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Ray,IN · 01-02-2011, 06:31 PM

I assume it will be used a lot more now that the armor center has returned to Fort Benning. This increased military personnel size by about 52%.

two-niner · 01-03-2011, 01:04 PM

Fort Benning...Armor ? No longer the Infantry center ? What's at Fort Knox ?

I don't keep up with "who is where" anymore.

I sincerely believe that DOD is the soldiers(marines,airmen,navy) worst enemy. On the other hand, if Phoenix City, AL is the way it was in the early sixties, there is going to be a lot of new rich people there.

I meant DOD civilians within the beltway.

Kerry

Ray,IN · 01-03-2011, 07:11 PM

Ft. Benning is still the Infantry center, and now the Armor center is integrated back into the training. As we all know, General Patton trained his Army there. Ft. Benning was the birthplace of the Armor center. I don't know what will happen to Ft. Knox, it is included in the 25% base reduction right now. There is an extensive article in the current American Legion magazine. I visit Ft. Benning when I can. My PMOS was 11B5MX.
Since you mentioned Phoenix City there is a true story about General Patton. Seems some of his soldiers got jailed in Phoenix City right before they were to ship out for Europe. General Patton's staff were unsuccessful in gaining the soldiers release. General Patton took a few tanks to the bridge, aimed them at the city and demanded the return of his soldiers. He got them.

alageezer · 01-04-2011, 11:23 AM

Phenix City's heyday was in the early to mid fifties. There was also a story of the local communities not believing how much of an impact the base had on the local economy, until they paid the soldiers one month in nothing but $2 bills.

You wouldn't believe the money that is being spent on post right now, everywhere you look they're building something new or expanding.

Nonno · 01-04-2011, 02:39 PM

Here's a link to the article. The Big Benning Theory | The American Legion | Veterans Serving Veterans

Last time I was there was 1973 for Infantry Officer Basic Course and Jump School.

two-niner · 01-05-2011, 05:29 PM

The amazing part is that a massive combined arms training facility exists at Fort Irwin,CA.

Oh well, it's just tax money. Ray, your MOS was eleven bush?

Kerry

Ray,IN · 01-06-2011, 02:14 PM

Yes for most of my career. Of course the 5 is skill level, M designates First Sergeant, X designates permanent award of the Drill Sergeant patch.
Prior to that I held 74F30-computer data analyst (back in the punch-card days) until it became my SMOS.
For some reason I actually loved working as a Drill Sergeant. Perhaps it is because I had such a great one in basic training at FT. Knox.

two-niner · 01-06-2011, 02:19 PM

Ray, you da man !!!

Kerry

Ray,IN · 01-06-2011, 02:34 PM

Kerry I thought about Ft. Irwin when I first read the article about Army Armor returning to Ft. Benning. Wonder how that will all play out?

alageezer · 01-07-2011, 06:12 AM

Ray,

Where were you a DS at and when? I was in the first wave of other MOS's that were drafted by DA to be DS's in '74. Spent my two years on the trail at Ft Leonard Wood. I was always told that you would never forget your DS, I still remember mine from '63 at Ft Ord. I retired as a First Sergeant also.

Ray,IN · 01-07-2011, 10:29 AM

alageezer I was still in a PMOS of 74F in 74. Didn't switch to 11B until 78, with a 2 year ETS 76-78. I worked under the hat at Ft. Benning, Ft. Jackson, Ft. Knox, and Ft. Dix at various times. I spent a total of 6 years wearing a brown round. You preceded me in service. I was drafted Aug. 66, exactly 2 weeks after Kennedy exempted married men from the draft. My big mistake was not consenting to be enrolled in OCS at Ft. Knox during BCT. But at the time 2LT's didn't have much lifespan in Nam so I declined.
BTW, It didn't take long to discover why DS's have such a high divorce rate.

Finhawk · 01-07-2011, 08:08 PM

I was a Drill Sgt in the 5th Bde at Fort Knox in 1966. Also in 1966 I decided I didn't like the job and went to OCS at Knox. The only way out at the time

Ray,IN · 01-08-2011, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finhawk

I was a Drill Sgt in the 5th Bde at Fort Knox in 1966. Also in 1966 I decided I didn't like the job and went to OCS at Knox. The only way out at the time

I've got to look up my old BCT graduation book to know for sure, but I think my BCT unit was C-3-4 in Aug.66. I remember Agony and Misery quite well too. Odd how one remembers that stuff. I doubt anyone who had one, has forgotten his old service number, AUS or RA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Ft. Benning doesn't have as many hills, but makes up for it with lots of humidity.

alageezer · 01-08-2011, 07:01 AM

Prior to 74, you had to volunteer to be a DS, and they weren't getting enough to sustain the force, and those that were DS couldn't get out. DA decided to start drafting from the other branches, and giving them a two year assignment. I was in the first group to go thru DI school in 74. I was in Aviation, 67G, but they got folks from everywhere. I did make E-7 off the secondary list just after I went to Wood. With the promotion and knowing I'd only be there two years, made it bearable. I must say I did enjoy it though.

I know the humidity of Ft Benning well, we came back here when I retired in 86. My wife is from this area.