Once my busload of Marine hopefuls entered the processing barracks, the "fun" began. Among a flurry of shouted orders, the head bobbing came to a halt and an orderly filling in the blanks began. It was basically who you were, where you came from, education level, and a torrent of "Where the HELL did the recruiter find your SORRY ASS". My favorite part was when we were instructed to file to the front of the room and declare what we had in our pockets. I'll tell you this...I thanked God that I cut the colored mohawk that I had off my head and ditched the leather jacket for very conservative chinos. But I watched in mixed humor and profound dread as the not-so-smart gained the attention of the Drill Instructor.

"Hey Son," began a Drill Instructor, "I'm sure you're not going to need these condoms while you're here. You should have left them with Suzie RottenCrotch. I'm sure she could put them to good use while you're here!"

And so went my first nght. After this, I got my scalp shaved, I took a shower by the numbers, and was given an initial issue. Then at around 5 or 6 am I got to sleep, and sleep I did...for a few hours until I was awakened to "start" the day.

Three or four days later I was assigned to Platoon 1068 1st Marine Corps Battalion which commenced training on July 2, 1985. My Drill Instructors were, and believe me, I will never forget these men as they shaped the rest of my life, Senior Drill Instructor GySgt. Dawson. Platoon 1068 was GySgt. Dawson's final platoon before leaving the drill field. Second in command of the platoon was Assistant Drill Instructor SSgt. Gladden, who with a look could make a "round do bends and thrusts" before sending it to the unfortunate sniper that fired it at him. And finally, Assistant Drill Instructor Sgt. Zes, who with his massive arms shaped us into molds of himself with honor, courage, and integrity. I completed training on September 13, 1985 and was assigned to Landing Support Battalion. After 30 days of leave and another 30 days of Recruiter Assistance I reported to the United States Marine Corps Combat Engineer Instruction Company, Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where I become a Red Patcher and so the story continues.