I arrived at Fort Gordon GA in Oct. 1968 for BCT. After being herded off the bus and receiving the Welcome to the US Army speech, we entered the barracks and were assigned our respective racks. The top bunk and bottom bunk sleepers had their heads in opposite directions. Between the racks were two by fours nailed to the support beams. Each was wrapped with cotton muslin which was to be unwrapped and hang to the floor at 2200 and rewrapped at 0500.
The drill sergeant explained that this was to prevent the spread of respiratory disease and would be strictly followed. Now I had my doubts as to the effectiveness of this procedure, but I did not voice them. Keep in mind that there were 40 men on each floor of this WWII building, with 4 sinks and four toilets.
By the end of training, every run sounded like a TB ward.
The drill sergeant explained that this was to prevent the spread of respiratory disease and would be strictly followed. Now I had my doubts as to the effectiveness of this procedure, but I did not voice them. Keep in mind that there were 40 men on each floor of this WWII building, with 4 sinks and four toilets.
By the end of training, every run sounded like a TB ward.
