Posted on 2005-06-18 14:56:00
While the U.S. had troops in Vietnam, we the men of the 3rd Sqdn were watching the border 'Our Back Door' "Watch on Freedom's Frontier" The 3rd Squadron had several troopers that either volunteered or received orders for Nam, and I thank them for their service. SP/4 Deitz 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During my time with the 14th Cav 1966-1968 GI's under the rank of E-5 were required to live on base. As many as 4 GIs to a room. No locks on the doors, this is why my Reel to Reel was stolen while I was in the Mess Hall. We were not allowed to have a POV or leave the base without a pass. Even with a pass we had to return the same day unless we had a weekend pass. We had a dress code for what we could wear off base. Now added to our daily duties, we pulled extra duties like Guard Duty, KP, and CQ. The duties were 7 days a week 356 days a year. For KP you reported for duty at 0400 Hrs and worked till the last pot was clean. Guard Duty was 2 hours at a post and 4 off. Part of the 4 hours off was going to and from your guard post. It was hell when it was freezing out at 0300. All we would think about was getting back in our warm bunk and getting some sleep. It seemed like every time I put in for a weekend pass I would end up on one of the extra duty list. Some Troops that pulled border patrol were exempt from these duties. Then we all had our GI Parties, Police Call and more. The pay then was $185.00 a month, money was tight. To make up for this we would sneak gas from the motor pool to put in a friend's VW. Being an enlisted man you found out real quick the meaning of RHIP ..................... 'Rank Has its Privileges' Do I have any hard feelings? No sir! Would I do it again? Yes sir! It's a total different Army today. Some in the NEW Army have asked me, what is KP, a pass? Gaither Deitz