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Naw, I didn't kick a window out, I was busy being crushed by the front and back. After the novelty wore off, they let us off the bus.
Then the fun really hit.
2. Once off of the bus, the wind hit us like a freight train. We were in a windstorm, which was fitting as we were being abused by everything else, so why not the elements as well? We were told to line up, single file. We did so as fast as we could. (For the rest of my basic training stories, please insert that phrase after every verb…) A very impressive and imposing man stood facing the line, and proceeded to scream instructions at us. To truly appreciate the situation, the feeling was that these were critically important instructions to our survival. The windstorm was making it very difficult to hear the instructions unless he was facing in my direction. He would only do so occasionally, however, and the disconnected phrases were scaring me.
“Listen up, because I am only going to say this once…”
“…Whatever you do, always remember these 3 things…”
“…And finally, number 3 is Keep your rifle with you except when an Instructor…”
“… If I ever catch one of you fuckers trying to …”
And so on until I was beside myself with fear. He finally started calling out names, and when your name was called, you immediately ran off to the left, grabbed your luggage (kit) and proceeded to be yelled at by a different group of instructors. One person to my left name was called, but they didn’t hear. The mean man called again, this time with a tone of hatred. The poor person heard this time, and yelled out “YES SIR!”
The mean man ran over to our part of the line. “Did you just call me sir?!”
“Yes, umm, ahh, sir?” came the sheepish reply.
“I work for a living, goddamnit. You will address me as Master Corporal. Am I clear?” he spit as he screamed.
“Yes Master Corporal.” He whispered.
The mean Master Corporal then called out another name. The reply was “YES SIR!”
“HOLY SHIT, what is wrong with you people?!” (the problem was that no one could understand anything in that damn wind)
My name was soon called after that. I screamed at the top of my lungs “YES MASTER CORPORAL!” not for his benefit, but for that of the people around me. The Master Corporal smiled at me. I am sure the thought I was a keen soldier. I was just scared. Through and through.
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