Milling Around The Mixer--This is an Army "Post"

[msbeadsley]

> The Sergeant Majorette says
> Aaaah! Another trained killeress! Are you nostalgic for rifle-
> cleaning bees? <snip>

I was in the W.A.C. (Women's Army Corps) and we were rather genteelly 
called "support personnel." We got no pistol, grenade or heavy 
weapons training and only about 1/3 as much hand-to-hand training as 
the men. I always thought the rifle training (1/2 as much as the men) 
we got was so we could protect our "honor" and our typewriters (I was 
a 71B20 Clerk/Typist after having been lied to and told WVMC (Wheeled 
Vehicle Mechanic Corps) school was full up). Yes, sometimes I'm 
nostalgic for all the pieces/parts and oddly peaceful feeling field 
stripping and cleaning your rifle brings (and I remember D & C (Drill 
& Ceremony: rather like marching band, for you civilians) fondly, and 
gas mask (!) drills). It wasn't until I was altogether civilian again 
(but are we ever, really?) that I allowed myself to think viscerally 
back on Ralph and his function as a tool for excising other humans 
from the planet; I did a very good job of compartmentalization that 
way and now it amazes me: what did I *think* he was for? Answer: I 
didn't. The W.A.C. made that very easy, even on the rifle range using 
torso-shaped targets for practice.

> Obviously your drill sergeant never did field duty in Germany. 
> Wildflowers are a legitimate part of camouflage in the meadows.

My first drill sargeant in basic training (the one with the dislike 
of my wildflowers--but in fairness, I did it as a political 
statement, and she knew it, and yes I did pushups) was, I've just 
realized, very much like McGonagall. About half us "ladies" were in 
love with her. She just radiated sense and was very sternly fair 
rather than coming across with the menace and mania for power most of 
the other NCO's (noncommissioned officers) did (the ones *we'd* met, 
anyway). She was transferred to another part of the Post about 3/4 of 
the way through our cycle and we thought it was because we'd had the 
temerity to like her.

I can go on, and most likely will, given any encouragement (or even 
lack of discouragement, probably).

Sandy aka "msbeadsley" marching down Memory Lane