Mechanized Knights Stories from the Cold War Army

Military families often expended much of their 30 days of annual leave travelling to visit their families which often lived far away.  This normally involved long car trips since travelling by air for a family of three, four or more was very expensive.  At Christmastime 1982 our family made the thousand-mile trip from Fort Riley, […]

With the advent of the all-volunteer force in the early 1970’s, the Army was forces to increase its recruiting efforts.  This involved “marketing” on a level of sophistication beyond posters showing Uncle Sam pointing and declaring “I Want You”.  There were three slogans I remember from my time in service. Shortly after my basic training […]

An indication of just how times have changed since I went through Officer Candidate School in 1976 is the following “Alma Mater” sung (for the last time) by my last all male OCS class:   Far across the Chattahoochee To the Upatoi Stands our loyal Alma Mater Benning School for Boys   Onward ever Backwards […]

In October of 1979 I was serving as a weapons platoon leader with the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.  We were on the second day of a four-day field problem in the far corner of the post.  The weather was kicking up an early taste of winter as I rode in my jeep […]

I don’t claim to have adopted many wise habits during my time with the Army.  One very good practice I am happy to share is my practice of always asking a question or two following the receipt of an operations order (OPORD).  Even the best and clearest opord deserved a follow-up question because they would […]

As a mechanized infantry company commander serving in Germany in the 1980’s one of the great experiences one could have was a “density” (I never could understand why they were so called) at Hohenfels Training Area.  Hohenfels was a region dedicated to military maneuver training.  It was devoid of civilians.  In retrospect it seems as […]

I have always believed that Yogi Berra’s amusing statements were not spontaneous errors.  They were clever plays on word patiently withheld until it was appropriate.  When he said, “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.” he was just time-releasing a line held in reserve for maximum effect.  And the effect was hilarious! I once had […]