I went to basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C in February 1979.

The hardest part for me was the first week because we didn't know each other.

I found out that I was the farthest from home being from Washington State.

The best day was when I got the phone call from my mom on April 11th to tell me that I was a new dad. All of the other guys were in the day room with me to find out if it was a boy or girl.

We had a good training the rest of the time.