Drafted in 1970, I went to basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ where each recruit had to perform one hour of fire watch every night.

The recruit who had the 4-5 AM shift, had to wake the entire company at 5 AM by turning on the lights and hollering. Not wanting to be late or stand in line in the latrine, at the sight of lights and the sound of the hollering recruit, I jumped out of the sack, grabbed my shaving gear, and sprinted for the latrine.

As I shaved, I thought it odd that the usual lines were not forming, there was no chatter, nor jocking for position. I was alone. Wide eyed, cleanly shaved, and ready for duty, I returned to a darkened, quiet barracks--the 3-4 AM fireguard had thought he had the 4-5AM shift!