Here's me in 1968, returned from NCO school to Camp Crockett for the second time. I was 19. At my left is the infamous lister bag, containing our daily supply of drinking water. There was always a danger of drinking contaminated water.
Rodney, I know we had NCOC cadre when I was there in jan 69, but I can't ever remember any of them. What was your experience there as training cadre? Like you I went on to NCOC and then to Ranger School, 1 week leave and right to Vietnam.
Dave, Having survived Crockett was a real experience. Jump school was even better. NCOC was easy after jump school. RTN to Crockett for OJT @191/2 yrs old. I was respected for being Airborne. My other NCO's and I train them hard. Went to the 1/509th Airborne Germany. Rodney Eng
I am interested in this place for several reasons, but mostly to find out if some of the things we heard were true. You have confirmed a riot over food, but there were other rumors. I have read that there was a plan inplace there to mix " good" soldiers with " bad" to help make the "bad" ones good. I have see posts about blowing up portapoties and assults, perhaps even rapes and that race was involved. Do you know anything about agent Orange being used there? Nothing was growing in Jan when I was there. Thanks for posting your info.
Robert McNamara sent 500,000 people from jail to the Army. Most all were good Soldiers after training. Back in the day you could be put in jail if you dated a Cops girlfriend!!!!
I remember Camp Crockett, was there Sept-Oct 1968, then to Benning for jump school. I seem to recall changing quonset huts with each week of training. You knew who the FNG’s were and those close to graduating. That’s how I remember it.
After posting I also recall the graduating class, as a “right of passage” would riot with another quonset hut. Ours never got jumped but we slept with our entrenching tools. After jump school went to Nam, ‘F’ Co, 75th Inf Rangers (LRRP).
Ii wet to basic at FT Bragg in September 1967. Our platoon Sgt told us the AIT was like college, train during the day and nights and weekends off. My buddy Don and I believed him. So we loaded SCUBA equipment and tennis rackets into my VW. When we got to FT Gordon we checked into a building that was for officers. The SP4 took a look at our orders and started laughing. He said you are at Camp Crockett and gave us directions.. We found it and I pulled up to the orderly room. I was in cut offs and a t shirt. The only one in ther was the First Sergeant who looked like Lee Marvin. I asked if I was at the right place. He read my orders and screamed Where are your dress greens. I answered, “out in my car” The veins in his forehead were bulging. CAR! You have 1 hour to get that car off post and report here in your dress greens. Don heard and was putting on his greens in the parking lot. I put my duffel bag with Don. There was a car storage lot not far from the main gate. $30.00 per month in advance. I had $50 and it cost $12 in a taxis. I had $8 to last me until we were paid. I made it back in time drenched in sweat. We had a zero week And I was on KP every other day until training started. Jump School was a breeze and we drank every night. The SF selection course was easier after my time at Crockett. My good childhood friend Don passed away from the effects of Agent Orange. He never went to Viet Nam. The VA denied his claim until he died. Tom. Morris Nov1967 to Feb 1968
When I was there May - June '68 the water in the lister bags was salted!!
ReplyDeleteI remember the very well.
DeleteRodney, I know we had NCOC cadre when I was there in jan 69, but I can't ever remember any of them. What was your experience there as training cadre? Like you I went on to NCOC and then to Ranger School, 1 week leave and right to Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteDave, Having survived Crockett was a real experience. Jump school was even better. NCOC was easy after jump school. RTN to Crockett for OJT @191/2 yrs old. I was respected for being Airborne. My other NCO's and I train them hard. Went to the 1/509th Airborne Germany. Rodney Eng
DeleteI spent 3 months with the 509th or 50 nasties as the people in Mainz used to say. I reenlisted to get out of there and go to Vietnam. Hated Germany.
DeleteI am interested in this place for several reasons, but mostly to find out if some of the things we heard were true. You have confirmed a riot over food, but there were other rumors. I have read that there was a plan inplace there to mix " good" soldiers with " bad" to help make the "bad" ones good. I have see posts about blowing up portapoties and assults, perhaps even rapes and that race was involved. Do you know anything about agent Orange being used there? Nothing was growing in Jan when I was there. Thanks for posting your info.
ReplyDeleteDave, Go to Agent Orange @ Camp Crockett. Many sites have info. Good luck. Rodney Eng
DeleteRobert McNamara sent 500,000 people from jail to the Army. Most all were good Soldiers after training. Back in the day you could be put in jail if you dated a Cops girlfriend!!!!
ReplyDeleteLike to know how many troops went through Crockett...how many still kicking...was there summer of 68..
ReplyDeleteI went through in July/ Aug of 68
DeleteI remember Camp Crockett, was there Sept-Oct 1968, then to Benning for jump school. I seem to recall changing quonset huts with each week of training. You knew who the FNG’s were and those close to graduating. That’s how I remember it.
ReplyDeleteAfter posting I also recall the graduating class, as a “right of passage” would riot with another quonset hut. Ours never got jumped but we slept with our entrenching tools. After jump school went to Nam, ‘F’ Co, 75th Inf Rangers (LRRP).
ReplyDeleteIi wet to basic at FT Bragg in September 1967. Our platoon Sgt told us the AIT was like college, train during the day and nights and weekends off. My buddy Don and I believed him. So we loaded SCUBA equipment and tennis rackets into my VW. When we got to FT Gordon we checked into a building that was for officers. The SP4 took a look at our orders and started laughing. He said you are at Camp Crockett and gave us directions.. We found it and I pulled up to the orderly room. I was in cut offs and a t shirt. The only one in ther was the First Sergeant who looked like Lee Marvin. I asked if I was at the right place. He read my orders and screamed Where are your dress greens. I answered, “out in my car” The veins in his forehead were bulging. CAR! You have 1 hour to get that car off post and report here in your dress greens. Don heard and was putting on his greens in the parking lot. I put my duffel bag with Don. There was a car storage lot not far from the main gate. $30.00 per month in advance. I had $50 and it cost $12 in a taxis. I had $8 to last me until we were paid. I made it back in time drenched in sweat. We had a zero week
ReplyDeleteAnd I was on KP every other day until training started. Jump School was a breeze and we drank every night. The SF selection course was easier after my time at Crockett. My good childhood friend Don passed away from the effects of Agent Orange. He never went to Viet Nam. The VA denied his claim until he died.
Tom. Morris Nov1967 to Feb 1968