I arrived at Great Lakes Naval Training Center (NTC) Dec. 14, 1954 as an 18-year-old. I had traveled overnight via Pullman from Little Rock, Ark., on the Rock Island Railroad.
After in-processing we were divided into 60-man companies, each commanded by an E6 or E7.
I will never forget our welcome speech by Company Commander Faust Martani, gunner mate First Class – a crusty WWII combat veteran.
“Boys, this is going to be three months of hell. Anybody who can’t take it, I will show them where the hole in the fence is. Any man who makes it, I will be willing to go to sea with.” This was no understatement, and I did make it – Company 336, Great Lakes NTC, 1955.
The necessarily harsh introduction to the military received in boot camp served me well in the following 35 years of military service: 6 in the Navy (4 active duty) and 25 in the Army National Guard (1 active duty), all in aviation. In all the training I received, I always prepared myself to expect and accept the worst. After transferring to the Army National Guard I graduated from Officer Candidate School, Artillery School and Rotary Wing Flight School. I was medically retired in 1985.