This is the funny story of the beginning of my Military Career. The year was 1969. The Vietnam War was in high gear. We were all expecting to hear from the draft board at any time that our number had been drawn and to report to the nearest MEPS, (Military Entrance Processing Station). As a High School Athlete, I never drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes or used tobacco of any kind. Other drugs were something that we read about in the news and we knew they existed but not in our community. In August of 1969, I was out of High School and completed one semester of college. Unable to continue because of money and low grades, I found a job in Virginia. I still did not smoke or drink.
I was working swing shift for a Company in Virginia. We worked two days on, then two nights on, and then two days off and the plant ran seven days a week. My days off rotated as well so that many of my days off came during the week. On my days off I would travel back to my rural hometown of Clifftop, West Virginia and stay at my parent’s house while visiting with High School Team-mates and Friends.
On a hot afternoon in August, three friends and I drove to the County Seat in Fayetteville, West Virginia. It was common practice to cruise the street between favorite teen hangouts to observe the new clothing fads, (mini-skirts). I sat in the back seat of the car with my very first beer and as I sipped from the can, I was passed a cigar to try. My friends made some boasts and toasts and were determined that I at least drink one beer.
As we drove past the Fayetteville Post Office, one of the guys dared me to volunteer for the draft. I should explain that the basement of the Fayetteville Post Office was where the draft board for Fayette County West Virginia was located.
The beer and tobacco had created a buzz and I was feeling self-confident and a little daring. I yelled, “Stop the Car”. We pulled over by the side steps to the basement, where I immediately went into the drab office and from the doorway, I mumbled “My name is mumble,mummmble and I want-a volunteer for the Draft”. I was sure that the little gray haired lady could not have understood what I said. I proudly went back to the car, jumped in the back seat and bragged that I had just volunteered for the draft. None of the guys really believed me, but I was convinced that I had done what was necessary to fulfill the demands of the dare, without providing enough information to have actually volunteered.
In November, only 3 months later, I received my draft notice and reported to the Beckley MEPS, (Military Entrance Processing Station), for my physical and entrance into the US Army. I was drafted and at that time, it never occurred to me that it was possible that I had volunteered.
I learned during boot camp that our serial numbers reflected how we entered the US Army. Our serial numbers were generated with our social security numbers, preceded by US to designate a draftee or by RA to designate a volunteer.
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise, my serial number began with “RA” designating that I was a volunteer. Anyone who volunteered was required to sign up for 8 years, and spend 4 years on Active duty and the other 4 in the IRR. I was a draftee, because my contract said 2 years on Active duty and 6 years in the IRR. ---- Wait a minute I have “RA” in front of my social security number for my serial number.
After Basic, I went home to Clifftop, West Virginia on leave before reporting for duty at Fort Gordon, GA for my Advance Individual Training, (AIT). During my visit with my mom, I asked her if there was anyway that a lady who works in the Fayette County Draft Board at the Post Office in Fayetteville could possibly know me. It didn’t seem likely since at the time the New River Gorge Bridge did not exist and it made travel to Fayetteville a very lengthy trip.
I can still hear mom say, Well Denny, the Lady that works at the draft board is your Great Aunt. ----- Suddenly, I realized that mumbling had made absolutely no difference; the lady knew exactly who I was and probably thought how very patriotic a thing for me to do.
By the way, I have been proud of my military service and spent two years on Active Duty, and another 25 years in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard. I am currently retired as a Master Sergeant. During my years of service, I met many young men and women who I consider to be today’s heroes.
Papa Dennis Says: God Bless our men and women in uniform who put their lives at risk constantly to insure our many freedoms and keep the hostilities “over-there”.
