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CLEAR DOWN RANGE NEW MEANING

The first time I heard the call of “CLEAR DOWN RANGE” I was laying in the dirt with the guys, Fort Ord dirt, and trying to fit three bullets inside the diameter of a quarter. The best I got was two in with a stray nearby. The rifle range targets were a head and shoulder […]

ARMY MEDIC: JOB TWO OF FIVE

Army medic was the job I signed up for when I joined after freshman year in 1974. Army medic was my dad’s idea. The old Marine also advised against joining the Navy, but that’s expected. I went in on the Buddy Plan with a high school buddy. We lasted three days together in receiving, then […]

THE COMMAND VOICE

You know it forever if you’ve heard the Command Voice. The voice of leadership is the Command Voice. You follow instructions better when it comes from that place. If you joined the Gerald Ford Army of 1974 and did basic at Fort Ord, you heard the command voice, you heard General Patton outline what to […]

LIFE LONG LEARNING STARTS EARLY

Baby Boomers do life long learning out of habit. What’s your excuse? Yes, I’m certified for leadership. At least that’s what the Fort Ord Leadership Academy says. What does a 21 Hour Leader Preparation Program do? In the wrong hands it turns a decent person into a tyrant. In the right hands it makes for […]

IN PRAISE OF GOOD DRAINAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

One of the highlights of Army basic training is a week long camp out. Everyone needs to enjoy the outdoors this way. You learn new skills and meet new friends. New friends come with the other half of the tent you’ll spend the week in…together. It’s called a shelter half. If you can’t get along […]