[kgoerz]

I went thru Phase one and two (Q-Course) as a private in 1983 then was booted out to do the duffel bag drag down to the 82nd. Spent 2.5 years there then returned to the Q-Course and passed the second time. The 82nd was not as strict as I was expecting it to be then. In fact it was pretty wild and had a rebellious attitude at times. Still very disciplined at times but not spit shine all around is the best way I can think to put it. I did get into trouble for not walking the line all the time, but it was always the kind of ass chewing the Senior NCO'S seemed to enjoy giving. Like I reminded then of themselves. When I was going back to the Q-Course they didn't want to lose me but they said it probably would be better for me to return. I saw guys there (82nd) go from Private to BN SGM in the same Battalion. They spent their whole Army career in the same Battalion. I knew I couldn't do that. My uniform was never the best and my Boots were always marginal. I think what saved me was I was good in the field and during that time is when they had the no pressing uniform policy for awhile. Remember out of the dryer on to your body, nothing more. I did learn a lot in the 82nd about leadership. Something I saw lacking in some of the senior NCO'S in group who were SF babies. Notice I said some...... I think it was for the better I got the Boot the first time around in the Q-Course. I saw a few of my friends who passed as privates ending up getting kicked out of group with in the first couple of years. I don't think I had the maturity in me at the time. Maybe, maybe not. In those days SF Group would kick you out for a lessor incident then the 82nd would. Funny the Q-Course was changing all the time back then. When I returned in 1986 it was back to the way it was when I was there as a private the first time. Back to simple Phase I, II and III. I pretty much breezed right thru it. Phase one was the easiest part of the whole Course for me having been thru it and coming from the 82nd as an 11B. But if I wouldn't of passed the second time I would of got out of the Army. I just extended the bear minimum to return to the Q-Course. I didn't want to reenlist (Turned the bonus down. The one they would give you if you graduated the Q-Course) and be stuck in the regular Army for five years if I failed again. I went back to be in SF. I didn't care about their money offer