Special treat! Today is my birthday so I'm giving you a chapter that dives a little into the boot camp experience. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Logan Skipps stood in line outside of the Army processing center along with all the other recruits. His bags, one personal the other a green army duffle bag, sit in front of him. He watched as the trucks pulled the trailers that looked like rabbit sized cattle trucks.
Logan had seen how migratory mammals were transported in mass once before. Cramming into cattle trailers made of metal and wood with long slits along the sides to allow plenty of air in. As they stopped and the doors opened he could see a bunny get out of each trailer wearing a pressed uniform like his own. The only difference was the polished black belt and the campaign hat drill sergeants were known for.
He had spent two weeks processing into the army. Doing little more than receiving equipment and basic instruction on how things functioned. Sitting around and reading from a pocket book full of instruction and military literature.
"PICK UP YOUR BAGS! PLACE YOUR PERSONAL BAG ON YOUR BACK AND YOUR DUFFLE IN FRONT!"
One of the drill sergeants yelled. An albino from the looks of it. Once everyone had their bags situated, they were stuffed into the trailers facing outwards, pressing into the person in front of them until they were packed so tight you could almost lift your legs and not fall.
Logan looked straight ahead and only glanced at those around him. When the doors closed and the trucks started moving, not a word was spoken. Once it was apparent they were on the main road a tired gruff voice from behind started speaking.
"I am Staff Sergeant Longpaw and from now on you will only be known as Private and your last name. The first and last words out of your mouth will be Drill Sergeant, do you understand?"
The group replied accordingly but not satisfactory to the drill sergeant apparently. "Louder!"
"Drill Sergeant Yes Drill Sergeant!"
"Privates I want you to reach between your legs, grab your balls and squeeze. Now do you understand!"
An even louder chorus responded with a few stiffened snickers. "Outstanding." Was Longpaw's only response before beginning to divulge the entire command structure of the military unit they were now in. It was quite lengthy covering everyone from the first sergeant, executive officer and company commander to the base commanding general.
"Now who is the brigade command sergeant major?" Longpaw asked.
A few of the privates attempted to answer but most everyone remained silent. The drill sergeant apparently didn't like that.
"PUT YOUR FUCKING FACES IN THE BAGS! YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR A SOLDIER! EVERYONE, FACE IN YOUR BAG NOW! YOU WILL LEARN TO PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL OR YOU WILL BE DEAD! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!"
"DRILL SERGEANT YES DRILL SERGEANT!" was the now muffled reply as everyone placed their faces in to the stuff duffle bags on their chest.
"NO ONE LOOKS UP WITHOUT PERMISSION! I SWEAR PRIVATE IF YOU MOVE YOUR FUCKING FACE YOU'LL BE DOING PUSHUPS TILL I'M TIRED! WHEN WE STOP YOU WILL KEEP YOUR UGLY FACES BURRIED WHERE I DO NOT HAVE TO LOOK AT THEM. YOU WILL FILE OUT OF HERE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION AND LINE UP TOGETHER. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!"
"DRILL SERGEANT YES DRILL SERGEANT!"
"Out fucking standing."
The trucks came to a stop shortly after almost as though it had been rehearsed. The doors to the trailer opened and everyone started working their way out. Logan had to back out slowly before he could turn and see where he was going.
The whole-time drill sergeants were yelling at others to keep their heads in the bags. A few rabbits tripped going down the steps only to be yelled at for falling. Able to make it down without falling Logan used his peripheral vision to make his way to where everyone was being directed and stood in line. Listening as the drill sergeants continued to harass those who fell or dropped bags.
The rabbit next to him apparently decided to take a peak over his bag and see what was happening only to get caught.
"HEY BATTLE! WE GOT A LOOKER!" Two drill sergeants went to the rabbit next to him both so close they were nearly touching the other rabbits head with the brim of their campaign hats. "WERE YOU LOOKING AT ME PRIVATE! DO YOU THINK I'M CUTE! DO YOU FIND ME ATTRACTIVE!"
"DRILL SERGEANT NO DRILL SERGEANT!"
"OH, SO YOU THINK I'M UGLY AS SIN, IS THAT IT!"
"DRILL SERGEANT NO DRILL SERGEANT!"
The whole time the other drill sergeant was whispering at the private to keep his face in the bag in not so nice terms.
After a while they left the rabbit alone and moved on to find a new victim. A few minutes of being yelled out they were instructed to drop their bags on the ground and stack them neatly. They were made to drink a canteen of water before being sent to refill them and drink more. After drinking about three canteens they were finally called out alphabetically. Logan being close to the rear.
They were filed into a building where they were issued TA50 gear. Personal equipment they would need for training. Everything from ponchos to load carrying vest and helmets. Everything was inventoried and then stuffed into its own duffle bag.
Everyone then filed back outside and had to find a way to pick up the personal bag, duffle with military uniforms and the new duffle back with their equipment. File back into the same trailers with the same amount of rabbits as the first time.
This time the drill sergeant wasn't in the trailer with them as they traveled to the next location. After a short trip, the trucks stopped again and everyone filed out of the trailers once again. As Logan was exiting, his bag containing his TA50 slipped from his paw and hit the ground spilling its contents.
For some reason the drill sergeant decided to ignore him while he quickly gathered his things and stuffed them back in the bag. They were directed to the front of a three-story brick building that looked old. They were all lined up on the wide concrete pad that allowed them each to stand on their own square with plenty of room between them. In front of the building was a patio on which another drill sergeant stood giving out directions using a megaphone.
Everyone had to empty their bags and inventory everything once more. Then their personal bags were emptied and searched by the drill sergeants to ensure no contraband made it in. Then personal items that weren't allowed were packed back into the bag and the rest was stuffed into another the duffle bags.
Everyone was then lined up alphabetically by last name and marched inside the barracks. They were taken into rooms with four bunk beds and eight wall lockers. They were instructed to place their items minus the personal bags into the wall lockers and lock them. Then took their personal bags to a separate room that was locked so no one could get anything they weren't allowed to have.
After dropping their bags off, everyone was directed to a large room and seated cross legged and nearly touching each other. Here two drill sergeants passed out forms that everyone filled out with information ranging from personal contact information for next of kin to allergies. Instruction was also given on the schedule of day to day events.
Such as 0430 wakeup followed by 0445 formation for PT(physical training). After everything was done the drill sergeants looked at each other.
"Looks like we have 30 minutes until chow battle."
"Feels a little dry in here, don't you think battle."
"I sure do." They then looked at the privates sitting in front of them, stood and moved the desk and chairs they had been using to a corner.
"ON YOUR FEET! SPREAD OUT AND GET INTO A PUSHUP POSITION!" Once everyone was situated further instructions were given. "Now when I say down you move to the down position and call out 'Attention to detail' when I say up you say, 'Teamwork is key'. Do you understand?"
"DRILL SERGEANT YES DRILL SERGEANT!"
"LOUDER!"
"DRILL SERGEANT YES DRILL SERGEANT!"
"Down."
"ATTENTION TO DETAIL!"
"Up."
"TEAMWORK IS KEY!"
And so, it continued for nearly thirty minutes inside the stuffy room with no air conditioning and closed doors and windows. The floors had pools of sweat and the walls were beginning to sweat from the humidity created from 92 rabbits panting and sweating.
"ON YOUR FEET!"
Everyone quickly stood up at attention as they had been told before. Directed to go outside back to the large concrete pad where they were shook down for contraband and formed a rough looking rectangular formation.
After making adjustments to the formations the company that had been divided into three platoons, they were marched to the chow hall. Rushed in to get plates sit down and quickly eat, mostly swallow whole, their food and then back out again within 20 minutes of the first bunny entering the doors.
Several plates with only partially eaten meals were thrown away as they failed to realize their time limits. The company was then marched back to the barracks and instructed to return to their rooms. There they stood at parade rest beside their bunks as a drill sergeant went from room to room showing everyone how to properly stack their equipment and put their uniforms on display within the wall locker.
Once finished they were instructed to remain at parade rest until further orders were given. After a while an announcement was made on a loud speaker instructing everyone to return outside again. Once there they were told to use the payphones behind them to call home and let family know they made it and they were safe and unharmed. Nothing more.
Logan tried calling home only for no one to answer. He wasn't surprised, most of his family was either out in the fields or tending to young ones this time of day. He tried a couple of other numbers which did not receive answers as well. It was strange that no one would answer so he tried one more number. The number to his grandfather's house.
His grandfather was not the nicest of rabbits. He spoke very little and was sometimes cruel when he did.
"Hello?" came the voice of his grandfather Joe.
"Hey pawpaw. It's Logan. I just started basic training. I tried calling mom and dad but no one answered the phone. Will you let them know I made it safely?"
Not sure how his grandfather would respond Logan readied himself to hang up the phone and get back to his platoon formation. What he heard was intriguing and probably the most conversation he had ever had with him.
"Yeah I can tell them. Pretty tough isn't it."
Logan was stunned for a second. His grandfather never offered conversation. He quickly recovered and replied.
"Yeah it is and we're just getting started." It was then that Logan remembered. His grandfather had served as a mechanic in the air force years ago. His reason for joining was to get out of Deerebrook county. "I guess you'd know better than anyone huh?"
"Yeah."
Realizing the conversation was fizzling out Logan quickly ended before he got into trouble for talking to long. "Okay pawpaw I gotta go tell everyone I love them, goodbye."
"Okay, bye boy."
And just like that, the most in-depth conversation with his grandfather was over. Logan went and got into formation and awaited as the others finished their phone calls. Once everyone was finished they were once again subjected to a series of pushup and other exercises while waiting for chow time. With plenty of water breaks to cope with the heat.
After evening chow, they were taken back to the barracks and into the war room again. Everyone was hesitant about being in there again. Only this time the drill sergeants came in and took off their hats. Placing them on the table they sat at.
"Okay privates, here's how things are going to go."
For the next couple of hours, they spent their time asking and answering questions. A few jokes were made and laughs at others expense. More instruction was given on what was expected and what everyone could expect in the upcoming days. Everything from how to make a bed to how to properly wear their uniform and march.
Soon it was 2100 and time for lights out. As Logan lay in the bed under the rough sheets and wool blanket, he thought about the days to come and where his friend Judy may be now. He closed his eyes and allowed the exhaustion from the day's events over take him.
What you've just read is my personal experience from the first day of U.S. Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO. From leaving the reception station to joining my training company, everything is from my point of view. Even the conversation with my grandfather. I left a few things out mostly because I don't remember every single detail. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter even though it sent a shiver down my spine.