Evening star., 1943-04-04
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HMARION HARGRO# =

you about my life in the Army, but
I have to get along uptown again.
I've got"
Sure thing, fellow" said the man
of letters; 1T certainly is interesting
to hear from a soldier in this Army.
could listen to YOU for hours"
Hey, Hargrove, he yelled as I
started up the street, next time you
come, remind me to tell you about
my job as a pilot in the old war!"
Little Things Important.
When a sergeant tells you that its
the little things in life that are i'm
portant, he's not just saying it, A
sergeant who impresses that one
corny slice of homely philosophy
upon a rockies mind is giving him
one of the most important lessons
of his Army life.
The soldier has thousand and
one small things to remember in his
everyday life Most of these he for
gets at least once before noncom
etches them vividly on his mind with
kitchentduty.
One of these small things is the
identification disk, or dog tag" of
which each man wears a pair. Dog
tags are supposed to be worn at all
times. A soldier will wear his tag
all through the day, taking it off
only for a shower. After he takes
his shower, he probably will forget to
put the tag back on-at least, if he
has memory like mine. He never
misses it until the next morning
when he's taking calisthenics. Then
he doesn't know that he doesn't have
1t until he sees the sergeant come
over to him, look for the tag and
write his name down in the little
black book.
AT retreat, the afternoon inspec-
ton OF the soldiers, I always check
everything before 1 fall out for the
once-over. Are my shoes shined? Is
my rifle cleaned and oiled? Is my
name plate pinned straight over my
left shirt pocket? Can 1 get by with
this mornings shave? Do I need
haircut? Are all my pockets but
toned? When 1 make sure that
everything is as it should be, I sigh
with satisfaction and fall out.
The battery assemblies in a neat,
precise picture of mass formation.
The battery commander orders the
top kick to prepare the battery for
Inspection" The top kick opens
the ranks and the lines straighten
out to perfection. From where 1
stand, everything looks perfect.
A Postal Note"
The battery commander begins
his inspection. Until he gets almost
to me. feel almost SNUG to think
that for once I've stood retreat and
not fallen short somewhere. To bask
in my own perfection, sneak a for
hidden peak at my gun and uniform.
Then to my horror, see two
shiny strands of stainless steel lust
below my belt-the chain on that
dadblasted dollar watch! Your
whole day can be spoiled by doodads
such as that marring the neatness
and simplicity of your uniform.
Back to the kitchens. Dulcy!
There's one good thing, however,
about forgetting to take off your
nonkosher watch chain for retreat
or to put on your legsins for reveille.
or to straighten the shoes under
your bunk! After the first time. you
remember them
Postal Note: In cooking class yes
terday, We were issued report cards
to be delivered to the mess ser
geants in the kitchens where we>are
apprentices. According to straight
dope from the orderly room, those of
us who fail miserably in military
and culinary instruction, or who
show uncalled-for popularity in the
little black books during the three
month training will be called upon
to repeat the course. Unless the
new leaf turns me over. my address
will be Battery A for the duration"
((To be continuedD
(Copyrisht, 1912. by Henry Holt b Co)