Day XLI

 Mail call

     Sometimes, we would get a break, and the sergeant would yell:

     “At ease!” After a long pause, he would smile, and add:

     “Lite em up!”

    For five minutes we were allowed to smoke, and talk to guys on either side us. The first time, though, the sergeant gave us a lesson on field stripping a butt, which we had to do after every smoke. If you didn’t, and got caught the whole flight got punished. So if you did, and got caught, believe me dudes would get you, and the next time you would remember to strip your butt.

     When you finished your butt, you put it on the ground, and stepped on it. You made sure it was out. You picked it up, if it was a filter, you tore it off, and put it in your pocket. You threw it into the first litter basket you found. Then with your index finger, you flicked the charcoal, and ash off the end. Afterwards, you tore the butt down the middle, and shook the remaining tobacco into the air. Believe me, I never saw used butts on the grounds, and it became a habit that stayed with me for a very long time after boot camp.

     Boot camp was rough for me, not because of the regimen but because I never got any any mail. The Air Force screwed up my mail, and for almost four weeks I didn’t get any mail. Boot camp is only eight weeks, and for half of that time I didn’t get my mail. In the mornings when the squad leader yelled:

     “Mail call!” I hated it.