At first it was hard to be in a place that was not like home. It was for sure a militaristic style type of place. I first got to the barracks and was handed some flip flops (i.e. shower shoes), a tooth brush and a razor for shaving. Let's just say this was weird because I was 18 years old and didn't have any facial hair.

The next day the company got rudely awakened by our drill instructor banging on a trash can and saying to get up on the line. I could not see the line. He had to point out that the tiles on the floor create a line, and from there we assembled. He told us his rank, name and what he expected of the group.

We had to get ready for breakfast and learn some basic steps in marching. We did not get our hair cuts until the second week and then got our military clothes.