Back in 1969, we were one of the first training companies at Fort Gordon, Ga., to get the new M-16. We were in the grandstands at the firing range, listening to a boring lecture about the rifle features. Behind the instructor were 50 firing foxholes overlooking targets downrange. It was early morning, and of course, we were exhausted, nodding off and listless.

Finally, the drill instructor had had enough, so he ordered us to stand up, turn around and take a two-minute nap. Although it was a ridiculously short nap, we all got in the spirit and closed our eyes and relaxed a bit. Then we were ordered to sit down again and stay alert. After perhaps another 15 minutes or so of the ongoing lecture, we were stunned when four soldiers jumped out of the foxholes and began firing M-16s downrange on full automatic. I thought I would have a heart attack, but it made a major impression on me and I tell the story often.