This is My Rifle

March of '66, we pulled into the Army training camp and faced off with one of the toughest Drill Sergeant's you could ask for. His Name was Morgan and the first place that we went to was the barber shop. He just told the barber to give the boys whatever cut they ask for. Many were asking for a trim or a little off the top and soon it was all on the floor, (I understand that the girls don't have to do that, so much for being equal).

The funniest thing that I remember, however, was visitation day. That was the day the recruits could have family come and visit. Well, first thing that morning, we were to police the barracks and then to fall in with our weapons.

Harvey A. dropped his rifle and exclaimed, "damn, I dropped my gun". Wrong thing to say with Sergeant Morgan within ear shot. Harvey was called out and ordered to face the Drill Sergeant. He was told that the weapon was called a Rifle not a Gun and then he was ordered to do ten lapse around the barracks with his rifle over his head while saying, "This is my rifle" and with one hand he would have to point to his crotch saying, "This is my gun, this is for shooting and this is for fun".

Basic and AIT were times of learning brotherhood and discipline.

God bless our troops.

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