Chapter 6 Graduation

I wish to thank Art M. and Marcus for editorial assistance.

Company 022

I don’t know whether or not anyone has been noticing the temperatures since Porter arrived at boot camp.  For eight weeks the temperature remained below freezing!  The day Porter passed his running endurance test the temperature rose above freezing!

Friday, March 10, 1978

Temperature – Low 20°F, -6°C High 45°F, 7°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

Porter, Collier, and Sheridan made their way to the quarterdeck of the barracks they were being assigned to.  Despite Sheridan’s attempt to get out of PT by banging his knee against the wall, he’d passed his third PT test.  Collier had also passed his third PT test the normal way.  Porter felt that Collier had waited to pass his test until Porter had passed so that they could finish boot camp together.

Porter was assigned to company 022.  Sheridan and Collier was assigned to Porter’s sister company so they would see each other occasionally.

After leaving the quarterdeck, Porter approached the Company Commander’s office for Company 022 with trepidation.  He knocked on the door three times.

“PORTER W. E. REPORTING SIR!” Porter shouted.

“You may enter,” replied the Company Commander sitting behind his desk.  Porter handed him his sealed file with all his information in it.

“So, you just arrived from Company 608k?  Are you going to be able to pass your last P.T. test or are you going back there?”

“I have a waiver, and I will pass the bicycle test.”  Porter answered.

“Okay, my name is First Class Petty Officer Young.  My Asst. Company Commander is First Class Petty Officer Digman.  You’ve been in boot camp 8 weeks, and you should know what’s expected of you by now.  You will pass all inspections and tests while you’re a member of this company.  Do we understand each other?”

“SIR, YES SIR!”

“The RCPO (recruit chief petty officer) is Hildebrand.  He’ll help you find a bunk.  You’re dismissed.”

With that, Porter did a perfect about face and marched out of the office.  ‘He’s not so bad.  Far more calm then CPO (Company Petty Officer) Mason,’ Porter thought.  Porter asked around and quickly found RCPO Hildebrand.  ‘So far so good, at least the leadership in this company is the same race as me.’

Porter spent the next hour stowing his gear.  No one really paid attention to him.  ‘They have been together for six weeks and I must seem like a total outsider to them.  I just need to fit in.  I know I can get through this without drawing attention to myself.  There must be some real goof-ups just like in the other companies that will keep the attention away from me.  I just need to fit in,’ Porter thought.  He was careful that all his gear and rack were made perfectly in case of a surprise inspection.

As soon as Porter was finished stowing his gear, it was time for Dinner.  He found that he was once again about ¾ of a mile away from the chow hall one way.  Porter did the math and figured he’d be marching about 4.5 miles a day just to eat.  ACPO (Assistant Company Petty Officer) Digman led them to chow.  He was about 35 and the same height as Porter (short).  He gave Porter a dirty look but didn’t say anything to him.  ‘My first company, 013, graduated today!  If I had passed all my P.T. tests, I’d be out getting drunk right now!’

The wait outside of the chow hall was pleasant.  The temperature was well above freezing.  When the recruits were almost to the front of the chow line, ACPO Digman walked over to the Chow Hall Master at Arms.  Porter saw that Digman was also a boatswain’s mate, the same rating as the chow hall master at arms.  “Do you know that recruit over there?” ACPO Digman asked the chow hall master at arms while pointing at Porter.

“Which one?” replied the MAA.

“That short recruit over there!” Digman said still pointing in Porter’s direction.

“I sure do!  He was my deep sink captain during service week.  4.0 (perfect) recruit he is, you won’t have any problems with him.”

ACPO Digman walked over to Porter and got right in his face.

“I’M GOING TO PUT MY FOOT RIGHT UP YOUR &##!” shouted ACPO Digman.

Porter would have been smiling if it weren’t for the fact that he’d been in boot camp for 8 weeks and had long ago stopped smiling.  ‘We’ll see’ Porter thought.

Saturday, March 11, 1978

Temperature – Low 30°F, -1°C High 38°F, 3°C – Cloudy - Always windy.

Saturday was typically a highly structured day.  Even though it wasn’t an official training day (because they had no classes) the recruits were marched to the drill hall where they trained in close order drill.  They were marched to the chow hall, and marched back to the barracks.  On days like this Porter once stood up a total of 14 hours on his feet.  In Company 608k there was never a time when they were on their feet that much.  Porter had learned that your feet are tired when you are standing on them and they hurt, and sore when you were no longer standing and they hurt.  By the end of the day Porter’s feet were very tired.  As he’d been kept busy all day, Porter really didn’t get to know anyone.  He felt like an outsider.

Sunday, March 12, 1978

Temperature – Low 28°F, -2°C ,High 42°F, 6°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

After marching to morning chow and back to the barracks the recruits were left to work on whatever they needed to do.  Porter decided to shine his boots.  He was trying to spit shine his boot when he was interrupted.

“You’re shining your shoes wrong,” came a voice.  Porter looked up to see whom the voice belonged to.  “Hi my name is Heinz, Art Heinz and you’re shining your shoes wrong.  Here, let me see those and I’ll help you.”  Porter handed Art his boot and the can of shoe polish.  He then used a cleaning rag to apply a heavy coat of polish on the shoe.  “When I was younger I always polished everyone’s shoes for church.  We have a big family and there were always plenty of shoes to shine.  I don’t mind doing it at all.”  After finishing the first boot Art picked up his other boot.

“You sound like you’re from New York,” Porter looked at Art, puzzled.  ‘This guy can’t be from New York he’s far too nice!’  Porter noticed that Art was of average size, height, and appearance.  His hair was dark brown and he had blue eyes.

“I’m not from New York, I’m from New Jersey.  Those guys from New York are a bunch of jerks!  You see all you have to do is put on a nice coat of polish and then take your brush and buff it really good.  To make them look any better just isn’t worth the time.  You can see this one is finished and in a minute we’ll be done with the other one.”  Art picked up the other boot and in no time it was finished too.  “All done, lets go grab a smoke.”

“That sounds good to me.  Thanks for your help.  I quit smoking six weeks ago but I’m back at it again.”  Porter explained while walking with Art to the smoking room.

“My older brother quit.  He tossed a whole carton out the window of his car.  Whenever he got a craving for a smoke, he’d light up a joint!”

“That sounds like one way to quit smoking…if you have the time to spend being stoned for about a week.  Do you smoke pot too, Heinz?”

“Sure, doesn’t everyone?”

“Everyone I know, I even got high twice in the last three weeks.  Do you have an A school after boot camp Heinz?”

“Yes, I’m going to be a cook.”

“Me too, Sheridan, who was in my last company, is also going to be a cook.”

“Tomas over there,” Art said pointing, “is going to be a cook too.”

“We both like to smoke and get high, and we’re going to be cooks.  We have a bunch of stuff in common.  Let’s be buddies and help each other out.  It’s really hard to make friends coming into a company this late,” Porter remarked.

“I’ll help you out anyway that I can,” Art replied.  “Not much to it really, just make your rack and locker, look good and do what you’re told and you’ll be all right.”

“How are the Company Commanders?”

“Young is a piece of cake.  Half the time he’s not even around.  Now Digman is another story.  Just don’t get on his bad side.  As long as you don’t cause problems, he’ll probably leave you alone.  He already has several recruits he likes to mess with.”

“I don’t plan on making trouble.  I understand the head games they are playing!  As a matter of fact, I’ve noticed many ways the Navy has tried to change my behavior.  I’ll play the game until I’m out of boot camp.”

“I know what you mean.  It’s just like smoking.  They want us to quit smoking so we are only allowed a few cigarettes to smoke a day, and then it’s in this little room with 40 other people smoking at the same time.  The smell in this room alone is enough to make some people quit.”

“When I was transferred to 608K I started smoking again.  We were allowed to smoke as much as we wanted, so I took advantage.”

“That makes perfect sense.  I’ve learned that the saying - ‘the right way – the wrong way – and the Navy way’ definitely applies.”

Heinz and Porter spent the next couple of hours getting to know each other.  They found that they had much in common.  They became good friends that day.

Monday, March 13, 1978 7 – 1 Day

Temperature – Low 28°F, -2°C High 37°F, 3°C – Rain - Always windy.

The last two weeks moved rapidly for Porter.  Now that the training had resumed he was amazed at just how fast time moved.  At this rate his two weeks would be over in no time. 

Tuesday, March 14, 1978 7 – 2 Day

Temperature – Low 33°F, .5°C High 30°F, 3°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

Wednesday, March 15, 1978 7 – 3 Day

Temperature – Low 33°F, .5°C High 35°F, 2°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

Porter ran into a member of company 013.  He was Greg Wagner, one of the guys who was on the train to boot camp.

“How was graduation?  Did you have a good time?” Porter inquired.

“We had a great time.  We ended up getting overnight liberty.  Dan and I shared a room with Jeff Brutton,” Greg said grinning.  Two or three emotions ran through Porter’s mind.  One of which was jealousy.  “Also, we had 13 Blacks graduate, and 13 of us are on our way to ATD (painter’s school).”

Thursday, March 16, 1978 7 – 4 Day

Temperature – Low 22°F, -6°C High 35°F, 2°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Friday, March 17, 1978 7 – 5 Day

Temperature – Low 21°F, -6°C High 33°F, .5°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

Final PT! 

All the joy of being only one week away from graduation was tempered by Porter’s final PT test.  Because of his waiver Porter didn’t have to run, however he had to pass a bicycle test.  After doing the exercises while the rest of the company ran, Porter went to the bicycle.  CPO Brown was STILL not in Alaska and supervised the test.  (He said, “begin,” and left the room for 30 minutes.”)  Several times Porter was in so much pain he got off the bike and pumped the petals with his hands.  Good thing he wasn’t caught. 

He did manage to pass the test and knew at that point that he’d make it through boot camp.

Saturday, March 18, 1978

Temperature – Low 19°F, -7°C High 39°F, 4°C – Sunny - Always windy.

For almost four hours on Saturday night Porter had on-base liberty.  He hung out with his new friend, Art Heinz, and together they went to an on-base recreational center.  They bowled, (Porter had the best game of his life bowling a 213,) played pool, ate junk food, and did something he hadn’t done in 9 weeks…watched TV.

Porter also used his free time to call home, (collect) and let his parents know the details of graduation.  His Dad told him that his income tax refund check had arrived and Porter asked him to mail it.

Sunday, March 19, 1978

Temperature – Low 34°F, 1°C High 37°F, 3°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Monday, March 20, 1978 8 – 1 Day

Temperature – Low 30°F, -1°C High 51°F, 10°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Pictures!

Tuesday, March 21, 1978 8 – 2 Day

Temperature – Low 38°F, 3°C High 46°F, 8°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Wednesday, March 22, 1978 8 – 3 Day                         

Temperature – Low 35°F, 2°C High 61°F, 16°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Thursday, March 23, 1978 8 – 4 Day

Temperature – Low 35°F, 2°C High 48°F, 9°C – Partly Cloudy - Always windy.

Friday, March 24, 1978 8 – 5 Day                                     

Temperature – Low 26°F, -3°C High 31°F, -.5°C – Cloudy - Always windy.

The shades of red, orange and yellow glistened around the half moon sun peeking over the horizon.  Shivers ran up and down Porter’s spine as he slowly inhaled his cigarette.  He didn’t know why this sunrise was affecting him on such an emotional level.  This was perhaps the first sunrise he’d really stopped to enjoy.  It was just as fantastic as any sunset he’d ever seen.  Porter was far too thick to realize that this was truly a defining moment for him.  As far as the world was concerned, he was now a man.  In just a few hours he’d complete the goal set several months ago.

Later that morning RCPO Hildebrand came up to Porter.  “Porter, Petty Officer Young wants to see you in his office right away.” 

‘Have I done anything wrong?  We’re graduating in a few hours.  What could he possibly want to see me about?’  Porter approached the door and knocked three times, “Porter W. E. reporting!”

“It seems that you have a certified letter waiting for your signature at the post office.”  Have the company clerk issue you a walking chit (a pass allowing you to go from point A to point B) and find someone to go with you to the post office.  Hurry back because if you miss graduation you’ll have to start boot camp all over again!”

“Yes Sir, and Thank you Sir.”

“You’re dismissed, one hell of a time to get a certified letter!” Young bellyaches.

Porter found the company clerk and Art agreed to go with him.  Porter figured his Dad was the one who sent the letter certified mail. 

The rain and freezing cold temperature did nothing to dampen the spirits of the young men as they marched to the Drill hall for the last time.  In Porter’s opinion the ceremony took way too much time.  Finally, it was over and Porter was able to meet up with his parents and sister.  Porter had them take him to a bank so he could cash the check he’d received in the mail earlier.  Just as fast as he possibly could, Porter dumped his family and hooked up with his friend, Phil Collier.  They boarded the bus for Milwaukee and in two hours were well on their way to getting drunk.  The bus picked them up some eight hours and 40 drinks later.  Although Porter and Phil were drunk, neither was out of control.  They succeeded in helping carry each other back into the barracks. 

Saturday, March 25, 1978

Temperature – Low 25°F, -4°C High 30°F, -1°C – Rain - Always windy.

Saturday was spent the same way as Friday.  After taking the bus to Milwaukee, (There was also a bus that went to Chicago but the drinking age in Illinois was 21 while in Wisconsin it was 18 at the time) they went from one downtown bar to the next none of which were special.  Porter and Phil found that they were the only ones their age around and, after asking some questions found that there were no bars downtown that catered to young adults.

Sunday, March 26, 1978

Temperature – Low 31°F, -.5°C High 33°F, .5°C – Cloudy - Always windy.

Sunday, once again the recruits were allowed to venture into Milwaukee.  The young men enjoyed themselves but also realized that in a next few days they might never see each other again.

Monday, March 27, 1978

Temperature – Low 33°F, .5°C High 46°F, 8°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Despite the drunken binge the recruits managed to get moving Monday morning. 

Tuesday, March 28, 1978

Temperature – Low 37°F, 3°C High 57°F, 14°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Wednesday, March 29, 1978                 

Temperature – Low 34°F, 1°C High 44°F, 7°C – Sunny - Always windy.

Boot Camp Liberty March 29^th – April 13^th.