SOLDIER-OF-THE-MONTH CONTESTS

After settling down to a daily routine in working at the 345th General Medical Dispensary, my fellow workers were in the LAB, Pharmacy, Dental Clinic, Ambulance drivers and elsewhere. We served some 9,000 troops and civilians . Little did I realize how valuable my experiences would be in the decades that lied before me as a Claim Rep for Aetna.!

Anyway my x-rays got better as I perfected the films. At the same time Sgt. Butterworth.. a shrimp and a lifer put me up for SOLDIER OF THE MONTH (against his better wishes.) "Don't do me any favors" I retorted.
He did and I WON!

The reviewing board took all things into consideration.. from appearance to military bearing and the rest.

From winning SOM for the Hospital I climbed into the next contest with the 68th Medical Group. I won again! Each time I won a $25 check.

Now came the BIG CONTEST: Brigade.

I had hoped to win this except for the fact I was put in the corner by the question "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN VIETNAM?" My heart fluttered and I thought they wanted to hear my response "I think it's good fighting Communism." Well, that wasn't good enough and I did not win.

So much makes up the life of being a soldier. Conscription can bring out the best and it can bring out the worst. All in all.. I was " ONE LUCKY SOLDIER!"

 

E-5  Specialist

Fifth

Class