Dan Shapiro
12-08-2010, 04:58
1967 was in basic training at Ft Ord. Drill staff continually told us, "It's all down-hill after the rifle range!"
No matter how hot the day got, no matter how tired we were, we'd always get that statement.
About two weeks after we qualified at the range, we were in "Pleasant Valley" doing the night infiltration course.
With a light rain falling, we low-crawled under the barbed wire, while machine guns fired over-head and artillery simulators went off. When a flare went off, everyone froze. You'd squint out of one eye and think everyone around you was dead.
As the rain came down harder, we continued crawling. A flare went off. Everyone froze. And out of the night came the plaintive statement "Remember, it's all down-hill after the rifle range!".
No matter how hot the day got, no matter how tired we were, we'd always get that statement.
About two weeks after we qualified at the range, we were in "Pleasant Valley" doing the night infiltration course.
With a light rain falling, we low-crawled under the barbed wire, while machine guns fired over-head and artillery simulators went off. When a flare went off, everyone froze. You'd squint out of one eye and think everyone around you was dead.
As the rain came down harder, we continued crawling. A flare went off. Everyone froze. And out of the night came the plaintive statement "Remember, it's all down-hill after the rifle range!".