You know those moments when a random synapse fires which causes an old memory to resurface? well I had one on the bus last night on the way home. This particular random firing caused me to recall my time in basic training, July 1982-3704 BMTS Flight 051, and my Training Instructor (TI) Staff Sergeant Vincent Perry came to mind...
Its funny I can remember those days as clearly as the day my son was born. The man was a TI thru and thru but we found he had a soft side. Once the flight got in trouble and just as in the movies, no one would rat out the offender. We lost our base pass for the evening... but when the dorm chief, and the first and second squad leaders confessed to the offense that was previously discovered, SSgt Perry just roared... with laughter... and chased our three flight leaders out of the flight office and that was the end of the punishment.
What would I say to Staff Sergeant Perry if I were to meet him now after all these years... I would shake his hand vigorously and tell him that he made a difference. Id tell him what I did when I was in and hope that he was proud that one of his limp-dick trainees made good.
and what is on tv tonight? "Simper Fi" This show is a monologue by Jeff Kee, a Gay Marine that had been deployed to Iraq.
A REAL MUST SEE!! I am not a Marine, but even though I may not totally understand them... I do totally get the sense of belonging... and I had some of that... and I miss it.
Veteran's day is today... remember them and their sacrifices.
Its funny I can remember those days as clearly as the day my son was born. The man was a TI thru and thru but we found he had a soft side. Once the flight got in trouble and just as in the movies, no one would rat out the offender. We lost our base pass for the evening... but when the dorm chief, and the first and second squad leaders confessed to the offense that was previously discovered, SSgt Perry just roared... with laughter... and chased our three flight leaders out of the flight office and that was the end of the punishment.
What would I say to Staff Sergeant Perry if I were to meet him now after all these years... I would shake his hand vigorously and tell him that he made a difference. Id tell him what I did when I was in and hope that he was proud that one of his limp-dick trainees made good.
and what is on tv tonight? "Simper Fi" This show is a monologue by Jeff Kee, a Gay Marine that had been deployed to Iraq.
A REAL MUST SEE!! I am not a Marine, but even though I may not totally understand them... I do totally get the sense of belonging... and I had some of that... and I miss it.
Veteran's day is today... remember them and their sacrifices.
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