What do you remember most about the Q Course/Training Group?

Originally Posted by uplink5

When I was in AIMC classes, I was in what I think was the first BODY NAZI class. I don't remember all the cadre names but we had a medic named SFC Jordan. He was a huge Black fella who scared the hell out of me one morning when I started falling back during a ruck-run. Capt. Charters was running us up a sugar sand hill by the fairgrounds, I thought I was dying. All the sudden, “something" picked me up from behind and carried me to the top, ruck and all. When he set me down, he said, "fall back again and I'll stick this boot up your ass, and it won't be as fun a ride as you just got". I never fell back again. I realized later that Jordan was one of the nicest guys in the world but, I always refused to test him.

In PH1, we had an instructor named SFC Neptune; he was trying to demonstrate the proper techniques to accomplish "the Whopper", but couldn't climb the rope. Then out of nowhere, SFC Gallant jumps out from the wood line, and while calling Neptune everything but a child-of-god, demonstrates the Whopper for us, making it look quite easy. Of course, Neptune never did recover from this and another Cadre soon became our primary instructor. Perhaps the best teaching point was Neptune himself though because I knew, from then on, that I never wanted to be "THAT GUY". Years later when Gallant worked for me as a communications guy in one of the safe houses, he had quite the laugh over this.

In PH2, I had a family emergency and when I went to the CQ, (a SSG on admin. hold from the Q course) I told him that I needed to talk to the NCOIC, SFC Davis. The CQ refused to give me the number unless I told him what was going on. I told him it was none of his business then, one thing led to another, and I hit the SOB. 30 minutes later, while I was sulking on a pick-nick bench by the code room, I hear, "hey Wildman", it was Davis. I told him my issue and he informed me that it wasn't the end of the world but, the issue over me hitting the CQ might be. When we made it back to the CQ, Davis asked him what happened. The bonehead pretty much verified my version of things, and then Perry told him that he could press charges against me but he'd never graduate the course if he did. He never did. Since Davis went out to 1st GRP, I never did see him again but, to this day, I owe CSM (Ret) Davis a bottle of his choosing.

Finally, one of the proudest moments in my life was when I finished SFQC. Of the 310 studs who started, 68 ultimately finished I think, and though we still had a long ways to go once we got to our Groups, I knew I was ready. Of course, subsequent life and death events in 5th and 3rd GRPs, health concerns with cancer and other realities made my experiences from the SFQF seem so long ago. That said, I’d never have made it to where I am today, without having made it through the Q course first. It’s been one hell of a ride....jd

Davis was the Sr. TAC. Jordan, as I remember was an SSG, who had recently finished CDQC, his nick name was "The Lung". He was also known for doing endless flutter kicks. One morning, while in PT formation, he exceeded 200 flutter-kicks in a four count exercise. Davis, who also in PT formation, breaks rank, walks up to Jordan lying on the ground singing, "One, Two, Three,...", (count). Davis slaps him on his head and shouts, "Wake up!!!".

JD - PM in bound.

[mac21]

The gunfight in the middle of a highly travelled road at mid-day in sage. Pouring down rain and freezing, all from the back of a manure spreading truck.

[Buffalobob]

It would probably have been January – March of 1970. During SFOC FTX, it was discovered by my classmates that I actually knew how to travel through the woods at night without getting lost. So it seemed every night I was being asked to run point on the patrols and ambushes. After four or five nights of little to no sleep, we were moving from one TAC location to another at night. It was important to the designated candidate CO that we get there on time and without incident so I was asked to volunteer to run point yet again. As is often the case at Bragg, it was cloudy and pitch dark and all I could see was the needle of my compass. The guy running slack was also keeping the 100s count on my pace as I would call it out. Well about midnight or a little later, I woke up flat on my back. I had gone to sleep while walking and walked right into a big oak tree and gotten knocked out (or down). Fortunately, the compass was tied to my shirt so I didn’t lose it and the pace guy had an idea of about how much time had elapsed since the last 100. So, I got back up and headed out again and we hit the road about 50 yards off course and went downhill to the bridge and crossed it, entered the woods and 200 meters later were at our destination.

So that’s what I remember -going to sleep while walking and waking up flat on my back with scrapes on my forehead.

[ZonieDiver]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

Today, I have gone through this thread from start to finish. To me, this thread exemplifies what SF is all about - one generation passing the torch to another. Some things have changed over the years, but one thing has not: the pursuit of excellence, or perhaps - the pursuit of those who pursue excellence.

As a result of this thread, I contacted my "Brother" Bob! I had tried it before, unsucessfullly. Facebook made it easy. The years faded quickly. Thanks to PS.com, I re-established comms with a part of my life that had been pushed aside. Thanks...

[hodgecc]

Whoever wrote Item #4 about SSG Chris Hodge and the bogus "mirror story" apparently has a faulty memory or somewhat less than a true Professional to have writen this. I am "that" (Chris Hodge Retired CSM). I was the class leader for my class and never had a mirror nor had one around my neck. So whomever wrote this little bit of garbage needs to retract it and apologize to me.
CSM Chris Hodge (retired) Camp McCall Sep-Oct 1971

[hodgecc]

If your are still out there and read this stuff I have a FLASH for you!

I am CSM Chris Hodge Retired and I don't appreciate the made-up story about Phase I and the mirror. You obviously have a bad memory and need to get your facts straight before you slander another SF professional if you truly are a professional. You need to remove ite#4 from your so-called memories and you owe me an apoligy now.

CSM Chris Hodge (Ret)

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by hodgecc

Whoever wrote Item #4 about SSG Chris Hodge and the bogus "mirror story" apparently has a faulty memory or somewhat less than a true Professional to have writen this. I am "that" (Chris Hodge Retired CSM). I was the class leader for my class and never had a mirror nor had one around my neck. So whomever wrote this little bit of garbage needs to retract it and apologize to me.
CSM Chris Hodge (retired) Camp McCall Sep-Oct 1971

HEY!!

This Thead has OVER 100 posts on it!! Exactly what Post # are you referring to?!?!

Some of us other FOGS really don't feel like going on Easter Egg hunts a couple of months early!!

Later
Martin

[Richard]

Martin,

He's referring to Post #90 - the rucksack shakedown mentioned in item #4.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...9&postcount=90

Richard

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by hodgecc

If your are still out there and read this stuff I have a FLASH for you!

I am CSM Chris Hodge Retired and I don't appreciate the made-up story about Phase I and the mirror. You obviously have a bad memory and need to get your facts straight before you slander another SF professional if you truly are a professional. You need to remove ite#4 from your so-called memories and you owe me an apoligy now.

CSM Chris Hodge (Ret)

CSM Hodge:

Welcome to PS.com.

No need to post the same challenge twice in 12 minutes. After all the story has been up this long, it isn't going anywhere, nor is ZD.

In the interim, you might want to review the stickies and board rules and introduce yourself while you are waiting.

Incidentally, everyone here with Quiet Professional after their name has been vetted as SF. If you want to be vetted as well, just follow the instructions.

Enjoy your visit.

TR

[Pete]

Glad to see somebody who spent a long time in SF never did anything stupid that others could poke fun at him about.

Hmmm, no intro, no bio and a slap at another the first and second post out of the gate.

CSM don't you think you could have handled things here with a little more tact?

[Doc Diego]

Phase 1 Jan 84 0200 hrs breaking the rubber knives in the saw dust pit doing hand to hand. Our half of the class crossing Drowning Creek with poncho rafts after the instructors broke through the ice.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Pete

Glad to see somebody who spent a long time in SF never did anything stupid that others could poke fun at him about.

Hmmm, no intro, no bio and a slap at another the first and second post out of the gate.

CSM don't you think you could have handled things here with a little more tact?

And no sense of humor......

Having now read that it's hard to believe it was "made up"...

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

And no sense of humor......

Having now read that it's hard to believe it was "made up"...

TS

Sounds funny - it might have hit a nerve?

ZD has a pretty good memory...... Who cares and who does not have a funny story about them hiding in their past.

Hell it was in the 70's, time to laugh and drink a cold one eithor way.....

Pete

Is there not a sticky that sayes CSM's go to the front of the line and do not have to follow board procedures.....

[bigsunbum]

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

Strange the things you remember. I can still feel today, almost 20 years later, the feeling of road crossings gone bad - over and over.

Coming up on the linear danger area, stepping off those high banks, going ass over tea kettle. And my favorite, the frame on the green tick crashing into the back of the head like being hit with a lead pipe, driving my face into that soft sand. Of course getting a mouthful. But being quiet about it the whole time. It happened a lot. LOL.

I can also remember always being in a hurry for everything. Never having enough time. But I can also remember laughing a lot. At myself, at my buds, at the instructors, at the cold and wet. Felt good to be at home.

I remember leaving the 91B area and walking up to 300F-1. Walking into the SOCAS barracks and smelling the stink of sweaty gear and the sweet smell of gun oil. Seeing rucks and web gear hanging from every bunk. Not laid out, hanging to dry. Well worn kit. Not like the antispetic 91B barracks. Home.

Rocky Farr walking through at 0700 on Saturday mornings gathering up people to assist with an autopsy - looking for the most hung over to make them puke if he could. Pieces/Parts class.

Oral boards, trying to stay awake in class. Former Marine knocking me out of my chair in RS class for dozing after I asked him to "do whatever it takes to keep me awake." Then me doing him the same favor the next day.

Inge Jansen and his British accent, "Sergeant, are you still killing your patients?"
"Roger that Sergeant!"
"Carry on then."

Major Howard walking up to the formation and "asking" the TAC if he could join us for a "little walk". And thinking, "I'm actually rucking with a legend."

Reporting to Colonel Rowe and thinking, "I'm actually saluting a legend."

Mr. Hollingsworth and Jansen letting me think I failed trauma clinic all afternoon long, and then laughing at me and buying the beer.

Meeting The Reaper for the first time and being amazed that all he could worry about was his car. LOL

And finally, Froglegz picking me up at Battalion and his "briefing."

slide for life in Dec will always be in my memory and its been over 40 years ago!! Damn I'm OLD!

[ZonieDiver]

Originally Posted by Pete

Glad to see somebody who spent a long time in SF never did anything stupid that others could poke fun at him about.

Hmmm, no intro, no bio and a slap at another the first and second post out of the gate.

CSM don't you think you could have handled things here with a little more tact?

PS.com Brothers,

Nothing ruins a good story like facts! I am sure if the story (which I assure you did happen) had happened to CSM Hodge, he would remember. At the time, I didn't know then SSG Hodge, but he was the one that someone ID'ed as the unlucky individual.

I have PM'ed CSM Hodge and apologized for the misinformation, as well as deleting his name from that part of the post. I would not want that story to color his membership in our website, as I am sure he will have a lot to add.

Thanks...