Story #1763

It was 1993 and we were in our last week of Basic Training at Ft. Sill, OK. We ware mostly a Reserve and National Guard cycle with about 75% of the company completing Basic during the summer under the Split-Option. (Yes I wised up and transferred to Regular Army from the Reserves and re-classed to 11B) As all of you know, it seems like every company has their Private Pyle. And ours was in my platoon, named Pvt. S, thankfully as 1st Squad Leader he was not in my squad. Or Drill Sergeant, DS W, was huge standing over 6’5″ and solid muscle, we guessed he powerlifted on his spare time.

The thing is, he never really yelled at us, I think that is what made him even more fearsome as he would mercilessly smoke us, always calm, cool and collected. DS W made us pay consistently for Pvt. S, always last through the chow hall, the PX, smoked here and there, seemed like we were always getting smoked because of this clown. Well one morning a few days before graduation we were forming up to move out, I checked my squad accountability and gave the Platoon Guide a ‘Thumbs up.” He did a quick count of the platoon and after a quick calculation had a look of confusion on his face. He counted again with the same look afterwards. He called for Squad leaders to report, and the other 3 squads were counting their men, PG relayed to me that we were one short. At the same time we both said, “Pvt. S.” At that perfect moment, DS W came out of the CQ office and told PG to start moving us out. PG’s eyes immediately got as big as saucers and he turned as white as my pasty ass. As PG turned around to inform DS W that we were missing a man, here comes Pvt. S stumbling down the stairs to the breezeway. Pvt. S had his BDU top half unbuttoned, belt halfway around his fat waist, one boot on and not tied, and the other in his hand. To top it all off, on the foot with no boot he was wearing a white sock. DS W turned to see him and COMPLETELY lost it. He started yelling screaming, “You fat fuck! I am going to kill you! I am going to end you right here!”

As DS W started making a B-Line to Pvt. S, two DSs from other Platoons noticed and tried to restrain DS W. It was not happening, TWO more DSs were needed to subdue DS W and bring him to the ground. Another DS immediately snapped us to attention and moved us out with DS W still yelling in the background.

We did not see DS W for two days, with him showing back up the day before graduation. Needleless to say he did not even make eye contact with Pvt. S. I honestly believe he would have killed him if he got his hands on him.

Ft. Sill, 1993