It was March 1968, Fort Dix, N.J., Company D, 1st Battalion. We trainees were in the early weeks of basic training, and it was evident the language of the land was not always English. We all heard the drill instructors grumbling regarding Hispanic trainees conversing in their native tongue.
As all who were subjected to the rigors of military indoctrination, conformity and uniformity were essential to the goal of developing the military mind. Ironically, our first sergeant was Hispanic and spoke with an accent. However, he cleared the air regarding what he and the other instructors considered a serious impediment to that goal.
"You are all members of the United States Army, the only language to be spoken is English," he said. "If I or a member of my cadre encounter any other language being spoken, there will be severe consequences."
He then looked down directly at a trainee and said, "You got that straight, Rodriquez?"
"Sí, sergeant!" Rodriguez said.