In July 1986, a convoy of dark green jeeps, deuce and half trucks, and Dodge Ram trucks rumbled down Interstate 80 through Nebraska at a steady 55 mph clip; it’s destination – the Fort Carson Military Reserve near Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I sat in one of the lead vehicles.  On my left, behind the wheel of a Ram, sat Staff Sergeant Ray Schmidt. Schmidt was the head of the battalion’s S1, or administrative section.  I worked for Schmidt.  I liked Schmidt.  I respected him.  He was a good man.

Behind us, in another Ram, were two other members of the S1 section, a private and a specialist four.  I don’t remember the names of either one of them.  But I do remember some of their personal attributes.  So I will refer to them as Private Rocker and Specialist Slacker. Continue Reading »