In March of 1964, I reported to Fort Ord, California and underwent a Basic Training course designed to weed out those who "couldn't cut it" early. I guess the philosophy was that it was better for these guys to "break" now, than to have them go to Nam and get their buddies in trouble. I sometimes tell young 17 year old high school students that when I was their age, I learned how to kill someone with my bare hands and/or a silent edged weapon! Basic Training was followed by AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at the USASESCS (United States Army South Eastern Signal Corps School) at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where I learned the fine art of setting up and maintaining signal sites in remote locations. An overseas assignment soon followed. Here I am, as a SP4 (Specialist Four - in those days we still had Specialist ranks from Four through Seven) in 1965. I am the one standing with the rifle.
Some of the old gang. I'm the one with the shades!
After my first tour came a long break. I became a civilian again. The "Summer of Love," 1967, was partially spent in Haight Ashbury! Later that year I wound up on the East coast, met a beautiful young lady, fell in love, moved in together, got married, had a daughter, got separated, got divorced, and went back into the Army! I suppose it was my destiny to spend most of my Army career in the Far East. My next assignment was to Korea. History repeats itself; I met a lovely young lady, moved in together, got married, had a son, etc., etc.
Here I am, as a SP4 (Specialist Four - in those days we still had Specialist ranks from Four through Seven) in 1965. I am the one standing with the rifle.
