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Okay. I went into Ft McCoy in 1972 for USWAC basic to go into military intelligence. It was a microcosm for the ills of the US. The corruption of Nam, the total lack of respect for enlisted, women, minorities and anyone who was not a holy roller hypocrite. It culminated in a race riot after which soldiers who participated took off for the woods armed. They fired at things moving at night so nothing moved, not even ambulances and during the day there were hunting parties out shooting "stray dogs" even on the day that 11 of us left on the same plane to the Chicago hub.
Because of that we were offered a "get out of the Army free" deal with honorable discharge. Those that stayed were scattered as far apart as possible when training was done. Most lost their assignments. Darn I can't recall the terminology any longer.
Anyway I was supposed to go to language school in Monterey and then onto intelligence school in Texas. I was told I would probably work in the embassy in Czechoslovakia. but I took the offer as I had a hard time figuring out what I might be fighting for if I stayed. Watched and heard too many people die there. My hair fell out during the next 30 days. (Oh yeah, after telling Mom she, blew the whistle in a prostitution ring being run out of the mental health facility. You got sent there if you were having trouble adjusting or other problems and they sent you out on a new career.)
The USWAC was integrated into the regular Army. Czechoslovakia had some sort of a coup shortly after that.
I got Lyme Disease in the summer of 1974, got married that year. Had two sons born with the disease (who have recovered)and have been working on Lyme Disease advocacy when my health allows (Didn't get diagnosed until late 1990 and was not treated until the beginning of 1991 for the Lyme which by then I was totally bed ridden and unable to speak in excruciating pain.)
From what I heard from those who stayed in they didn't fare much better than I did. Are things still the same today?
Bet this isn't what you were expecting anyone to ask.
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