Basic training for most servicemen was an awakening or change of life experience. As a college student, I was deferred, graduated on Aug. 23, drafted into the Army on Aug. 26 and was sent to Fort Chaffee, Ark.

Most of the trainees were former college students who had experienced hazing and other college hijinx tricks, so whatever the drill sergeant threw at us was taken in stride. The old joke of "We're taking a 15-mile hike, and there will be a truck there to take us back to the barracks" was enjoyed by all because we double-timed all the way back to wear out the exhausted sergeant.

I recall another announcement asking, "Who wants to be Captain of the head?" A green recruit raised his hand, and it resulted in his spending the day with his toothbrush cleaning commodes. Another question asked of us: "Who has driver's license?" Those who responded in the affirmative spent the next few days pushing or driving a wheelbarrow filled with dirt.

We only stayed in basic training less than six months, and we then shipped out to Germany. Naturally, the troop ship had to take the northern route which produced high seas and rough weather, causing many upset stomachs. However, some were well enough to play the old trick of setting a roll of toilet paper on fire and placing it in the water trough toilet.

My duffel bag was lost, and I spent five days on the ship in the same uniform. Reporting to my unit, I could tell by the look on my company commander's face that he was not well pleased with me. A year later, I asked why he had pulled my records to be in his unit, and he replied, "You have the same blood type as I do!"