me before I left on the bus, “Don’t volunteer for anything”. I was real careful about that but Airborne and Special Forces called and how could I refuse

In November it will be 40 years since they flew me to San Diego. The oath that I swore before going is more serious to me today than it was then.

40 years ago this month I finished up BCT and was on my way to AIT.

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Only a cold warrior

52 years ago, entry physical and testing at Kansas City, a night sharing a room in a cheap downtown hotel, then the long ride to Fort Jackson for basic training.

I thought I was in pretty good shape, then I learned how puny I really was.

I thought I was all grown up, then I spent a lot of time missing my home, my girlfriend, and my mommy.

I thought I was a pretty good pool player, then I met a couple of guys from Philadelphia who taught me how little I knew (for a small tuition cost, of course). Learned the same lessons about my poker skills (the tuition was a little higher).

Finished basic training and learned that I was one of the fortunate few selected for advanced infantry training. I seem to recall wanting to learn how to operate heavy equipment, but the Army had other plans for me.

I remember a couple of sharp looking young guys recruiting volunteers for jump school (parachute training). Part of the presentation was advising us that the two most dangerous parts of an airplane ride were the take-off and the landing, and by jumping out we could eliminate half the danger of the airplane ride! Somehow that made sense to me at the time, although I later learned how to avoid ALL OF THE DANGER of those airplane rides.

Coming up on 51 years since I was at the Van Buren St induction center in Chicago.
Enlisted in the Marines on my 17th birthday.
Earned the title Marine and fifty years later I'd do it all the same way.

Semper Fi
Till the day I die