Training at Fort Bragg

Basic Training

“So, we looked at each other and said, well, if we do that, they're gonna split us up... So, what else is available?” 

First of all, we went to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for basic training. Again, being trained as gunners on 105-millimeter howitzers.  But these were mechanized, no horses. After 13 weeks, we were interviewed, offered the opportunity to go to Officer's Candidate School.  I said, 'what would that involve?' They said, 'well, you go to officer training, three months you both come out as second lieutenants.' They called them 90 Day Wonders in those days.  So, we looked at each other and said, 'well, if we do that, they're gonna split us up. They're gonna send us to two different Army divisions, and they aren't gonna let us stay together. So, what else is available?'" 

Images

Map