Chapter 3

The Journey

What have I done? Why am I here? I am "miserable." I was saying to myself. I had just taken a physical this morning; too bad, that everything checked OK. This was the longest bus ride that I have ever taken in my life. I just turned seventeen the previous month; I quit school and coaxed my father into co-signing me, to enter the Army. I would find out later that I did not have to coax him, that he knew it was best for me.

I had made this decision and I could do nothing about it for the next three years. My father had spent his adult life in the service and we traveled all over the world to different bases. You would think that I would know what to expect. However, I was naive even more than I could imagine. I thought it would be as simple as "Playing Army". Yes, I was in the Army, on a long journey from Memphis to Fort Campbell Kentucky, to start my basic training.

I was in a light sleep, thinking about what I had left behind. Good times, bad times, freedom, and the lack of freedom, because of the restriction dad had placed on me. I missed my school and friends too. Mostly of Christi, the girl I had loved for two years.

With her, it had been a wonderful two years. I feel now as though I may have taken the time with her for granted. I was having second thoughts about being away from her. Especially since it would be three years before I would be free to return and live. I was beginning to realize the freedom that I had, was gone. Being away from someone I loved at my age could prove to be devastating to my heart and maybe my life. If the truth were known, "it would." I did not know what would happen to us in the future. I was thinking that everything would work out all right.

I was thinking about the time that we had talk of marriage. At that time, there was nothing funny about it, but I laugh about it now. While dozing, I thought about how much I loved her. How could I have joined the Army and left her? It was starting to eat at me but all I had on that trip were my memories of her.

Beginning my Training!

Well, I am here. I have arrived at Fort Campbell Kentucky. We no more got off the bus and the yelling started. The drill sergeants wasted no time trying to get us to conform to army standards. I knew, in my heart I was not going to like this. I was in the Army less than twenty-four hours, I could see the Army and I was not going to get along. It is funny that one of the reasons I wanted to leave home was for my independence, my freedom. Well, I am here now and I am going to have to make the best of it.

The first couple of days we spent getting shots, and getting oriented as to what is expected. For those drafted, it would only be two years. The next three weeks we spent mornings in class and the afternoons in drill and physical training. It was tougher than what I had expected but I was handling it well.

Because, I had taken "ROTC" in school I became a squad leader. I was even beginning to like it a little. I thought I was in good shape. Running, lifting weights and doing a few exercises in school was nothing compared to this. I enjoyed the physical endurance part of it. I was really getting into shape. I did not care much for ass-holes that were our drill instructors. I guess they were doing their job. We had a few idiots in our company too.

I had written Christi a letter and talked to her on the phone a couple of times, and told her I would be coming home December twentieth through January second and could not wait to see her. That was just a week away. I had not received a letter from her yet. She explained to me, one night when I had called her that she had been busy and just did not have time yet but she would write.

As the days approached, they got longer. I had no idea when I joined they would close down for Christmas and would let us take a couple of weeks leave but I knew it was for the Drill Instructors and the other staff on post. Which was a great idea to me, "being in the Army one month and I get to go home!"

That day came and I was on the bus headed to Memphis. I left at ten o'clock in the morning and was to arrive at about five that evening. The Greyhound bus made a few stops in different towns along the way. I finally reached the bus station in Memphis and my mom and dad were waiting to pick me up. I was in my uniform and I could tell mom and especially dad were happy and somewhat proud of me since he had spent most of his life in the service. I felt good about it too since I had given dad so much grief and disappointment over the years. I talked about what it was like, and the things we were going through and that I was getting to like it, but I did miss home. I think dad was a little happy knowing he had agreed to let me join, and even co-signed me to get in at seventeen. I think he knew and felt it was the best for me since I was not going anywhere in school.

When we arrived home, I greeted all my brothers and sisters and was glad to see them. We sat around a while and I told them all my war stories but I was anxious to see Christi.

Oh No! Not to me!

I called Christi and her mom answered.

"She is not home." She said and not knowing where she was at. I hung up and called Wesley. I told him I was home, and would be over shortly. When I arrived at his house, he asked me in and said.

"I have something to tell you." I automatically had a bad feeling as he hesitated. "Christi wants to break up with you!" He said with a little fear in his eyes. My heart sank. I could not believe what he was telling me.

"Are you serious?" I asked with a sick feeling in my stomach.

"She asked me to tell you."

"I need to talk to her! Did she say why she wanted to break up?" I asked.

"She didn't want you to get your haircut." He explained.

"A Fucking Haircut! What kind of reason is that?"

"That's all she told me." He said.

"Bull shit! What is the real reason? Is they're someone else?" I asked.

"I don't know that's all she told me." He explained.

"Where is she? Do you know where she is?"

"When I talked to her today she was going to be with Debbie tonight because she didn't want to face you. That is what she told me."