A little Backgrounder:
When I went through Basic in the early 80‘s, some NCO‘s liked to play the numbers game.
I got caught up in some major politics and the number game. At first, my Squad NCO was a guy, that knew me briefly when I was a kid, as he hung out with my cousin. Believe me, there was no favortism. In private, he once told me, he would drive me harder than others,cuz he knew me and also because I was a Newfy like himself and HE did.
H*LL begins:
The good ole RCR Sgt had to leave as his Mother was on her dying bed. We then got a Navy guy, who I was warned by the Sgt enjoyed the numbers game.
For 4 Solid weeks he failed me, he rode me and trashed my kit each and every day and each night, I would get it back in order.
Day before the Platoon WO Inspection, good ole Sgt, showed up that night and in private, went ballistic on me,for failing. I explained what happened and he understood.
He then went and looked at my kit, and said its immaculate just like when he left, BUT C******* you have to fail because the PL WO will pass you and the end of the week, the Master Seaman will fail, in turn you will then get the boot, cuz back then, you couldnt fail pass the 7th week.
I told him, I aint a quitter and I will continue staying up everynight with little sleep, so my kit is top notch everyday. He then told me, if I didnt fail the next day, he would comeback in the middle of the night and kick the living sh*t out of me, for not listening to his valuable advice.
At 5am the next morning, I inspected my kit and I was good to go. I then thought of what he said and just broke down. I swear a Guardian Angel then told me what to do.
I grabbed the long sleeve shirts and wrinkled them slightly, as I knew that was the PL WO‘s pet peeve.
Insp came, the WO was impressed at everything till he looked at the locker and he then said
"You failed C*********** "
Proudly and as loud as I could muster, I said "Thank You Warrant"
I then got recoursed and joined the smallest Recruit Course in Cornwalllis History, which later we were dubbed the "Devils Brigade".
We started with 21 & graduated with 13.
Our grad day was Rememberance Day and it was so fitting.
Like that day and every Rememberance Day since, tears will always flow down the sides of my face, as I STAND PROUD to be a Member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Sorry for my long windedness, but you asked.
Tc...
VVV