Branch FTX
 

New thread for the FOG's,VFOG's and them really OLD FARTS!!!
1. 6second DZ head of Lake James
2. Shot OFF Mountain,nothing short about this mountain
3. The cafe in Linville
4. 1936 maps in 1965

I know I've missed a few hundred other things,but you have to start somewhere.

BMT
FOG

Basic training with M-1 Garand, and BAR, water cooled .30 caliber MG's, eating K-rations, because someone found a supply in a warehouse somewhere.

Noisy metal canteens, grease traps.

Company runner who had to string commo wire to each location.

CH-21's, OH-13's CH-34's.

Nasty ass brown boots!!

Nasty ass green wool socks.

That brings back memories. I remember qualifing with the M-1 and loved it. It also stood me in good stead when I was a midshipmen at the US Merchant Marine Academy. We used these weapons for drill and ceremonies. 'Cause I was in the jock barracks none of the upper classmen screwed with us, but the top weenies in the chain of command used to take whatever cheap shots they could when they could. Payback was me disassembling all the M-1s of the Cadet Commander and his frigging pencil neck staff one hour before the Saturday parade.

Anyone remember the "Davy Crockett"?

Jack Moroney-evil little Garand field stripper and M-1 thumb giver

Davey Crockett http://www.brook.edu/FP/projects/nucwcost/davyc.HTM

Back in 1996, the squadron supply officer came across a huge box of green wool socks. There were enough to pass out 2 pair to everyone. The other squadrons made fun of our guys and gals...until the Japanese winter arrived. It gets cold up on the flight deck.

We've still got those socks around here, somewhere.

Me too. But then I still have the sports jacket I wore in high school and a buckskin shirt that would make PETA folks foam at the mouth. :o

Jack Moroney-function before style

Green Socks?
 

Easy now, I liked the green socks much better than the black ones. I did like the change from the green to the brown t-shirt.

Class-As? The green ones have been a piece of shit ever since they first came out. Now the guys who wore the old Ike Jackets.........

Pete

I'm dense. Did all of the above happen on the Branch FTX? :D

One thing I remember is a water moccasin. He was waiting for me at a point I was going to wade across the Uwahrie River. Prudently I moved about a hundred M down stream to cross. I'll be damned if that sucker didn't follow me!!

Weather patterns have changed since then but I learned that no matter how clear the sky may be you must put up a shelter every night since it was sure to storm every night. :munchin

I just couldn't pass up making a few comments here:

I enlisted in the US Army 04 Jan 1947:

We were issued WW II uniforms to include combat boots (with the two straps and rough on the outside) Green socks, underware and towels. We were also issued safety razors, sewing kits. Most of the uniforms had the little piece of cloth around the throat to help keep chemical warfare agents out. (OD Shirt, fatigues, etc. In those days you also got an ankle length boot and low quarters (All brown of course.)

Of course we trained with the M-1 rifle, BARs, Water Cooled .30 machine guns and other WW II weapons. We also were given WW II Rations in the field K- Rats and other rations of the era. I'l always remember the one little can that contained cheese and bacon mixed. It tasted good, but after eating it, one never had to *hit for a week.

I enlisted for (3) years to serve with the 1st Cavalry Division which was on Occupation duty in Japan. I did this because I wanted to be a "Tanker." On my arrival in Camp Drake (Outside of Tokyo) I was assigned to A Troop, 5th Cav Regiment, 1st Cav. Div.

I never did become a tanker there, instead I was given a BAR and found out that the 1st Cav was basically an Infantry Division! The only horses around were the ones the Division Commander and his aide rode around the post on and the Emperor's former stable of horses which were turned over to Special service for a riding stable.

We didn't see much change in our uniforms until 1951 or so, caused by the climate in Korea. Weapons the same, except for the new Bazooka (3.5) , because of the T-34 tanks. We did get fresh C rats in Korea though, no more WW II rations. I'll always remember the one called hamburger patties, which was packed with what looked like lard. If you heated them. they came out like meat packed in motor oil. If you ate them cold and usually frozen in the below 0 temps on the line, they were indeed packed in frozen lard. Yuck!

Awww the good old days! (Not) :lifter