College Prep in High School
I followed a college prep track in high school. I also worked in central-california”> in the fields in the early 1970s, and I knew I wasn’t cut out. It was a field. like being outside, but there was enough time for me to prune and harvest the grapes.
Before graduation I talked to my high school classmate who had been in the Army. The army would be a good place for adults to get some experience, to be around male leaders, and also to get G I bill benefits. help pay for college.
Confused by more than 300 possible work options, I thought I’d try something basic: footwork. Well, I didn’t want to just be an infantry soldier, so I opted for Airborne training and reenactors enjoyed it. The conversation went something like this:
INQUIRER: “Hey, kid, you want to see what the real army is like? How about trying the infantry branch? You can be with your buddies, go hiking and camping, and shoot guns! Does that sound good?”
Bernie: “Whatever sounds good is a sign for me.”
INQUIRER: “If you want to be above the cut, apply to Airborne school. Only the best soldiers try Airborne school.”
Bernie: “Only the best? All the way to the air! Add me.”
QUESTIONER: “Listen. If you want to be the best, Airborne Rangers jump out of planes, ride in helicopters, in submarines, big guns, big explosions, lots of pilgrimage Pilgrimage”
Bernie: “Sure you want to be one of the best. Big guns? Helicopters? Big explosions? Sign me up!”
Those recruits are probably still laughing at that 17 year old.
Stove basic training
Basic training is now closed at Ft. Orel, CA is not bad. We were right on California-beach, a nice sea breeze, a bright day, and I didn’t see her to see. or a bad experience.
Running, pushups, flatter-ups, but shoot the legendary m-16 rifle! I was a shooter in high school, and I did well. He finally shot 40 out of 40 targets, earning him the “Expert Lason” rating.
All Rangers are skilled hunters. I enjoyed running and being with the guys, like other athletic team events back in high school. Most of us were just out of high school or within a few years.
Air infantry
The infantry school was at Ft. Benning, GA. Four months of advanced training are similar to basic training: group exercises, running, pushups, sit-ups, hiking, camping, they enjoyed this.
He liked to be in the woods; I liked being “part of the team.” There was also an Airborne school at Ft. Benning, to take no part in the journey. Airborne school starts before dawn with a group of soldiers shouting at you to go.
Physical exercises are designed to relieve those who cannot cushion with hard hands. My thought was, “These are American soldiers, trying to see what mental toughness we bring to Airborne school.”
Everyone was driven by the policemen to their own. When I was done pushing, I did a few more pushups and got back to work. This helped us learn that we are stronger than we initially thought.
Some of the soldiers were quiet, but I needed to prove that I could do this. All the others who wore Airborne wings had passed through this, so I could hope well.
In addition to other infantry skills, we went parachute jumping. This was, after all, why the school was called Airborne. Remember seeing those guys jumping out of airplanes in all those World War II movies?
The first week is continuous, vigorous physical training, and many soldiers do not continue the 3-week Airborne training course. The next few weeks included static line drops and drops from a 250-foot tower.
When I stood in line, I watched all the soldiers before me. Each of us was hauled up to the hooks up to the body harness and thence 250 feet to the summit. He was released by parachute from the tower and was falling to the ground. I had just completed my first parachute experience! The customer is very happy.
I was a little mad at the comrades who were standing in line, seeing others with sickles and parachutes. I was amazed when they succeeded the first train, and then they could not take the plan.
Tacitus was surprised, “What do you think? It’s called Airborne school for a reason.” Thus we lost another group of soldiers to the “right foot of the foot.”
Skip week
Last week at Airborne School, not surprisingly, we boarded a Hercules C-130 airplane (you may have seen them in the movies), ready for our first real parachute jump. At this moment we have often been on earth;
“Get up, check your equipment, check the static line,” the forest owner roared. Again, this is Airborne school, why were you here? It is not a secret; jump from the boat with a parachute No wonder.
I was surprised again the number of guys who reached this point, the first line, and did not jump! Did you see dozens of guys in front of you who jumped out the door? Have you spent weeks on the ground watching jumpers hit their silk parachutes, wishing you were one of them?
When you get to the front line, the forest boss looks at you, points to the door and shouts “Go!” If you hesitate, he shouts “Go!” repeated If the soldier does not jump at that point, he will be removed from the line and will not graduate from the Airborne School. This is called ‘Airborne school’ reason fella!
I will admit that I took a big breath, looking up at 3,000 feet of sky above the ground, but I said to myself, “Why do you sacrifice for this, you will just take a step, and it will be fine.” Then he was overcome with fear, and I took one step. To calm my nerves, I deliberately honored the Native Americans by silently saying “Geronimo”, but I was also afraid to produce anything. .
In less than one second I was outside the door, and immediately the parachute was deployed; he sees a static line. My fear was overcome in a moment, and I remembered how calm it was to just swim to land.
The first time I hit the ground, I wanted to go back and do it again. He was now an elite member of the Airborne. 13 years later, 38 qualified jumps. I only need two to be recognized as a Senior Parachutist. I didn’t get those two jumps, but I will always be proud of my Airborne uniform wings on my chest.
I also went to Ranger School and served with the 2nd Ft Rangers. Louis, Berlin. I have no funny stories from Ranger school. There is no laughter in the said. It was just hard. (Hello Rangers I know what it is).
College after the Army
I used my high school college prep track, and my college with GI Bibl. Although I don’t give any credit, I focus on the academic world. I am now a professor at a local university.
