I was issued my clothing at Fort Jackson, S.C., and our group was told we were shipping out to Fort Gordon, Ga., for our basic training. We were taken to the PX to get different items we would need when we got to Fort Gordon. Among the items that I bought were some packs of chewing gum. The next morning, after I had gotten situated in my seat on the bus, I shared the chewing gum with some of my buddies.
When we arrived at Fort Gordon at our company area, E-5-2, the drill instructor jumped on the bus and told us we had five seconds to get off the bus and three of them were gone. I got very excited and started chewing my gum faster. The drill instructor saw me chewing and said, "You there, Grant, take that chewing gum and stick it up your nose."
I did, without hesitation.
All my buddies immediately took their chewing gum out of their mouths and disposed of it.
That night when the lights were turned off, I still had the chewing gum in my nose. I asked my buddies if I should keep the chewing gum in my nose. They said I'd better because the drill instructor might check the next morning. I slept well, and when morning came I still had the gum in my nose. Nothing was said to me about it after morning formation, so I removed it and everyone had a big laugh about it.