I entered U.S. Army basic training in August 1962, right out of high school. I had been a Boy Scout for eight years and loved the outdoors. While in basic training—no matter what came my way in push-ups or running, no matter what else was put on me to do—I did it with a smile. The platoon sergeant always said to wipe the smile off my face. I believe I pushed Fort Knox, Ky., down 10 feet. When my time came to go to advanced training, the platoon sergeant said I was going to be a career soldier. I ended spending five-and-a-half years in regular Army and eighteen in the National Guard.