I was one of the older recruits in the platoon because I had used my 2-S deferment at college, but had not yet graduated. I enjoyed the physical training since I was in good condition, but had heard my brother's Marine physical training was more rigorous. I liked being the only group leader that did not lose his job throughout the eight weeks. We only had one day on the firing range with an M-16, which was a day the group was looking forward to.

At the end of our training we had a day in San Antonio to enjoy a little freedom, but I felt ill, returned to the base early and ended up in the hospital isolated in measles ward. The worst part was that I did see my platoon after that because they had received their orders and shipped out while I recovered.