Attending Army basic training in 1981 at Fort Sill, Okla., as a 17 year old fresh off the Minnesota farm was a culture shock to say the least. Despite all the new experiences (living in two-story World War II barracks), sounds (artillery rounds exploding day and night) and tastes (Army grits), the sensation I remember the most was the sweet, musty canvas-like aroma of the Central Issue Facility. Even now, 35 years later, I come across that aroma and it reminds me of that sweltering summer day at Fort Sill when I received my initial issue of OG 507 olive green fatigues, black combat boots and Vietnam-era shelter halves, goose-down sleeping bags and other TA-50—all packed in that canvas duffel bag.