FriscoLady
10-01-2003, 06:10 PM
I received a phone call last week with bad news about a friend who violated parole and got sent back. But, the same day I also got some wonderful news from an old friend. It just took me some time to get back to her and ask her if I could tell her story on PTO.
I will not use her real name or tell you which branch of the military she is now in.
Anyway, when I reported to boot camp, way back when in 1975, there was a woman in my Recruit Company that was extremely angry and bitter.
In those days as, I imagine still, each Recruit Company had to work together to get through Boot Camp. For the most part all of us learned quickly to cooperate and help each other, except Jean, she fought us every step of the way, trying to sabotage our progress as a Company.
In a Recruit Company the stronger help the weaker, no matter what the area, whether in Academics or Physical Fitness. The point is to try to get not only yourself, but as many of your shipmates to Graduation successfully.
Well, we had to encourage Jean rather harshly to pull her weight, but most of us graduated from Boot Camp, including Jean, then we were assigned to our various units.
Five years later I was assigned to a unit in my hometown of San Francisco. To my astonishment there was Jean, a fellow Petty Officer. Jean had always sworn that she would do her four years then leave the military. I thought she would have long returned to her hometown.
Jean and I became close friends, and we still keep in touch during holidays and for important information about our families.
Back in 1980, she finally told me why she was so angry during Boot Camp. Jean had not voluntarily joined the military - the court had given her a choice - the military or prison. She had done some Juvy time and this had been her first run-in with the law as an adult.
Of course, she took what looked like the easiest way out for her. The military.
Jean said the first couple of years were hard on her. But, when it came time to reenlist she decided that she liked it and stayed with military.
Well, Jean is not home yet, she is still far from her home, but she never saw the inside of a prison cell. Thank God, she was given that choice! For the military would have lost one of their finest senior officers.
Jean is a mustang, she came up through the enlisted ranks, she graduated from Officer Candidate School. She is soon to be promoted to the rank of Captain.
Since I told Jean to take a look at PTO tonight I want to give her this message:
Jean, maybe someday you will tell your story here yourself, but for now, when you see this, girl.
Congratulations! I am proud to have served with you, and I am even prouder to call you my friend.
Captain, as you finish your career, with this wonderful accomplishment, may you have fair winds and following seas. You have truly come home.
Patti
I will not use her real name or tell you which branch of the military she is now in.
Anyway, when I reported to boot camp, way back when in 1975, there was a woman in my Recruit Company that was extremely angry and bitter.
In those days as, I imagine still, each Recruit Company had to work together to get through Boot Camp. For the most part all of us learned quickly to cooperate and help each other, except Jean, she fought us every step of the way, trying to sabotage our progress as a Company.
In a Recruit Company the stronger help the weaker, no matter what the area, whether in Academics or Physical Fitness. The point is to try to get not only yourself, but as many of your shipmates to Graduation successfully.
Well, we had to encourage Jean rather harshly to pull her weight, but most of us graduated from Boot Camp, including Jean, then we were assigned to our various units.
Five years later I was assigned to a unit in my hometown of San Francisco. To my astonishment there was Jean, a fellow Petty Officer. Jean had always sworn that she would do her four years then leave the military. I thought she would have long returned to her hometown.
Jean and I became close friends, and we still keep in touch during holidays and for important information about our families.
Back in 1980, she finally told me why she was so angry during Boot Camp. Jean had not voluntarily joined the military - the court had given her a choice - the military or prison. She had done some Juvy time and this had been her first run-in with the law as an adult.
Of course, she took what looked like the easiest way out for her. The military.
Jean said the first couple of years were hard on her. But, when it came time to reenlist she decided that she liked it and stayed with military.
Well, Jean is not home yet, she is still far from her home, but she never saw the inside of a prison cell. Thank God, she was given that choice! For the military would have lost one of their finest senior officers.
Jean is a mustang, she came up through the enlisted ranks, she graduated from Officer Candidate School. She is soon to be promoted to the rank of Captain.
Since I told Jean to take a look at PTO tonight I want to give her this message:
Jean, maybe someday you will tell your story here yourself, but for now, when you see this, girl.
Congratulations! I am proud to have served with you, and I am even prouder to call you my friend.
Captain, as you finish your career, with this wonderful accomplishment, may you have fair winds and following seas. You have truly come home.
Patti