ROTC was mandatory for freshman and sophomores at EKU in the late 60's and we had the choice of leaving the program or sign up for the advanced course during our junior and senior years. The advanced course included a commitment to go to the Army as an officer upon graduation. With likely service in Vietnam facing me upon graduation I decided to continue with the advanced course.
Between my junior and senior years I attended officer basic training in Indiantown Gap Pa. I will never forget the words of encouragement from our Drill Sergeant the first morning there - "you better pay attention and learn to be a good officer because I don't want some dumb 2LT getting my good soldiers killed in Vietnam". He was serious too.
We travelled past Indiantown Gap on our way to Providence RI last week and I couldn't resist stopping to see if the post was still there and to re-live those good but difficult memories. I was happy to see the post had changed little and the old white barracks and training facilities were still there.
The training was realistic and hard and I got injured on the infiltration course and ended up in the hospital at Valley Forge Army Hospital in Philadelphia for three weeks with soldiers who had been wounded in Vietnam. Due to this my 9 week course continued for another 3 weeks however I graduated near the top of my class and returned in time for my senior year.
Life's experiences form the person we are and I am thankful for my time at Fort Indiantown Gap and in the US Army later.
2 comments:
Cool, Dad. I really enjoy reading posts like this from you. It is neat to read about your memories and your past.
I'm so glad you got to go by there
Dad, it sounds like this was an important part of your youth, and it's always good to stop and look back sometimes. That place was a part of the man you are now...
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