An Old Soldier Looks Back – Chapter 2
Of all my training in the army I have to say that I liked the paratroop training the best. We were a volunteer outfit. None of us had to be there and there is a special esprit de corps of a group like that which is unique and very powerful. After four weeks of paratroop training we were really soldiers fit for almost any assignment. There were four weeks of very, very intense physical punishment.
The first week was nothing but calisthenics for 8 hours a day. On Saturday morning we had a run which meant we ran for four hours. Friday night I went to the PX, Post Exchange, and had a huge strawberry malted milk shake. Saturday morning I woke up barely able to breathe, my eyes were swollen almost shut and I really had a case of the hives. I guess it was the strawberries but I never knew for sure. I went on sick call, my first time in the army to go on sick call and I sat and waited for the doctor until almost noon. By that time the hives had subsided and it did indeed look like I had gone on sick call just to miss the Saturday morning run.
When I reported back to the company the first sergeant gave me a severe tongue lashing as only a first sergeant can do. I was put on KP immediately and was told to stay with the mess sergeant until Monday morning when I would be transferred to the next incoming company and would get the privilege of taking A stage again. I really didn’t mind because I liked the physical training and that Friday night I avoided the strawberry malted milk. There is a something about running in formation with a group of physically tough young men that is designed to make you think you are really tough. I know that I have never in my life been in better physical shape than I was on that day. I know I could have run another four hours and had energy left over.
I did not especially want to enter battle as a paratroop however. My goal was to make four jumps and then quit. I knew it would be unpleasant to quit but I have to admit I was trying to not be in the battle as a paratrooper. I would have been in the 82nd Airborne division if I had stayed. I made my four jumps and Thursday after the fourth jump I reported to the first sergeant and informed him I was going to quit. It was legal and acceptable up to five jumps, after that it was a court martial offense to refuse to jump. I got the tongue lashing I expected and he shouted to me that I was gong to the front lines, to which I replied that I expected that anyway.
I was then transferred to Ft. Meade, Maryland which was a POE (Port of Exportation). When I got to Fort Meade, the first sergeant asked me if I could type and when I gave him the affirmative answer I got a job until I was to be shipped out.
