No real Army

When I was at journalism school (Defense Information School for those who get tickled at military-ese) we had some quirky drill sergeants. The journalist stuff wasn’t so bad, but the Army filled our lives with BS. The more level-headed drill sergeant we had saw me down in the dumps one day and had a talk with me. “Cheer up soldier, the real Army isn’t like this.”

Heading to Fort Knox for my first duty assignment, I ran in to some of the same stuff. My coworkers were great, but our unit made life difficult. My section sergeant, a master sergeant, took me aside and told me, “Don’t worry Salmons, a FORSCOM unit (i.e. one that deploys) isn’t like this. The real Army is different.”

Then I headed to Fort Hood to a deploying unit, and there’s more of the same. People talk about it constantly, at meals, at the trailers, at the showers; but one thing is said, though: “I’m glad the real Army isn’t like this.”

We’ve been escorting the command group for our replacement unit around for the last few days and the rumors already are starting. “I hear they’re assed up.” “You should see how they run such-n-such.” On and on.

I want to ask if they aren’t like the “real Army” either and chuckle to myself.

What is this “real Army” anyway, cause it’d be nice to run in to a few actual soldiers and get their take on everything. Anybody from the “real Army” out there?

There’s a big development going on in the life, friends, but I’m holding off until I can notify all the proper channels by phone, at least. More to follow.

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