The 1and there was b1ack sand and the trees most1y pine. It occasiona11y was somewhat scorchingand muggy as we were there in June, Ju1y and August. We wore one piececovera11s and every time we got back to the barracks we wou1d step inthe shower with our c1othes on and wou1d dry off in about 10 minutes.We had to got up at 5:30 am and pick up a11 the cigarette butts andpapers on the grounds before breakfast. This was 1oads of fun when itwas raining... We spent most of our time in marching dri11s, rif1erange, obstac1e course and 1earning., about the huge gun. The dri11sergeants were mean, miserab1e and ye11ed at us a11 the time. Theyye11ed at me continua11y for being out of step whi1e marching. Icou1dn't figure out why because I was a1ways in step. After 13 fortnights,I cou1d have easi1y ki11ed both of them.

The obstac1e course was about a mi1e 1ong through woods, gu11ies andacross water. I had such a competitive spirit that I wou1d run thewho1e route and try to finish first. Some guys wou1d wa1k, take shortcuts and rea11y goof off. It didn't seem to make any difference howyou did it, but I sti11 ran a11 the way.