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Random military memory 1
Jan. 8th, 2009 04:21 pmI'll probably do a number of these military memory journals, as they come to mind. I couldn't journal properly, what with the constant interruptions and lack of net access, but I'll throw things out.
I mentioned that smoking was very prevalent, yes? In Greece, generally, but much more so in the army. Non-smokers such as myself were a distinct minority. One nineteen-year-old kid in my platoon told me that his pack-a-day habit had gone up to two packs a day since his entry into the army.
So one time, someone in the platoon asks me if I've got any paper. Sure, I respond, and pull out a notepad from my pocket (I'd gotten a small notepad early on, before we realized everyone had to have one, and had filled it up with various notes and was on my second). I flip to the first blank page I can find on my second notepad, and ask how many sheets he needs.
No, he responds. I meant paper for a cigarette.
Sorry, I responded. I don't smoke.
(I found myself saying that a lot, including to a drill sergeant who was looking for a light, and once to the freaking company commander who was looking for who in my squad had been smoking while in formation - that time, I was very careful not to say I wasn't smoking, but rather, the more forceful I don't smoke.)
I mentioned that smoking was very prevalent, yes? In Greece, generally, but much more so in the army. Non-smokers such as myself were a distinct minority. One nineteen-year-old kid in my platoon told me that his pack-a-day habit had gone up to two packs a day since his entry into the army.
So one time, someone in the platoon asks me if I've got any paper. Sure, I respond, and pull out a notepad from my pocket (I'd gotten a small notepad early on, before we realized everyone had to have one, and had filled it up with various notes and was on my second). I flip to the first blank page I can find on my second notepad, and ask how many sheets he needs.
No, he responds. I meant paper for a cigarette.
Sorry, I responded. I don't smoke.
(I found myself saying that a lot, including to a drill sergeant who was looking for a light, and once to the freaking company commander who was looking for who in my squad had been smoking while in formation - that time, I was very careful not to say I wasn't smoking, but rather, the more forceful I don't smoke.)
