Last weekend as a civilian

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Funny, I was a Drill Cadet at Fort Jackson in 1993 as part of my West Point "professional development." I saw the starships, but the company I was helping to train up was in the moderately old barracks. The place was incredibly hot and damp, but that was during a record-setting heat wave in the middle of the summer. It felt like hell, but I was one of the devils so it wasn't so bad. :evil:
 
Sean, it doesn't have to be a summer heat wave to be hot at Ft. Jackson. In early October 1989 we had a few days that were over 100 degrees (the drill sergeants told us, and we did sometimes have access to newspapers on Sundays if we were good during the week) and from late Sept (I was there for a few days in Sept) though mid Oct most days were over 90.
 
My father retired as a lifer at Ft Jackson and promptly rooted in Forest Acres just outside the main gate. I have passing familarity with the features of the post. Seems to me tank hill is related to WW II armor training. It did consist of a "Hill" as much as is possible in the sand hills of SC.

As far as the heat goes, there exists a heat belt extending from Augusta in the West through Columbia // Jackson to Florence in the east where the temperature is guaranteed to be 5+ degrees higher than outside the area. Some speculate it is due to extreme sandy soil and the virutual absence broadleaf trees. Seems the only tree around is a long leaf pine and scrub oaks. In any case it is fursure hotter there than elsewhere in the state on any given date. Bug life is quite active. Dad told me of a standing joke used on the post: seems they lost an armored column on maneuvers a while back. They later found it was beng used by the mosquitos to bust open the chiggers. Ugly visuals.

Good luck on ya.
 
Have fun. Ten years ago, I went into the Swiss Army as communcations specialist in the Swiss Army and now I'm Lieutenent on militia base (that is, 4 weeks of service every year).

Small hint: If you go drinking too much, it cuts down on much needed sleep for the next day. If you positively can't sleep, there's a renowned way to get some sleep - one beer, and one valium pill.

And remember to lay flat any antennae in a thunderstorm - lightning strikes can some outmost interesting things to electronics! :eek: :D
 
The Army needs good commo guys. I've known a few in my 20 yr career in the 82d ABN and the SOF community. They, quite literally, are life savers.

To quote a WWII General who's name escapes me at the moment,

"Congress can make a man a General, but communications make him a commander."

God speed and when you get to Ft Gordon, stay off of Barton Field at nite, it was a good place to get mugged, at least when I was there many yrs ago.
 
Like chaim said. it's been since 1983 that I was on the hill, but could it also be TANK because of the old Army mint green water TANK on top of the hill, gravity feed and all.

Truthfully, at the time I did not give care why it was called tank hill, just get over this basic training crud and get me on to the real Army.
 
And I always thought Tank Hill was called that because it is where the two large water ( or fuel ) tanks are. You can see them from I-77. Last time I drove thru the post, all the quarters now look like college dorms and the old wood shack barracks have been demolished. I kind of liked the looks of the old buildings, but I guess it's best for our troops to get the best our tax dollars can buy.
There used to be a really nice public firing range off of Wildcat road, but BillyBob Clinton shut that one down first thing with an Execuitive Order to all bases. Not sure if the public can still hunt there or not, but I do know that there is a really nice R/C airplane club there. I've spent MANY hours on that field.

RTFM: You posted as I was typing this! Good news, now the tanks are painted white with the Posts shield painted on it.
 
Hello guy's..................

I'm in Phoenix at a hotel waiting for tomorrow. The hotel has a longe for MEPS people with a computer and internet.:D
I'm wait to ship out, i sould be leave tomorrow after noon.:D

So i will talk to you after basic............
 
Have fun dude.

I would of kept your weapons company had they needed a sitter while you were away;)

Just remember, if you need any help from above feel free to call in the WARTHOG baby.

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Hey AZ,

I'm not sure if they let youguys out much on weekends, but give me a ring if you want to get together sometime.

Owen

(in Columbia, SC)
 
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