The men looked sharp for inspection. My father served as a drill instructor at Ft. Benning. Unlike other career soldiers, he didn’t take it home to his children. We saw another side of him at home. But this day was all army.
The men fell out and entered the barracks. My dad let me hang out with the trainees. It was then that I heard one trainee’s profound statement, “You only think you know the army…until you wear the uniform.”
Years later I was issued my own set of fatigues. On my first full day I was assigned to kitchen police aka KP. We were awakened before the other men. Upon arrival I was given my very first military assignment…directly behind the kitchen. The E5 wore a crisp white uniform. He pointed at some large garbage cans and curtly ordered, “Clean them.”
I didn’t join the army to clean a bunch of garbage cans. These cans were literally covered with raw garbage. Stunned, I just nodded my head in assent.
The sargeant dissappeared. It was just me and those garbage cans on a dark lonely morning. I was paralyzed with fear. I stood there looking at the daunting task.
Well before sunrise, the Sarge returned. My body remained in the exact position as when he left me…the cans also took up their original repose. It was a technical standoff.
Sarge barked, “Did I not make myself perfectly clear?” I nodded in assent. “Do you think you can disobey an order soldier?” I nodded to the negative. My eyes betrayed my best military stance, as the tears began to silently flow.
He inquired briskly, “How old are you troop?” I responded, “Seventeen sargeant, I just turned seventeen. I don’t know how to clean a garbage can. But, I am sure that I could Sargeant.”
Sarge assured me that he had given me the best detail on KP. He grabbed a can and a power sprayer to wet the can. He filled a small pail with soapy water and loosened the contents of the first can, with that mighty brush. He finally blasted the can with a good rinse. It shined inside and out…squeaky clean. Turning, he asked, “Can you handle that private?” I quickly assured him that I could do that. Sarge disappeared again.
That power hose could make mince meat out of that garbage. I started knocking them out, one can at a time. They all shined, just like the one the sargeant showed me. This job was easy.
My father was deployed almost all of my early teen years. There were lots of father-son things that I missed in being a military dependent. But I didn’t want to be returned home by failing to adjust to military standards. I had to grow up at warp speed to wear the uniform.
By the time Sarge returned, every last can was spotless. He looked at them with a glimmer of pride, as I stood tall before him. After his nod I asked, “What would you like me to do now Sargeant?”
He replied, “Follow me.”
He led me to the serving line and told the trainees, “Give him all the chow he wants to eat.” He then pointed at the table where I would chow down. It was one one the best plates I ever ate in this man’s army.
Just before I finished eating, Sarge returned. He said, “Your KP is finished. If anyone asks you, tell them that I said to take the day off. You did a good job soldier. If they question that, have them call me.”
I was already finished work as the sun came up! I spent the day in leisurely fashion. We would move out for basic training in the morning.
Currahees…I obviously learned a lesson that solitary morning. Most jobs are not half as hard as they look. I thereafter tackled many new projects and learned by doing.
I also saw a rare form of leadership. The Sarge could have disciplined me, but he instead sized me up. He led by example. He also generously rewarded genuine effort.
My intention was to wear my uniform to be just like my Dad. The uniform didn’t immediately make me a soldier. But I wore that uniform daily…to face whatever tasks it demanded. Over time, the uniform’s duties made the soldier.
In the end, I didn’t wear the uniform for my Dad; I wore the uniform for myself. I also wore it in respect of the men that I served with, those who served before me…and for those who serve now. The uniform shaped us all.
althompson101 