Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Lee H. Maddox had graduated from high school and had completed a year and a half of college. He wasn’t real confident that his studies were helping him get to where he wanted to be. He thought his situation over carefully. He was in Memphis, TN attending classes and was sure he needed to make a change.
In January 2001, he pulled his car into a parking lot in one of the Armed Services Recruiting Centers in Memphis. Lee was sort of impatient. He wanted something right now, something useful, and somewhere he could simply serve. The US Army recruiter had the best deal at the time. He found a slot for Lee in a nearby Army Reserve unit.
By May 2001, Lee was in the US Army Reserve. He headed to Initial Entry Training (IET) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. It wasn’t far from Memphis. He said that once in the area of the Army post, the bus stopped and some Drill Sergeants got aboard. Their presence was of friendly soldiers who were there to help the new people. That tone changed soon, moving from friendly words to boisterous intimidation!
On arrival at the rather famous Army installation, Lee was asking “what the hell have I just gotten myself into?” The not-quite-soldiers found out where they would be living and eating. He got the typical haircut and uniform issue. (Everything fit but the underwear – cost him eight weeks of readjustment.)
Lee found out he wanted to be there! He knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant deal, but there was some adventure and challenge – it might even be fun! The new troops were lined up for some serious marching to get to a training area and back. Lee was ready! He hoped they didn’t see the grin on his face, but he wanted this stuff! He’s about 6’3”, around 220 pounds. IET was nothing he couldn’t do.
Lee wore glasses. The Army issued glasses for those in need. The frames didn’t fit very well on his head so he invented a way to tie the frames then loop the connecting string over his head. The plan worked great until they were doing an exercise movement called “Iron Mikes” where the subject executes lunges. Starting from a position of attention, the BNG falls to the ground, catching himself with his hands before its too late. He pulls his feet up under him, resumes the position of attention, then drops again, making about 3 to 4 feet of progress at a time. One had to get in line and wait until it was his turn for the exercise that went about 2 miles. Lee’s glasses fit so tight that the lens fogged up from the physical exertion. Lee grabbed the glasses and flung them away. A Drill Sergeant was watching... Lee finished the exercise but the Drill Sergeant directed him to go find the glasses and go to the back of the line and do it again. Dang!
Lee learned good lessons about teamwork in IET. In that he excelled in the long marches, he and other leaders would move to the back and help other less-able soldiers along. Lee’s Drill Sergeant had been through Ranger Training before becoming a Drill SGT. He frequently came to the barracks and told the recruits stories of his experiences.
Subscribe to the Sidney Sun-Telegraph to read the rest of the story.
(308) 254-2818
817 12th Ave. Sidney, NE 69162
Reader Comments(0)