Posted on Aug 24, 2014
Did you have 'close calls' in basic training/boot camp?
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What mistakes do you regret making that almost sent you packing back home?
Everybody has a story of basic training/boot camp blunders. What's yours? And can you look back on these events and laugh?
Everybody has a story of basic training/boot camp blunders. What's yours? And can you look back on these events and laugh?
Posted in these groups: 
Boot Camp
Basic Training
Boot Camp Basic Training
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 29
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SPC Margaret Higgins By trouble what do you mean? My father was hospitalized and a the Red Cross sent a request for me to see him at the V.A. Hospital where he was in the Intensive Care Unit. I did so and returned to training. Later the training unit Commander came and pulled me off the firing range to tell me, my father had passed away. I left to attend his funeral and returned to training. I made up training I missed by completing the requirements while others were on weekend passes.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
CPT (Join to see), That is an extremely tragic story; about your father's passing. But you, with your Strength, returned to duty and completed the requirements- necessary to graduate. How impressed by you I am.
I had totally different troubles; and mine were far less important than yours.
I laugh about it as we speak; however I was totally embarrassed and humiliated about it at the time. I, in Basic Training, showed up to my first formation with my shoe laces and polished brass- clutched in my hands. I thought that the Army was like my university psychology class; where I could show up late- and still get A's. LOL Little did I know...
I was teased and hazed by high school students from then on.
I accidentally burned myself; polished-with water-all of the black off of my shoes, and in general just kept to myself. (My bunk mate did not pass Basic Training, because she was physically too thin/weak; or something to that effect.)
When we got to AIT, The Master Sergeant (not sure now, what exact rank he was; as a Sergeant.) said to me: "You're Squad Leader." The girls-or somebody-protested; and said: "She can't be Squad Leader." In my mind, I thought: "Oh yeah?!" ;)
I had totally different troubles; and mine were far less important than yours.
I laugh about it as we speak; however I was totally embarrassed and humiliated about it at the time. I, in Basic Training, showed up to my first formation with my shoe laces and polished brass- clutched in my hands. I thought that the Army was like my university psychology class; where I could show up late- and still get A's. LOL Little did I know...
I was teased and hazed by high school students from then on.
I accidentally burned myself; polished-with water-all of the black off of my shoes, and in general just kept to myself. (My bunk mate did not pass Basic Training, because she was physically too thin/weak; or something to that effect.)
When we got to AIT, The Master Sergeant (not sure now, what exact rank he was; as a Sergeant.) said to me: "You're Squad Leader." The girls-or somebody-protested; and said: "She can't be Squad Leader." In my mind, I thought: "Oh yeah?!" ;)
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC Margaret Higgins - It's ok and I don't view it as tragic. He raised me to be strong.
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SMSgt Keith Klug
Your DIs and Unit Commander should have been models for the rest. They understood circumstances beyond your control and how important those times with your dad were. Thank you for your service.
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I was out on the range and my DS was looking over my shoulder watching me shoot. I ended up getting a double bullet( I think that's what you call it) and I was trying to put my weapon on safe first and then take the magazine out. But the next thing I know the DS was standing over me screaming at me. It was the first real encounter that I had ever had with a DS singling me out without any of my battle buddies. So it freaked me out. I tried to take it the magazine out and it wouldn't come out not would my weapon go on safe. So the DS yanks it from me and my muzzle was pointed right at her face. I ended up getting kicked off the range and she made me write a letter to her mom explaining why I killed her daughter.
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I wouldn't say I was outstanding, but I didn't have any trouble or issues... I oddly enjoyed the "culture shock" of it all and looked forward to getting to my first duty station, and into another level of culture shock! LOL!
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