Post by Ozarks Tom on Feb 25, 2021 2:08:56 GMT
Some of these stories I've told before, and to those long time member I apologize, but I thought some of our newer members might not have heard them.
I joined the army at the age of 17 after hearing tales from a friend's brother just back from Germany about the beer halls and chasing frauleines. I admit, the pact to join was made in the basement of another friend's house after consuming copious amounts of his father's homemade raspberry wine, but a pact is a pact.
At the recruiting station, although I was a high school dropout, I was able to pass the intelligence test. I believe it consisted of knowing your name and address. The physical test apparently consisted of the ability to walk through their door. I mentioned that I was on probation, and had been since the age of 12, but the recruiter quietly said "I didn't hear that."
Three days later I was in Minneapolis at the induction station, where the real physicals were given. Two of those tests I remember well. One was a chart full of differently colored dots. The tester asked "What number do you see?" "Huh? All I see is dots." As he flipped through a few more pages I still didn't see any numbers. He said I was red/green colorblind. Two things struck me. One, I'd joined with the guarantee of becoming an electronics technician, and if you're colorblind that's completely out. And two, I'd been arguing with people about colors for 17 years and been wrong, humbling.
The other test I remember well is the hearing test. They'd take 8-10 guys in a room that's walls and floor were covered with carpet, and the ceiling had some kind of sound attenuation covering. One at a time we were told to sit in a chair facing the far wall while the tester would call out number. First in a very low voice, then increasing volume until the testee raised their hand signifying they heard him. A draftee sat in the chair and the tester said in a low voice "three", nothing. Then in a slightly louder voice "seven", nothing. In a voice that could be heard in the hallway he said "nine", nothing. Then, in a very low voice he said "you failed, you can leave." The guy got right up and headed for the door, at which time the tester said "you passed" and handed him his papers with the hearing box checked "good".
After a drunken train ride from Minneapolis to Ft Leonard Wood MO, I was sitting on the floor of yet another induction station. There were newbies from all over the mid-west there, and I heard two black guys from Chicago get into an argument saying "I ain't no muffler, you's the muffler." I asked the guy sitting next to me "Is calling someone a muffler an insult?" Then he explained to this southern Minnesota boy they weren't saying "muffler". Oh.
To be continued.
