I went to Navy boot camp in 1994 in sunny Orlando, Fla., in the dead of summer. The heat was excruciating, and I remember the ambulance coming about every other day to pick someone up off the blacktop.

I was a bit of a troublemaker, and I remember sneaking a smoke from the laundry truck during the work week and not getting caught; however, I also remember getting caught when I tried to sneak off to the Exchange to get some geedunk. I managed to make it to the Exchange and get my geedunk, but was apprehended on my way back to the barracks by a Navy master chief. This was the first time I had ever met a Navy master chief, and needless to say, it was not a pleasant one-way exchange but an ass-chewing of grand proportion. I clearly remember the next week, which involved me running in place with a rifle over my head and a bunch of chiefs screaming at me. I was set back a week, sent to another company, but managed to graduate boot camp—albeit a week later than anticipated.

That was 22 years ago.

I learned from that experience and went on to become a chief petty officer, limited duty officer and am now in the process of retiring. I still remember our company motto: "For whom the bell tolls, I091 marches on." (Note the Metallica reference.) Thanks for the opportunity to share.