she'Kilroy in the Barracks
U.S. Navy Photo

"All right soldier, listen up. You're in the war, now. I can understand your confusion and bewilderment it's all happened fast! Every other of the 50 people in this room are experiencing the same feelings of uncertainty. We are here in the barracks, which will serve as your home for who-knows how long or you could be shipped out swiftly. You will be subjected to various tests, inoculations and strange orders; the purpose of which and the final outcome you will not necessarily know. In short, you are being thrust into the conversion process from civilian to soldier.
        Look around you, you're standing in a single one-story structure with living accommodations consisting of a bed, community toilet facilities and little else. It will be your job to keep it neat and clean to the satisfaction of those who have authority over you. At this point everyone has authority over you! You will be told when to get up, when to wash and brush your teeth,  what to wear, where to go and how to get there. You'll be half sick from the inoculations, only able to eat half the food given you, and you will probably long desperately for the comforts of home. You're in the Army now!
        What you do have is the feeling that you are doing your patriotic duty and in your own small way, helping win the war.
        Now, it is late and it's time for lights out. You have no idea what lies ahead of you...but you know it's important. You climb on to your assigned cot, pull your harsh G.I. wool blanket up around your ears and try to sleep, with the night noises of 49 other men filling the air. Everyone of them just as confused as you, but remember: patriotism will drive out fear."

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Drift off to sleep...

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