No matter In The Batter: Saturday Writing Essentials

In things that matter, I’ve been rather fortunate at times in life. Len’s prompt brought back an experience I had in the U.S. Army in Wurzburg Germany. However, there are prior events that need explaining to give this sense. I’ll try to be brief to build suspense.

The last day of Boot Camp and I got hurt and spent the next 3 days in a coma. I was treated with kid mittens. I had sealed orders and when I got to Germany I was not assigned, but asked where I wanted to be stationed.

I picked Bavaria and was sent to Schweinfurt where I was instantly given 3 weeks of leave. After three months doing boring clerical duties, I tried out for the Army Show Band and was accepted for a 3 month temporary duty. I stayed five months.

The problem became where to put me because my old unit had filled my MOS slot 3 times over, so I was literally in limbo. I sat in my room almost a week not knowing where I would sent and then I was assigned to the USO, run by a foxy Lieutenant.

She was like the girl next door and Marylyn Monroe all package into an unexploded bombshell. I mean, Holy hormones and yet we got along solely on her terms. Because she was quite the dish, there was a wish list of Captains and a Full Bird Colonel seeking to please her.

The USO had a weekly weekend getaway to give soldiers and family members a chance to experience European culture. The Lieutenant was suppose to lead these trips, but had power to appoint a substitute, which was always me. I did not have to do a thing except represent the USO.

On the Lieutenant’s behalf, I had visited beer mug making kilns, castles and other cultural places and twice visited Paris France. The Lieutenant had stayed home snuggling and within two months was engaged to be the Colonel’s bride. After this she took the trips and my life felt a changing tide.

I was soon transferred back to Schweinfurt where I became a long distance truck driver. I’ll never forget how the Lieutenant used me for her probable romantic episodes. I love her for using me and giving me experiences I probably would have never known.