ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 16, 2022 12:28:08 GMT -6
Thanks for your work.
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Post by cavsgt on Mar 16, 2022 12:35:35 GMT -6
It is all coming together, but will it be in time.
Thank You again
phill
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 16, 2022 15:37:29 GMT -6
Chapter 16 - Doubling Down
Liam was looking at the plans for the electrical circuits in the bunker when Dave stopped by.
"Whatcha doing Hoss?" Dave asked.
I'm trying to figure out how to run commercial power to the refrigerator and freezer in the bunker." Liam replied.
Dave looked at him funny.
"Come on, let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"The bunker."
They went down to the basement and the bunker door. Going inside, Liam reached up to turn the generators on.
"Don't do that!" Dave said.
Reaching over to another switch, Dave turned the lights on.
"How did you…"
"Hoss, you have an automatic transfer switch. It works both ways. When you connected the house it connected the bunker, just like they originally had it. They didn't run the generators to go down into it. Let's go down to the kitchen area."
They walked down the stairs and through the corridors to the kitchen. Dave reached down and plugged in the glass front refrigerator and the compressor started working. Liam just shook his head.
"Damn! I'm stupid." Liam said.
"Ignorant, yes. Stupid? Not by a long shot." Dave said.
Dave reached down and unplugged the refrigeration unit.
"Now, let's go through and cut the individual light switches off in each room so you're not using so much electricity. When you are ready to use the freezer and refrigerator, just plug it in. the freezer power switch is right here on the wall. Just pull this lever down and it will start the compressor on. If you need freon, let me know. I can replace it for you."
"Thanks Dave. You've lifted a burden off my shoulders and Ginny off my ass."
The next few months they added a two years supply of food after Ginny found out the real no use date on canned goods. She subscribed to magazines that gave her even more information on subsistence living. The garden turned out plenty of food for them to can to last them through the winter months and on through to the new harvest. They bought cases upon cases of canning jars and lids. They felt a lot of pride when canning time was over and they inspected the rows of jars they had put up. Another thing Ginny found out by reading her magazines was that the seeds they had been buying couldn't be saved and planted the next year. So she ordered heirloom seeds and with the exception of some of the hybrids they liked, they mostly planted heirloom and saved some of the seeds for the next year.
They were going to every estate sale that was advertised and even bought from people who weren't having a sale but were persuaded to sell what Ginny was looking for.
"Why are you buying so much non-electric stuff?" Liam asked.
"Honey. The generator fuel tank is only supposed to last for a year. What happens after that? We would be back in the 1870s lifestyle."
Liam thought about what she said and it changed his mind on many things.
Ginny wouldn't miss an estate or yard sale. Liam went sometimes but he and Cole worked on the shelving in the storage rooms or other projects. They would over order materials for their projects so they would always have something to do. They ended up putting shelving in eight of the sixteen rooms. The other rooms were being used for heavy things, like 50 lb. boxes of nails. They had one storeroom that was specifically for hardware. Liam was collecting a lot of hardware that could be in short supply. He just gathered up the most common used things and kept his mind open to others.
They made a few trips to Knoxville to buy fabric and other things and always stopped by the bookstores. Their number one place to visit were the magazine racks. They would pick out those magazines that had to do with farming, living without electricity, and living off the land. From the magazines, Ginny ordered dozens catalogs, especially seed and those that had Amish made items or were made for the Amish lifestyle..
They continued to go to Sam's Club to stock up on more things. They bought more paper towels, toilet tissue, paper plates, cups, plastic utensils and spices. They stocked a minimum of one year's supply of personal hygiene supplies. Ginny practiced making her own bread and they began to enjoy it more than what they had been buying in the store. She was also not hesitant to remind Liam of what wouldn't be available if the balloon went up. Liam found an abattoir so he began buying cattle on the hoof and having them slaughtered and packaged.
Cole received his High School Diploma when he was sixteen with no problems. Now, when he they made trips to Knoxville, he always wanted to stop by the used book stores near the University of Tennessee and pick up text books college students had sold. Many of them looked like they were barely opened. Liam asked him if he wanted to go to college and Cole told him no, he just wanted the knowledge right then. Maybe he would go later. They had fenced off the old antenna field and divided it into pastures for the beef cattle they raised and for the mules and horses. They were going to get pigs too but the neighbor down the road raised them so they bought the pigs for slaughter from him.
Dave and Ellen got married and Liam put Dave on salary. He was over there more days than not anyway. They had the well checked out at the edge of the field below and found it was good water so Liam told Dave they could get out of the rental they were in and set up a double-wide down near the well.
With Dave's guidance, Cole honed his hunting and shooting skills. When he went for deer, he always got one, but would only go a couple of times a year. He talked Liam into getting the mineral blocks at the farm store to set out for the deer and Cole began to plant food plots for the animals. There was always game near the pond and if needed, they could live off wild game if they needed the protein,
They took the partition walls out of the large officer's sleeping area and rebuilt it into six spacious bedrooms. It took several months and they were still mulling over what they would do with the open bay area. Cole joked about using one toilet a day and not have to clean it until you came back to the first toilet, which Ginny didn't think was a bright idea. They did turn the foyer area into sort of a recreation/movie cum reading room.
They had all the fuel tanks topped of every year but Liam had turned to making the house they'd built livable without electricity. With extensive work, Liam had a chimney flue put on the outside wall of the kitchen. A few months and several thousand dollars bought them a large wood-burning kitchen stove that could be added at a later date. Only a flue cover showed where the addition would go. Liam also purchased an outside wood furnace that could take the place of the oil furnace if or when they ran out of fuel oil. They ran it sometimes in the winter to become familiar with its operation. Liam liked it simply because it was more hands-on and gave him a sense of being in control. It was more work, but work wasn't something he was adverse to.
"Dad, can I talk to you?"
"Sure Cole. You know you can talk to me about anything."
"Dad, I was thinking. I'm going to be 18 in a couple of months. What do you think about me going into the military?"
"Well, I don't think it will hurt you, although not everyone is cut out for it. I'm not saying you're one of them but you'll get a full cross-section of people in this country and some of them are people you could do without being around. That's just in the beginning of your training. The training will weed out most of the bad apples but there's always that 10% that slip through one way or another. But, if that's what you want to do, then you have my blessing,"
"Thanks Dad. I guess I'd better talk to Momma."
Liam smiled. "Yes, I guess you'd better.
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Post by gipsy on Mar 16, 2022 17:43:45 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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Post by udwe on Mar 16, 2022 19:43:01 GMT -6
Didn't see that coming!
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tzr
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by tzr on Mar 17, 2022 2:12:58 GMT -6
This is taking place in the late seventies, right? Is son Cole the same Cole in the Grace Series?
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 17, 2022 5:39:38 GMT -6
This is taking place in the late seventies, right? Is son Cole the same Cole in the Grace Series? Their mother's went to different schools together...
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 17, 2022 11:49:46 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 17, 2022 23:06:13 GMT -6
Chapter 17 - Leaving The Nest
The Boyle family made their monthly trip to Sam's that week. And of course they stopped off to the book store to see what was new. Cole was browsing through an electronics magazine and came across an article about computers and IBM coming out with a version for home use. A lot of other start-up companies were coming up with their own versions. When he read about the vision of what computers could do, he was hooked. He tried to tell his parents the benefits of a computer but the best he could make his mother understand was it was an intelligent typewriter. He looked for other magazines that had articles about computers and bought them all. On the way home, Cole quietly read in the back seat.
When they got everything unloaded and inventoried, Cole went straight to his room with his magazines. His mind locked onto the IBM personal computer but he was soon drawn to the Compaq portable computer. It could run the same software as the IBM computer and there were thousands of people coming out with new software every week. A few days later, he started writing down the options he wanted from the list offered and instead of having two 5.25" floppy disk drives, he opted for one floppy drive and a 10 MB hard drive. He took his research to his parents.
"Dad, Momma. I'd like to get a computer."
Liam and Ginny put down their books.
"Okay, why?"
"There are so many things a computers can do. We have been using analog computers for years. For instance, did you know they used analog computers to fire the guns on battleships? Today, we are going into the digital age and the things a computer will be able to do is limitless. I want to get into them now so I'll be able to understand the future potentials."
"Where would you get one of these computers?"
"There is a store in Knoxville that I could buy the one I want."
Col handed his father the list he had made with the price of the total cost.
"Great Scott Cole! This thing costs as much or more than some new cars!"
"I know Dad, but as they become more popular they will get cheaper. An article I read said it wouldn't be long before there was a personal computer in every home."
"Well, okay. We can get one. But I don't want you spending all hours of the day in front of it. We can go tomorrow…Ginny? Do you want to take a trip to Knoxville in the morning?"
"Sure. I need some quilt batting."
"Okay then, we leave in the morning after breakfast Cole."
Cole grinned. "Thanks Dad!"
They left after breakfast and arrived at the store close to 10:15. Cole told the salesman what he wanted and they had to pull one of the floppy drives and replace it with a cover, but that only took a couple of minutes. Liam saw they also had dot matrix printers on display so he had Cole add one and the proper cables to the purchase. Cole also got several replacement ribbons for the printer. Cole also wanted to stop and buy fan-fold paper so they stopped at an office supply and bought two boxes. They stopped at one of Ginny's favorite fabric shops and bought plenty of batting and a basket full of things she "might" need later. When they got home, Liam helped Cole carry the boxes to his room where Cole opened the boxes, pulled out the manuals and read them from cover to cover before putting everything together.
Just before dinner, Cole came down and helped set the table.
"How's the computer?" Ginny asked.
"I haven't even turned it on yet. I read the manuals first, then went step by set plugging in everything. I was just reading the MS-Basic program manual. After dinner, I'll check out the software that came with it."
"Oh, okay."
After dinner, Liam helped Ginny do the dishes while Cole went back upstairs.
"Aren't you going to go up and check things out?" Ginny asked.
"Nope. I wouldn't know what I was looking at anyway. I'll let him teach us what we need to know. When he's ready, I will listen and try to understand."
The disaster at Chernobyl in 1986 was the biggest news of the year, and it concerned Liam because he saw the films on TV of entire villages evacuated. Deserted homes and shops standing there empty. It showed the Russian and Ukrainian troops going around in protective gear with radiation monitors marking safe areas. Liam had no way to detect radiation and started researching and finding out where he could purchase the monitors and protective clothing. He decided to buy things in tens and ordered ten kits, still in the box, containing a CDV-715 Radiological Survey Meter Geiger Counter Model 1A With CDV-750 Radiological Dosimeter Charger Model No. 5b. Liam checked the last calibration date and noted on a 3x5 card stapled to the shelf the next date they needed to be re-calibrated. He purchased twenty CBRN Protective Overgarments with gloves from a company that made them for the government. Protective masks with cases of extra filters were purchased from a similar company. After Carter and Clinton cut the budgets that funded programs to assist state governments to purchase and maintain Civil Defense equipment, Liam was able to pick up a lot more equipment that the government was selling.
Cole became proficient with the computer and taught Ginny and Liam how to use it. Ginny was elated she now type up recipes and print them out, saving them in the binder. When Cole became aware he could reach out to the world through a modem, Liam purchased one and soon found he had to limit the time he used it because they couldn't receive incoming calls, or call anyone while Cole was using. Liam finally had a second line put in but they still limited Cole to the time he could spend. Cole searched for all kinds of Bulletin Board Systems for different subject related BBS sites. He stumbled across a site concerning Nuclear War Survival and showed it to Liam, who sat down for an hour doing through the material. He copied and printed several articles to keep in his files.
Nothing was said about Cole joining the military. He had talked to all the recruiters in the area and had lots of brochures, but he was yet to make a decision. He was really wrapped up in the computer.
After the harvest of the garden was complete and all the canning done, Cole came to his parents one night and said he needed to talk to them.
"Dad, Momma, I have thought it through and have decided to enlist in the military. I've decided on the Army. One, because I won't be that far from home and, two, I'll be going through training in the cooler weather at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. I can do an enlistment and get out, then use my G.I. Bill to get a degree in computers. Another reason I decided on the Army is that there aren't any wars going on and they mostly run through the woods shooting at trees and I'm used to running through the woods."
Liam grinned. "Well, there's a little more involved than running through the woods but I can understand the other reasons."
"When do you plan to go?" Ginny asked.
"I'll go tomorrow and talk to the recruiter in Johnson City and ask for the first available Basic Training class. That should give me leave time during Christmas for a week or two before I go for advanced training."
Ginny sighed and looked at Liam.
"Well son, I'm proud of what you want to do. You have thought it through and have a plan, but remember this; recruiters will say anything to get their quota so make sure you see what you want on paper before you sign anything."
"I will Dad."
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Post by gipsy on Mar 18, 2022 7:40:53 GMT -6
The beginning of the nerds taking over the world. Thanks for the update. I built my first computer from an empty case, up.
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Post by freebirde on Mar 18, 2022 13:08:53 GMT -6
This is taking place in the late seventies, right? Is son Cole the same Cole in the Grace Series? Had to go back to chapter 111 of "Finding Grace" (page 13) to find Colt Bennigan last name. Now I have one less problem getting free rent in my mind.
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Post by CountryGuy on Mar 18, 2022 13:11:34 GMT -6
"...but remember this; recruiters will say anything to get their quota so make sure you see what you want on paper before you sign anything."
never truer words have been spoken!
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Post by cavsgt on Mar 18, 2022 13:13:37 GMT -6
Thank You phill
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 18, 2022 13:59:21 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 18, 2022 14:34:12 GMT -6
Chapter 18 - The Molding Of A Man
Cole woke as the bus pulled into Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. The bus had left early that morning picking up small groups of new recruits front eastern Tennessee. He talked with his seatmate for a while but soon the steady drone of the bus wheels lulled him to sleep. The us went through the gates of the military post and made several turns, coming to a stop if front of what he assumed was a barracks building. Two Drill Sergeants paced outside of the bus, screaming for the recruits to fall into ranks. Cole grabbed his gym bag and fell in with the rest of the men and stood at attention. His father had worked with him on the various positions he would have to assume and in the proper way to salute. When all the men had fallen in, one of the Drill Sergeants gave them a facing movement and marched them to a dining facility where they had their first meal. They were on a time limit so Cole ate quickly. The food wasn't home cooking, but it was filling. Placing his empty tray in the rolling rack, Cole hurried outside and fell into a modified parade rest. When all the recruits had been accounted for, a Drill Sergeant marched them over to the Supply Room where they were issued linens, then marched to their barracks building, their home for the next few weeks. After demonstrating how to make their bunks up, The Drill Sergeant watch as the recruits attempted to mirror the Drill Sergeant's demonstration. Cole was commended on his bunk.
As he lay in his bunk that night, Cole was thinking he hadn't encountered anything Dave and his father hadn't warned him about. The yelling and threats from the sergeants were like water off a duck's back. He paid attention and did what he was told to do. Dave had warned him not to stand out too much but with the caliber of some of the men in his platoon, he couldn't help but be the lone lightbulb in a dark room.
The next morning they were issued their clothing and gear, issued five free name tags and told where to get them sewed on. They had classes in the platoon bay on how to assemble their web gear and how to maintain it. Most of the men paid attention but a few didn't. This would come back to haunt them later during training. Dave had told him that it was nothing but mind over matter. The sergeants didn't mind and the recruits didn't matter. The recruits had signed on the dotted line and they were expected to accept the training and pass the skills tests, otherwise the unwilling would be systematically booted from the service as undesirable to the needs of the military. The only problem was Cole had to break himself of closing his eyes when listening to the lectures. This was the way he had trained himself to memorize the exact words. When called to the Chief Drill Sergeant's office for "falling asleep." during a class on the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Cole stood at the position of attention in front of the sergeant's desk and listened to what the sergeant said and apologized, then explained that he had trained himself to remember subjects by closing his eyes and visualizing the words.
"Boyle, that's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. Next you'll be telling me you were praying! Okay, what were the instructor's words when the sergeant called you out?"
Cole closed his eyes, then slowly opened them.
"When a military member is wearing the uniform and receiving a salary from the Department of Defense, that military member has essentially signed away his First Amendment rights granted by the Constitution. The exact words of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 88 - Contempt Toward Public Officials states: "Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."
The Drill Sergeant stared at Cole for several seconds.
"My mother says I have an a eidetic memory." Cole offered.
"A what?"
"A photographic memory. Everything I read, I can remember. If it's a lecture, if I can visualize the words, I can remember them"
"Well, try staring off into a corner or something. Get outta here!"
The Chief Drill Instructor looked over to his 2IC. "That kid can go far."
Cole called his parents every weekend. They didn't make any plans on Sunday afternoons except wait for Cole's collect calls. They insisted he call collect even thought he was being paid $375.00 a month. He wasn't able to come home for Thanksgiving but his BCT class graduated just before Christmas just before Christmas and he would be allowed to take two weeks leave, then begin AIT in January. Ginny got the graduation date and she and Liam planned to attend it, and hopefully drive home with Cole.
Liam and Ginny drove down to Columbia the day before the graduation ceremony. They got a hotel room and were at the ceremony almost an hour early. When the graduating class marched by, Cole was marching in front of the platoon, next to the guidon bearer, as the Platoon Leader. When the ceremony was over and the troops were dismissed, Ginny waved frantically until Cole saw them and came over, grinning.
They stood talking for a few minutes when the Chief Drill Instructor approached them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Boyle, I presume?"
"Momma, Dad, this is Master Sergeant Walker. Sergeant Walker, my parents."
Master Sergeant Walker shook Liam's and Ginny's hands and commended them for raising such a fine young man.
"Private Boyle will do very well in the military. In fact, I have recommended he be placed on the advanced promotion list. He should start AIT as a Private First Class."
"Thank you Sergeant Walker. We've talked to Cole every weekend and he has done nothing but praise his time here."
Sergeant Walker nodded. "Well Boyle, good luck to you wherever to go."
Ginny squeezed Cole's arm.
"I am so proud of you! Let's get your things and we can start back home, but not before we've had lunch."
They went back to the barracks where Cole changed out of his uniform into comfortable traveling clothes, then they stopped at Little Pigs Barbecue for lunch and made the six hour trip home.
"It's good to be back." Cole said.
A much older Pete met them at the door beside himself. Pete may not could get around like he used to but he was a loving, loyal dog and whined and jumped on Cole like he was a pup. Cole almost had tears in his eyes as he hugged and petted Pete.
"I'm gonna take Pete for a walk." Cole said.
"Okay Honey." Ginny said. "I'll fix soup and sandwiches for dinner."
Cole got his old coat and hat and he and Pete went out to check out some of their old haunts.
"Buyer's remorse?" Ginny asked Liam.
"No, I don't think so. I think he realizes he's entering a new phase in his life and not everyone is going to be there to share his experiences with him." Liam said.
They had get-togethers with Dave and Ellen and Christmas was like old times. Cole and Pet took walks every day and Pete whined when he couldn't be by Cole's side. Three days before Cole was to return to Fort Jackson, he got out of bed, used the bathroom and went back in to get dressed. Pete hadn't moved from his bed. Cole reached to rub his head and Pete was stiff. He felt around a little more and Pete was cold. Cole sat on the floor, rubbing Pete's head and crying like a baby. He was still in the same position when Ginny found him.
Liam built a casket that Pete and his bed could fit in in the position he left this plane in. Cole dug the grave on a knoll that he and Pete had sat frequently over the years, gazing out over the valley.
Ginny with watering eyes and a catch in her throat, read the Rainbow Bridge.
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together…."
- Author unknown
There were no dry eyes as Ginny and Liam watched a crying Cole slowly fill the grave. Once he had neatly smoothed the mound out, they slowly walked back to the house.
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Post by cavsgt on Mar 18, 2022 15:00:33 GMT -6
WOW It has been a while since I teared up at a poem. My trip to the Rainbow Bridge will be a very large event as we have had a bunch of dogs-cats-horses. Not ready to pass but this would make it a lot easier.
THANK YOU phill
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Post by texican on Mar 18, 2022 15:06:07 GMT -6
"...but remember this; recruiters will say anything to get their quota so make sure you see what you want on paper before you sign anything." never truer words have been spoken! My cousin Donnie was 2 years old than I am and it was in the middle of the Vietnam war. Donnie decided that he would enlist in the Air Force to learn a trade. The recruiter said no problem. Donnie spent his time overseas in Thailand loading bombs. Not very many jobs in the old USA for bomb loaders. Always read the fine print. Texican....
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 18, 2022 15:16:19 GMT -6
Never heard the rainbow bridge story before thank you.
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Post by gipsy on Mar 18, 2022 15:54:34 GMT -6
Lots of pets waiting for me. Thanks for the update.
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 19, 2022 4:35:56 GMT -6
Chapter 19 - A Man Of A Different Breed
It was a solemn trio that left to head back to Fort Jackson January 2nd. Liam finally got Cole to talk about the training.
"Dad, it is mostly mental. I did what they wanted and stuck to their rules. A lot of guys wasted time trying to do work-arounds and fell behind. It really wasn't that hard. The physical training wasn't hard, at least for me. I don't know why anyone would join the military and come in out of shape, but there were quite a few that had to do remedial training and were put on diet plans. They really coddled them. I guess they have some sort of quota they have to fill."
"So, have you G2'd the next phase of training?"
"Yeah. A lot of range and field training and such. It won't be so bad. I expect it to be cold, wet and miserable and then it'll be over then I'll head to my unit."
"You signed up for the 82nd at Fort Bragg, didn't you?"
"Yes Sir. Jumping out of airplanes sounded interesting and they seemed to stay busy."
Cole had to be back by 1800 so they had time to sit down and have dinner before he had to go on post. Cole had cheered up some so they had a lively conversation during dinner and he was looking forward to his next training assignment. They dropped him in front of the building he was to report to and went back off post to get a hotel.
"Can we take our time going back? There were a couple of places I'd like to stop at and look around. Ginny said.
"Sure. It's not like we have…."
"You miss Pete to, don't you."
"Yeah, I do. I know it's not realistic but you want them to be around forever."
Ginny pursed her lips as she looked out the window.
They stopped at three of antique shops on their way back and took a couple of extra hours, not in a real hurry, to get back home. Liam had left the oil furnace on to keep the house warm while they were gone and decided to keep it on for the night. He would clean the ashes out in the morning and switch over to the wood furnace. Ginny made them a drink and Liam picked up his note pad to sketch out a project that came to mind on his drive home. He wanted to set up a valve between the cutoff valve from the well and the house so they could cut off the water to the house from the well then drain the water out of the house plumbing in case they had to go in the bunker for extended periods in the winter time. That probably wouldn't save the toilet tanks and bowls, but he could store extra in one of the store rooms.
Cole woke up bright and early the next morning. There was no PT because their platoon was breaking up and being assigned to their AIT companies. Cole arrived at his company and was assigned a bunk. The atmosphere wasn't as tense as it was in Basic. Everyone knew what they were supposed to do and did it. They made their bunks and set up their lockers up for inspection. The first locker inspection would be the next morning before PT. After their work was done the were released for the afternoon so Cole went down to the PX and bought a can of shoe polish to polish his boots. He spent the rest of the afternoon polishing his boots before evening chow.
Cole made it through the inspection without any demerits and they fell out for PT. They did the usual calisthenics and formed up for the run. It was obvious during the run that many of the men didn't exercise during the holidays and quite a few fell to the side of the formation to puke. The instructors took note.
After the run, they did a few cool down exercises and were released to get cleaned up and get breakfast. Cole quickly showered, dressed, and made sure nothing in his locker was out of its prescribed place. He ate the SOS and eggs and drank a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice then went back to the barracks to brush his teeth and clean up after himself. At 0845, they formed up and marched to class.
The days went quickly, with the range firing, road marches, tactics classes and the tests at the end of each phase of instruction. Cole excelled at it all, and the instructors noticed. One day, Cole was pulled aside by the First Sergeant.
"Private Boyle, why are you spending your spare time in the MOS library."
"First Sergeant, I take a look at the training schedule and go to the library to read the field manuals pertaining to the subjects we'll be instructed on. It helps me understand what they're saying better."
"You ever find any of my instructors giving out inaccurate information?"
"Cole started sweating. "First Sergeant I…"
"That's all right Boyle, I catch them sometimes. What are your plans after AIT? What unit did you sign up for?"
"The 82nd, First Sergeant."
"So, your next stop is Airborne School at Benning then on to Fort Bragg?"
"Yes First Sergeant."
"Private Boyle, do you recognize this patch?" The First Sergeant asked, pointing to his right shoulder.
"I believe it is the Special Forces patch."
"That's correct Private Boyle. They have a recruiting program ongoing right now. They will send you from AIT to Airborne School and on to Fort Bragg for Special Forces training at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare School. You'll spend at least a year in training in your specific MOS and be assigned to a Group. One of the benefits is you get advanced promotion to Specialist Fourth Class before you start S.F. training. Little more money in your pocket, Private."
"Yes First Sergeant. I'll take it under consideration."
"Very well Private Boyle. If you have any questions, just come to see me."
"Yes First Sergeant. Thank you First Sergeant."
The First Sergeant walked into the building and Cole went to the barracks. He lay on his bunk and thought about what Top had told him. The money and promotion didn't sway him one way or another, but the knowledge he'd gain enticed him. Those guys had a world of knowledge. The Weapons Specialists could disassemble and assemble dozens of foreign weapons and could train and advise up to a battalion sized irregular force. The Engineer Sergeants knew not only how to build things, but also how to blow them up. The Communications Sergeants were skilled in operating many types of radios, build antennas and send clandestine communications. The Medical Specialists were trained better than 3rd World doctors and could do just about anything not to include brain surgery. The more he thought about it, the more he like the idea of trying it.
Three days later, Cole asked to see the First Sergeant.
"Yes Private Boyle?"
"First Sergeant, how do I get in the Special Forces recruiting program?"
The First Sergeant grinned.
"Well, first, I'll set you up to take the S.F. Battery test and see what you would be qualified for. You do well on the test and you will be s shoo-in. Then I'll get you with the recruiters and get you signed up. You'll then complete your training here and on your way to jump school. Questions?"
"No First Sergeant. Thank you."
"I'll contact you about the battery test."
"Yes First Sergeant."
Cole came to the position of attention, did an about face and marched out of the office with a smile on his face. He'd still be going to Fort Bragg, but not to the 82nd.
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Post by gipsy on Mar 19, 2022 7:22:54 GMT -6
Thanks for the update.
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ydderf2
Member
"I'm from the government and here to help" hahahaha
Posts: 321
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Post by ydderf2 on Mar 19, 2022 10:28:46 GMT -6
Thanks
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Post by udwe on Mar 19, 2022 20:32:59 GMT -6
This is such a great story!
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Post by ncsfsgm on Mar 19, 2022 23:14:49 GMT -6
Chapter 20 - New Adventures
Cole finished AIT and after his short graduation ceremony, where he met up with his parents, he was handed a travel voucher for a plane ticket to Columbus, Georgia to attend the United States Army Airborne School , commonly known as Jump School. He was thankful the Army was flying him there. Now he could at least say he had been in a plane before. A bus was waiting at the airport in Columbus to pick up the soldiers who were attending the school.
Less of the B.S. of Basic and AIT was absent at the school. They were assigned bunks, told what the mess hall hours were and told to be in formation at 0830 in the morning in front of the building for roll call. Afterwards, they would be marched to the training area.. One of the students asked the buck sergeant about P.T. The sergeant just smiled at him and said that would be part of their activities the next day.
The next day was an eye opener. They ran everywhere, crawled through the sawdust, did 10,000 pushups, sit-ups and squat thrusts. They practiced parachute landing falls until their brain cages were rattled. Cole concentrated on the proper techniques and took it all in stride. He was tired that first day but it made sense what they were doing after listening to the instructors explain why they did certain things a certain way. When they went to the towers to be dropped under a parachute, Cole actually enjoyed the ride to the ground. The repetitious PLFs he had burned into his memory kicked in and as soon as his feet touched the ground he correctly hit the five points of contact; the balls of the feet; the side of the calf; the side of the thigh; the side of the hip, or buttocks; and the side of the back. Jumping up quickly, he recovered his parachute and reported to the instructor to receive his critique.
There was a plane full of nervous jumpers on their first jump. You could smell the fear, among the farts, but when given the command to stand up and hook up their static lines, all their training kicked in and like robots, they performed. The rush of men going out the door, the blast of wind hitting you as you exited the aircraft, the jerk of the parachute filling with air….were all a blur. The next thing Cole knew, his hands were on the risers at now less than 1200 feet, descending at 19 feet per second. Checking for other jumpers and checking the smoke on the ground for the wind direction, Cole grabbed his risers and prepared to turn his body with the direction of his fall. He hit., feet, calf, thigh, hip, back, then rolled to his feet, collapsing the parachute and rolling the suspension lines around his arms and stuffing everything into a kit bag. As he trotted with his gear to the parachute turn in point, he saw many men hitting feet, ass and head, stunning themselves. Once he turned in his chute and had his roster number checked off, he heard his name called and turned toward the viewer's bleachers and saw his Momma and Dad waving to him. He asked one of the instructors if he could go over to talk to them.
"Yes, but as soon as everyone is accounted for, fall into formation."
"Yes Sergeant."
"Momma, Dad! I didn't know you were going to be here!"
Liam grinned. "We couldn't miss our son make his first parachute jump out of a perfectly good airplane. How was it?"
"It wasn't bad. It beats walking."
"I think I'll stick to walking." Ginny said.
"Can you go out to dinner with us tonight?" Liam asked.
"Sure, I have to be in by 2300 though."
"That won't be a problem." Liam assured hm. They followed the buses back to the barracks and waited for Cole to come back out after he showered and changed into civilian clothes. "So, are you guys headed back tomorrow?" Cole asked.
"Nope, we're here to watch you make your final jump. We towed the Airstream down and found a campground north of Fryar Field." Liam said.
"Wow! That's a pretty good drive. Are you going to come out every day to watch the jumps?"
"Oh no!" Ginny said. "I'm touring the local antique shops. I'll watch your first and fifth jumps, but I'd be too nervous by Friday to watch all of them. Your father is taking me antiquing."
Cole grinned at Liam. "That's gonna cost you." Ginny and Liam visited several antique shops in the Columbus area and across the Chattahoochee Rver into Alabama. She found some things they could use and stuffed them into the Airstream. On Friday, they were on hand to watch the final jump Cole had to make in the course and watched as he had his jump wings pinned on. They stayed at the campground until Sunday before they left. Cole would be leaving Monday for Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Cole reported in to the Special Warfare Center and was given a map to where he had to go first. The white wooden building was one of the many left over from WWII that were slowly disappearing as they were torn down and replaced by more modern buildings. They were in good condition because every First Sergeant made sure the troops always left a building in better shape than he found it. He was shown where he could bunk and told to report back to the orderly room for detail duty. Cole spent the rest of the afternoon painting rocks white around the orderly room. Cole was lucky he hadn't reported in earlier or he'd probably would have had to paint rocks all the way to the Pee Dee River, but he Weapon's course started in two days. They did organized P.T. every day but Cole found himself running on the quiet streets at night also. It help him settle down from the busy day and gather his thoughts. All in all, the weapons course turned out to be a "gentleman's course," with everyone expected to show maturity and be where they were supposed to be and at the time they were supposed to be. They were given little tips on how to get through the course without failing and given plenty of rope. It was up to the individual whether they hung themselves or not. Many did. Alcohol was the biggest factor. Many of the young men, with already years in the Army, all of a sudden had this much freedom thrust at them, went a little wild. Cole watched his Ps and Qs and made sure he stayed out of trouble. Cole was one of what the "old timers" called an SF Baby, meaning he hadn't spent a few years in the Army before joining Special Forces, but recruited "off the street." Many looked down on him and those like him. He took it as a challenge and given the chance, would show them his expertise in his Military Occupation Specialty.
One afternoon as he was coming back from class on his way to the barracks, First Sergeant Hooker yelled at him from behind the screen door of the orderly room.
"Boyle! Get your ass in here!"
First Sergeant T.J. Hooker was a legend in Special Forces going all the way back to Viet Nam. Some would tell you he was a stone-cold killer, others would tell you he was the greatest guerrilla fighter that ever crapped between two boot heels, and a leader of men. Up to this time, First Sergeant Hooker hadn't had any problems with Cole.
Cole reported to the First Sergeant.
"YES FIRST SERGEANT!" Cole shouted, standing at the position of attention in front of Hooker's desk.
"At ease Boyle, I'm not an officer, I work for a living. Close the door."
Cole returned to the position of "At Ease" in front of Hookers desk.
Hooker looked st Cole and sighed. "Take a seat and relax. I'm not going to chew your ass for anything."
Cole took a seat and tried to relax.
"Boyle, tell me about yourself."
Hesitantly, Boyle told him about growing up in east Tennessee, his decision to join the Army and the steps he took to get to where he was now.
"Boyle, I've been looking at your scores and you're doing exceptionally well. The instructors all have nothing but good things to say about you. What drives you?"
"First Sergeant, I don't have the military experience the other men have. I have to make sure I know my job in order to make up for my lack of experience."
"Well, you're on the right track. You'll get that experience, sure enough, but don't just get your knowledge from books, learn from other people too."
Cole looked at Hooker quizzically.
Hooker opened his desk drawer and pulled out a black ball point pen and a green, issue memo book and tossed them to Cole.
"Open the book Boyle. From this day forward, When an NCO draws your attention by his actions, whether good or bad, you write it down in that book. If it is something a professional should do, write down on the right-side page. If it is something that brings dishonor to himself or the military write it on the left page. Ever so often open up that memo book and study both sides. Emulate the good NCOs and be cautious around the bad ones, and yes there are bad ones. There are a lot of men on Smoke Bomb Hill that are died I the wool warriors and I'd stand with them in battle any day. But some have a huge problem in garrison. They can't function under the military's rules. They aren't complete soldiers. We have to change with the changing situation. Another thing you need to start working on is leadership. Leaders gain followers through valuing, trusting, and respecting every person they come in contact with. They listen attentively; I mean really listen to what is being said. They solicit ideas, ask questions, want opinions, look for participation, and value all feedback. Leaders bring out the feelings of self-worth in other people, inspiring them to greater heights than they would have reached on their own. To be a leader, remember authority comes from the people you lead, not from yourself. Focus on benefiting others, admit mistakes, and ask how you can do better next time.
You are doing really well in the weapons class. Do you have any special study habits? "
First Sergeant, all I do is read and perform the procedures as outlined in the manuals. I have a photographic memory." "Damn! I could have used you on my SADAM Team! Do you have a Small Arms of the World book?"
"Yes, First Sergeant."
Hooker got up from his chair and headed for a door. "Come with me."
Hooker opened the door and inside the next room was a long bookshelf fille with Army field manuals.
"In most cases, there are multiple copies of these manuals. Box up what you want and read them. Don't forget those areas that support us like artillery, transportation and aircraft to ground support. Don't forget the manuals on leadership. There are some boxes over there in the corner you can put together."
Cole ended up with six boxes of manuals. He now had plenty to keep him occupied other than hanging out in the clubs.
"Specialist Boyle! Get in here!"
Cole grinned. The First Sergeant was barking again.
"Yes, First Sergeant?"
"Boyle, I have saved your ass from a pit of drudgery and damnation. The Sergeant Major wanted to snag you up, instead of sending you to a Group, as one of the evaluators at the Assessment and Selection course at Camp MacKall. I on the other hand, secured you a slot at DLIFLC.
Cole frowned. "What is DLIFLC?"
"That's the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California. You're taking an intense course in the German language."
"Thank you First Sergeant, for rescuing me from durance vile." Cole grinned.
"You didn't get those words from a field manual." Hooker grinned. "Have a good time out there. It's the best kept secret in the military."
"Thanks First Sergeant. I'll do my best."
"Stand at the position of attention, Boyle."
Cole jumped out of his chair and snapped to and Hooker came from behind and began unpinning Cole's SP4 rank from his collar and replaced them with SGT E5 rank pins.
"Now you can graduate as a Sergeant. Here's your orders and a couple of sets of rank patches for your dress uniforms. I'm proud to have had you in my company."
"Thank you First Sergeant."
Liam and Ginny were on hand for Cole's graduation. Ginny and Liam couldn't have been prouder as Cole donned his Green Beret with its Badge of Courage. Cole graduated as Honor Graduate and Ginny was about to burst with pride. After the graduation, they went out to the parking lot to Liam's rental car and sitting next to it was parked a brand new forest green, 1989 Chevy Suburban Silverado. Ginny handed Cole the keys.
"Congratulations son."
Cole was stunned. He hugged his mother and father and walked around the truck, inspecting everything.
"There's a survival kit I've been tinkering with in the back for your trip to California." Liam said.
"Momma, Dad, thank you so much!"
"Enough blubbering. Let's go somewhere to eat!" Ginny said.
"Where are you staying?" Cole asked.
"The Holiday Inn, Boudreau."
Cole grinned. "You mean the Holiday Inn, Bordeaux?"
"Whatever, Let's go."
Cole had applied for a leave until his class at Monterey started that would give him plenty of time to drive to Monterey at a casual pace. He stayed with his parents for a week and got his vehicle arranged the way he wanted for the trip. He and his father had gone through the survival kit and after looking through the road atlas planning his trip, they added three gallons of spring water to the Army footlocker in the cargo space of the Suburban. Also packed in the back were three boxes of field manuals he hadn't been able to read yet. The rest were stored in one of the storerooms in the bunker. Saying goodbye wasn't as hard as it was when he went to Basic Training, but it did give him a lump in his throat. As he drove down the hill go get to I-81, he wondered what this new adventure would bring.
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Post by gipsy on Mar 20, 2022 7:35:53 GMT -6
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