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52 Years Ago

TestMule

TestMule

Elite
November 24, 2024 marked the 52nd year anniversary of my US Air Force enlistment. On that day, back in 1972, I left the small town of LaGrande, Oregon by bus and traveled to Boise, Idaho. Upon arrival I was taken to the induction center, had a physical and took an oath. Later that day I boarded a Continental Airlines flight to San Antonio, Texas.

We got to Lackland AFB in the late hours of that Friday evening. We were lined up in a slightly ragtag, rainbow looking flight and marched off to the chow hall. There was a lot of yelling, swearing, pushing and shoving going on but we finally made it to chow. We then shuffled back to the barracks, did our best to square away the bunks and finally hit the pillow at around 1:30 AM.

Less than 4 hours later the lights came on and the yelling and swearing started all over. Those recruits that didn’t rise from their bunks fast enough were dumped to the floor. Since it was Saturday right after Thanksgiving there was no PX run, no clothing issue, no medical injections, no haircut and all we did was march to chow and back to the barracks through that entire weekend.
The real excitement started on Monday…

3704 Squadron
Flight 1543

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Lackland Barracks 10.jpg


MLK Lackland AFB 1972.jpg
 
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TestMule said:
November 24, 2024 marked the 52nd year anniversary of my US Air Force enlistment. On that day, back in 1972, I left the small town of LaGrande, Oregon by bus and traveled to Boise, Idaho. Upon arrival I was taken to the induction center, had a physical and took an oath. Later that day I boarded a Continental Airlines flight to San Antonio, Texas.

We got to Lackland AFB in the late hours of that Friday evening. We were lined up in a slightly ragtag, rainbow looking flight and marched off to the chow hall. There was a lot of yelling, swearing, pushing and shoving going on but we finally made it to chow. We then shuffled back to the barracks, did our best to square away the bunks and finally hit the pillow at around 1:30 AM.

Less than 4 hours later the lights came on and the yelling and swearing started all over. Those recruits that didn’t rise from their bunks fast enough were dumped to the floor. Since it was Saturday right after Thanksgiving there was no PX run, no clothing issue, no medical injections, no haircut and all we did was march to chow and back to the barracks through that entire weekend.
The real excitement started on Monday…

3704 Squadron
Flight 1543

View attachment 70555

View attachment 70551

View attachment 70553
Click to expand...
Thank you for your service!
 
TestMule said:
November 24, 2024 marked the 52nd year anniversary of my US Air Force enlistment. On that day, back in 1972, I left the small town of LaGrande, Oregon by bus and traveled to Boise, Idaho. Upon arrival I was taken to the induction center, had a physical and took an oath. Later that day I boarded a Continental Airlines flight to San Antonio, Texas.

We got to Lackland AFB in the late hours of that Friday evening. We were lined up in a slightly ragtag, rainbow looking flight and marched off to the chow hall. There was a lot of yelling, swearing, pushing and shoving going on but we finally made it to chow. We then shuffled back to the barracks, did our best to square away the bunks and finally hit the pillow at around 1:30 AM.

Less than 4 hours later the lights came on and the yelling and swearing started all over. Those recruits that didn’t rise from their bunks fast enough were dumped to the floor. Since it was Saturday right after Thanksgiving there was no PX run, no clothing issue, no medical injections, no haircut and all we did was march to chow and back to the barracks through that entire weekend.
The real excitement started on Monday…

3704 Squadron
Flight 1543

View attachment 70555

View attachment 70551

View attachment 70553
Click to expand...
Congrats! Sounds like the same thing that happened when I went in the Air Force. You were lucky. We were in the WW2 barracks and that was in 1975 3710 BMTS FLT 350. It's amazing how time flies! I went in November also, 3 days before Thanksgiving.
 
It has been 55 years for me. Those dorms were brand new and we had to keep them that way! 25 years later I was back to see my oldest son graduate basic, then 20 years after that Mrs Greener and I went to Lackland for his CMSgt promotion ceremony.

I was a CMSgt and every year all the chiefs in my command traveled to Lackland for a week for a leadership conference for all our new MSgts. Every year we got the obligatory tour of the basic training area and to meet some of the recruits. A trip down memory lane for sure.

One of my greatest privileges was to have lunch at a table with recruits in their second or third week. They were terrified of all the chiefs but at least the T.I.'s didn't screw with them at our tables. I enjoyed bringing them desert. I got to chat with recruits and get some of their stories, what wonderful young men and women. I passed a notebook around for each of them to write their name and the name and phone number of a person they would like me to call back home. They all listed their Mom. I called all those Moms later to let them know their son or daughter was doing OK and they could be proud. I think every one of those Moms started crying (with relief) One of the highlights of my career.
 
Thank you Testmule and all the other vets here for your service.

I still kinda remember the day in 1974 I tried to get past the physical standing in a long line with who knows how many other young men . But alas, after reaching me the doctor started screaming at me like he was a drill sgt. He made me stand in the corner under a 4F sign. Apparently one can't sneak by when one was born totally deaf in the right ear. So goes my attempt to join ... 🙄

Thanks to you all!
 
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