I enlisted in the US Army Delayed Entry Program 95B, Military Police in 1979 and left Harrisburg, PA for Basic Training and AIT March 10, 1980, for Fort McClellan, Alabama.

I went in with the rank of PFC as I had a College Degree. After three days at the reception station we were delivered by bus to our barracks and our Basic Training Company. After the initial "shock" that awaits all new recruits when they get off the bus for the first time we were greeted by our "Drill Sergeants" and our "Senior Drill Sergeant".

My Father had advised me before I left for Basic that I should not volunteer for anything, do nothing to draw attention to yourself and don't talk unless you have to. Imagine my fear when I was summoned to the Senior Drill Sergeants' office alone. I walked in to find the office filled with DI's all glaring at me. My first reaction was "what did I do and what can I do". As soon as I walked through the door a DI closed the door behind me and then turned off the light. The next thing I heard was "well he doesn't glow in the dark"!

Apparently everyone was well aware that "Harrisburg, PA" was right by Three Mile Island, the site of the worst domestic nuclear accident in US History that occurred just 11 months before. Apparently the DI's had been told that everyone that was from that part of Pennsylvania glowed in the dark from nuclear fallout. I think they were somewhat disappointed that I did not glow but the fact that I was from Harrisburg, PA made me popular with the DI's and in a good way.

It also didn't hurt that the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series in 1979 and the Pittsburg Steelers won the Super Bowl.

I was one real popular "Yankee"!