Happy birthday soldiers today is the U.S. army's birthday

[TEB]

The first army birthday I celebrated was June 14 1984. We stood at attention my platoon at fort benning. Over at harmony church in a old WW 2 Mess hall singing happy birthday to the army. And we had to sing it at least twice as our Senior Drill was not impressed with our attempt. And that second try fell short.

After chow we were smoked with push ups sit ups log drills and mountain climbers. By our senior Drill. Nothing unusual about getting smoked it was common at least five or six times a day maybe more it was a fact of day to day life a hard common. It was a special moment the army’s birthday I wasn’t feeling it.

Another reason was my platoon member another trainee was allowed to have a piece of cake on that day. He had real bad acne and our senior Drill informed him no cake or pie no sweets. On the first day of our 14 week of osut infantry cycle.

On that first day the Senior Drill informed his platoon of former civilians. That he served two tours Heavy combat tours in Vietnam.

And the second tour he volunteered to get away from his first wife. Standing at attention in platoon bay hearing that this SFC. Upon not being happily married and decided to spend a second time fighting the NVA instead of stateside with his first wife. I’m thinking WTF did I get myself into ok. I have 35 months and three weeks and four days on my enlistment.

And as he walked in the middle of the platoon bay. Eyeing all of us up he saw a young trainee with bad acne. And after punishing us all with sit ups and mountain climbers in platoon bay. Reason the army sent him a ugly acne infested civilian how dare they disrespect him. The young soldier with bad acne who would be now known as private qausimodo. Would not be allowed any cake pie chocolate milk for the next 14 weeks. As sweets cause acne according to the Senior Drill.

Sweating in the front leaning rest position I’m thinking to myself. Fucking great not only is this Senior Drill not great at marriage. He has a desire to be a fucking dermatologist. years later singing happy birthday I would often remember that June 14 and smile.

So happy birthday troopers why I think I’ll make shit on a shingle this morning. In memory of our alma mater.