Army Part 2

At the end of basic training they post a list of your assigned "mos", which is armyspeak for "military occupational specialty".  Most of my fellow draftees were assigned the dreaded 11b, combat infantryman job.  This was readily acknowledged as your express ticket to Vietnam.  But first you also get a next duty station assignment which is nearly always AIT, advanced infantry training, basically more of the same stuff in basic training.  A very few received other orders, like Fitzgerald going to OCS and lucky me assigned directly to Ft. Bliss, Texas as a company clerk.  I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the long dead Mrs. Neth for giving me typing skills which served to both make my army life easier, possibly even saving my life, and assisting in writing this blog.

So, reporting to my job, and it was just that, inventory supply clerk in a Hawk missile company with 9-5 hours, even working with some civilian clerks.  The officer in charge was a warrant officer very near retirement  (the only CW4 rank I ever saw), an ROTC shave tail 2nd lieutenant was his superior, but CW4 Dieter was the real power.  A lifer alcoholic E8 First sergeant was also passing time until retirement.  I still remember his sage advice to me, "Private Hall, if you drink, don't drive.....cause you might spill some".  Good call, Sarge.  There was also an Hispanic E6 sergeant who really did run things.  I am convinced that he was stealing the supply blind.  It was just too easy.  A specialist I worked with showed me his very complete auto tool set that he had stolen.  Rounding out the office was buck sergeant Barry recently back from 'Nam who was a real jerk.  I was the lowest ranking guy, which was fine with me. 

A couple of "moments" stand out in my memory.  I was in a jeep with another guy on some errands.  He left me in the parked vehicle outside an office.  Idly sitting there, no smartphone to entertain me, a group came out and walked past the Jeep.  Among them were a command sergeant major, easily the most powerful rank in the army, and his full bird colonel.  They walked by, then the sergeant returned and asked me why I didn't salute.  I replied, I have only been in the army 4 months and was not aware of the requirement to salute if I am sitting in a vehicle when he walks by.  He then asked which unit I was in.  Like an idiot, I told him the truth.  The next day I get called into the office and am asked about the incident.  I told them about it, and my ignorance regarding the saluting thing.  They said I could receive a article 13 disciplinary action.  Wow.  So my punishment became confined to quarters for a week, which meant that I had to go home after work.  Harsh.  LOL. More about my home later.

The second incident I remember well was having an "IG, Inspector General" inspection.  It was a real big deal as we had to verify counts on the inventory cards with the actual parts.  There were thousands of items, and some had lots of quantities.  There were ever increasing levels of supervisors going over our counts.  The lieutenant, who I believe was probably 22 years old, my age at the time, was busting our asses.  He challenged me on a big box of nuts or bolts, and just fucking with him on the count (probably a thousand), I told him that we just weigh one item, then the box, then by multiplication gives us the total.  He nodded, but looked a little skeptical.  Later, during the actual inspection by a major, he told him what I had said, not attributing it to me.  The major called bullshit on him, and told him to count them.  The lieutenant gave me a look that, if looks could kill......

More about Ft. Bliss later.