My first experience with boot camp will stick with me forever. (Yes, I went through boot camp once as a reservist and once as One Station Unit Training for the Infantry.

My first boot camp was at Fort Jackson, S.C., in the summer of 1981. During this session, there were three platoons of male trainees and one of female trainees in our company. Of course, fraternizing was not allowed, which made all the men want to talk with the women even more.

The first Sunday, we were allowed to attend church and found that we could talk and sing with the girls—while in church. Thus, the weekly services were well attended so that the trainees to could spend a little time with each other. I have never seen church as full since.