Basic Training

Several nights later, Isla found some time to return to Hitch's journals. These entries were from the second half of his Basic Training in the fall and early winter of 1940.

Still getting bugged to become an officer. I think my placement exam has them confused. They aren't quite sure what to do with me since I refuse to become an officer. It will be interesting to see what they have in store for specialized training once I finish Basic. Still having to prove myself to some of the guys because of who my father is and his trying to get me reassigned. I'm used to it by now. I guess I was just hoping it would go away once I was on my own. I just keep setting the bar higher for myself to prove I'm not some pampered rich kid relying on Daddy to pave the way.

My mother and Vi write every week and I get a letter every few days from Isla. The guys know when it's from her by the smell of her perfume and they always gather around to see if she's sent any more pictures of her fellow Rockettes. She always sends pictures. I'm excited that I finish Basic just before Christmas and plan to use my time off to see her perform in the Christmas show at Radio City. She'll be a part of the Wooden Soldiers number they do every year and I'm looking forward to seeing her. No word from my father but I'm not surprised or even upset.

It's been strange the last several weeks. It's almost like they've decided I've somehow finished my training early. They've pulled me from my platoon several times and sent me to some specialized training. This isn't normally done until Basic is over. So far, I've had an intensive 2 weeks in communications—learning to put together different components, radio repair, etc. I've qualified as a sharpshooter, and I hold the camp record for fastest time to break down and reassemble a weapon. When I'm not off getting additional training, I'm back with my platoon. Some of them see this as "special treatment" but to me, it's just additional duty. There's several others who are going through similar extra classes. Getting ready to start some further ordnance training which I should enjoy since I do like a good explosion. Thankfully, no potting sheds will be involved.

Today I fell in love. She's so exotic and beautiful. She should be wearing a deep shade of blue or red instead of dull fatigue green. She purred like a kitten in my hand, and I couldn't get enough of her. She's become my true love, and I can't wait to return to her tomorrow. I would love to spend the night with her, watching over her, but unfortunately that's not allowed.

It broke my heart to witness some of the others treating her shabbily and complaining about her being obstinate. I guess we just have a connection and I want to spent every waking moment with her. I call her Aurora for the way she glimmers in the early dawn light. I'd love to see what she could do in the mountains or the desert.

Hear Isla had to laugh out loud when she realized Hitch was writing about his first encounters with driving a jeep.

She's fabulous and unlike any experience I've ever had. Wherever I end up, I hope it will include time behind the wheel of a jeep. Better still, I hope when the war is over, they will be sold to civilians. Today I got to drive all over the base and had a ball. Would love to have the opportunity to test her on an open road and really open her up. Got a look at her engine and if it is up to me, I will always make sure she is tuned up and running smoothly.

Not another training on STD's! When will they stop already? Tomorrow I have my consultation where I find out where I'm being sent after Basic. Hope it's someplace I can see some action instead of behind a desk somewhere.

After the New Year, I will be heading to the DTC (Desert Training Center) in the Mojave Desert for 13 weeks of desert training. Then it's on to CBTC (Commando Basic Training Center) at Achnacarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands. I can hardly believe it! I've always loved the Highlands when visiting with Granny Mac. I will do everything I can to learn as much as possible. I'm thinking I might then get posted to North Africa.

Basic graduation is tomorrow but I haven't told my parents and Isla can't get away from the Rockettes since they're doing the big annual Christmas Spectacular. I'll see her when I get back to New York. As soon as the ceremony is over and we're dismissed, I'm boarding a train back home to see her perform. I'm hoping to see my mother and Vi but don't really care to see my father.

Boy, was I ever surprised. I did have someone at my graduation. Granny Mac came to represent Isla. It was good to see her. She's been like a grandmother to me since mine passed away. They were close friends, and she often tells me stories of the two of them together when they were young. She's a good listener and has always totally supported me, even when I told her everything I learned about jeeps. Isla is so much like her.

She's taking the same train back to NYC, so we'll have time to make some plans. She's already given me the key to her apartment and let her staff know that I will be staying there. She's come up with a plan for me to meet with Violet and Mother while I'm there. She thinks my father is wrong in trying to control my life and wishes he could accept that I am now an adult.

So good to see Isla again. We spent hours catching up and I got to see her perform with the Rockettes. She told me what to watch for in the Wooden Soldiers number so I could see how they "fall" in slow motion at the end of the dance. Once she explained everything, it was easy to spot but I'm sure it took hours of practice. She had a photographer take our picture while she was in one of the costumes that makes her legs look like they go on forever—which they practically do. She promises to get an 8 x 10 copy before I leave for DTC. She and I went Christmas shopping together and spent time viewing all the store window displays like we usually do on Christmas Eve.

Today I got to surprise my Mother and Vi. Granny Mac had invited them to do some Christmas shopping with her and Isla and have lunch at the "Bird Cage" restaurant inside "Lord and Taylor's." I joined them as they were being seated and the look of surprise on their faces were priceless. My very proper Mother threw all sense of decorum out the window and hugged me right there with Violet following suit. We had a great time together and my mother made me promise to join them for Christmas Day. I realized I had to swallow my feelings about my father so as not to disappoint their celebration. I'll do my best to keep my mouth shut and not rise to his baiting. I'll also stay as far away from him as possible.

I attended the late service at church on Christmas Eve and sat alone in the balcony. I could see my family and the MacKenzies all seated together. Isla was playing the harp and Violet was singing with the youth choir, so I had to be there for them.

Christmas Day wasn't too bad. My father grudgingly shook my hand and said it was good to see me but the disappointment on his face was loud and clear. The truce held until I was about to return to Granny Mac's apartment, and he had a few choice words to say about my ruining my life. I hastily said goodbye and left before saying something I would regret.

The week between Christmas and New Year, I was able to see my mother and Vi several times but spent most of the time with Isla. We did dinner and dancing several nights after her show was over. It feels so good walking into a nightclub with her on my arm. She is so beautiful, and I know I am the envy of every man in the room when she is dressed for the evening. The greatest part is that we are truly just friends so there's no expectations. We never run out of things to talk about.

I'm on the train heading to Southern California and the DTC. I'm looking forward to the experience and where it will take me.