Story #2225

Back in 1978 I had entered basic training. It was the first week and some holdovers had been cycled in to fill in the shortfall.

Our TI was an Army combat Veteran in Nam. He switched branches after the war.

This new kid looked like he was going to shit and TSgt X honed in on him. We were all standing at attention in the bay and X was in this kid’s face. Just breathing hard through his nose. He took a step back from the trainee and told him to jump. The kid jumped. As soon as his feet touched the floor TSgt X was right in his face screaming and hollering. Reading him the Riot Act.

“DO YOU FUCKING KNOW WHY I’M SCREAMING AT YOU, TRAINEE!”

“Sir, no, sir!”

“WHAT DID I FUCKING TELL YOU TO DO!”

“Sir, jump, sir!”

“SO WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU ON THE GROUND! WHO FUCKING TOLD YOU TO COME BACK DOWN!”