Mobile Subscriber Network Switching Systems Operator- This was the title of the job that I was going to learn in the next 4 months or so of training at Ft. Gordon. In true Army fasion, this title was given a much shorter job code, 31F (Foxtrot). This was how you described your job to others in the Army. I was a 31F, my father was 11B, 11C or 11D (infantry, mortars, tow missles) depending on what decade it was.
Esentially, I was going to be a telephone switch on wheels. I was the person that got your calls through. I was the operator (dial 0), the operator (make it work) and the repair man. When I got to Ft. Gordon, I was feeling pretty good about myself. I had made it through basic training without standing out. That was another piece of advice I took from the recruiter, keep a low profile, don't stand out. So that's what I did. By graduation, the Drill Sargent's had just learned how to pronounce my last name.
When the bus pulled into the barracks at Ft. Gordon, we got off and we were given our welcome and the basic rules. Rule #1- Don't wear boots inside the building, ever. Never ever. I don't remember the other rules, but I am sure they were important as well. As you can probably tell, I may have ignored rule #1 on a quick trip to my wall locker to retrieve something. What harm could it be to wear my boots on the floor? I ran past the Drill Sargent's office and she hollered out "Are you wearing boots on my floor soldier?"
Busted.
Now what? I sheepishly walked back to her office and answered, "Yes Drill Sargent!", time to face the music. She decided my punishment would be to put me in charge of the platoon. Crap. So much for being invisible. Now I was responsible for everyone. Double crap.
Turns out that the punishment was bigger than the crime, but I wouldn't change a thing. I learned how to be responsible, I learned about leadership, I learned a lot about myself. My role as platoon guide didn't end, I was left in charge for the whole time I was at Ft. Gordon. Most platoon guides were replaced at some point, not me, I was good at it.
After my time was up and I had graduated from AIT, I was off to Ft. Hood, TX. In fact, most of my friends from AIT went to Ft. Hood. When I got to the Hood, I was assigned to Delta Company, 57th Signal Battalion, 3rd Signal Brigade. Another lucky break for me. 57th Sig. was still full of veterans of Desert Storm. I had great leadership while there. I learned from combat veterans. I watched, studied and emulated the leaders that I admired. Not that the unit was full of great leaders, but I worked for the best. Time went on, I became very well versed at my job (31F), spent a lot of time in the field, and had a lot of fun.
Somewhere in my 3rd year of a 4 year enlistment, I was given my own team. I was the Team Chief. This was a great honor as I was not a Sargent, I was a Specialist. I was put in charge of B67 SEN team. I had 4 guys that worked for me, 3 Humvees, 2 generators and communications equipment. At 21 I was responsible for about 1.5 million dollars worth of equipment, I was writing performance reviews for 4 team members and worked as the liaison for our customers in the field.
Not bad for just being of legal age to have a beer.
Times up on my enlistment and I just did not see myself as a career soldier. I loved my time, but needed more from life than Ft. Hood, TX. I decided it was time to get out.
More to follow tomorrow....
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