The drill sergeant was the best soldier and he had to be. At the fire range, I saw a lot of new troops firing a weapon for the first time. I used to have a shotgun, so to me it was good.

The first time our platoon went out to the firing range, we had a few no-goes. Because it was a very humid day, we had some troops trying Kentucky windage. I never knew what that meant, but after a few days, our platoon leader got mad and had to instruct the no-goes the proper instruction in shooting. Because I had fired a weapon before, I was volunteered to do the class.

I first instructed on the proper breathing procedures, inhale air, exhale air and then take the shot. Always use rear sight to front sight, and don't jerk the trigger in the last round. Everyone passed the firing range in three days.

This was in 1989 and I still remember those boot camps days.