I was drafted in June 1966 and sent to Fort Dix, N.J., for basic combat training. Training was tough then because in those days all soldiers were considered infantry first, regardless of what military occupational specialty they were given after basic.

My best memory was the pride I felt after being able to accomplish the different stages of training. Like physical training tests, qualifying with the rifle, learning to march and wearing the Class-A uniforms with the polished U.S. buttons on them.

My worst memory was watching the drill instructors take the overweight recruits out to the track behind our barracks and making them run extra laps so they would lose weight and pass the physical training tests. They would curse, kick and punch them until some would cry. Many of them were draftees and didn't want to be in the Army anyway, and now they were being mistreated. It makes me sad to this day.

But overall, basic was a great experience. If I were young I would want to do it again.