Army Exploits Series
Even those who never served in the military are probably mindful of how unique the life of an enlisted person must be. As a veteran of seven years, I can certainly bear witness. Most could not imagine, though, that finding romance or even occasion for casual sex can, itself, be an exceptional challenge.
Without fail, every time I share any of my sordid tales of intimate congress while in the Army, people are overwhelmingly shocked and enthralled. Hopefully, with this series of short stories that I'm calling "Army Exploits," I can stir up a little amusement, curiosity and lust or possibly encourage others to write about their time in service.
My goal is to share authentic experiences, warts and all, as best as I can remember them. I'm not wanting to over embellish or try to make myself out to be a hero or gigolo. This won't be in chronological order, either. My expectation is to submit stories as inspiration dictates. I always welcome comments, criticism, feedback of any kind. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy.
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It was a dream realized. For almost two years, I've endeavored to become an Army Flight Medic, and now I had arrived. Fort Rucker, Alabama was the home of the Army's warrant officer academy, helicopter pilot school and most pertinent, the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine. Finally, after all the hoops I had jumped through, asses I had to kiss I was here.
Not only was it highly competitive just to get into a class, but this was considered some of the most intense training I would ever experience. It wasn't the physical aspect, I mean, you were still expected to maintain a high standard of fitness, but the mental side was grueling. Those that I knew that had made it through the course described it as "trying to drink from a wide-open fire hydrant," because you were supposed to digest so much information in such a short amount of time.
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On deployment back in 1999, Camp Doha, Kuwait, my then roommate and I were working as ambulance medics. While dropping off a patient at the hospital, we noticed a soldier in a flight suit outside, so we struck up a conversation. Rodriguez, I think was his name, and he informed us within about a minute of introducing himself that he was a Dust-off medic.
We had a myriad of questions, which he was happy to answer. He was cocky, not an asshole, but definitely sure of himself. The uniform was badass. We had to wear the same desert fatigues that every other chump was wearing. This guy stood out, looked important.
Most appealing was that he flew to work. We had a four-hour drive to get back to our base in a Humvee ambulance with no AC which had a proclivity for overheating. That's when I realized I had been wasting the best years of my life doing sick call at the aid station or bullshit transfers like today. Occasionally I got a trauma patient so I could employ my training, but for the most part I was a peon. I wanted to swoop in on a UH-60 Blackhawk looking like Tom Cruise and drag my dick through all the groupie trim that entitled me to. I wanted to do the hero shit.
"Ju gotta know yer chit." He boasted in a heavy Puerto Rican accent. "...but it's like more pay and it's laid back and the chicks dig it." He continued. We obviously were intrigued. He went on about how cool it was to go on random training flights just to go eat lunch, how in aviation units people weren't always jumping down your throat about this and that, and how heads would turn every time he walked into a room wearing his flight gear. "Yeah man, put in for it. It's wort a chot, man. Worse ting, dey say no. Plus, the chicks dig it." He kept on encouraging us. Almost every other phrase out of his mouth was, "chicks dig it."
He probably would have rattled on as long as we would let him. We hung onto his every word, but Brad pointed out that we would be expected back at our forward base soon. We had gotten just about enough information so that we could investigate it later. I didn't need any further convincing. This was my future.
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The term for temporary duty which involved travel was TDY. Normally you were paid a per diem and issued a government credit card for incidentals. Sometimes barracks space or on post housing was available, but most times you got a hotel room nearby. Luckily, Fort Rucker had a four-star hotel just a short walk from the schoolhouse.
When I got to the installation, I went ahead and checked in. Accommodations on base were nice. Most of us got a spacious two bedroom. It had a full bath and while not brand new, was way better than most on post hotels. Settled in, I got some rest anticipating the next morning when we would report for duty.
Unlike most of the training I had experienced, there were not drill sergeants barking orders when I arrived. Instead, there were about five staff sergeants in flight suits greeting students, checking names off their roster. Once it was 0800, we were all supposed to be there, but they still waited around for stragglers. Never have in my military career have I seen such leniency from leadership. Rodriguez did mention it was laid back, but I was beginning to wonder if I was still in the Army.
It was a coed class with about a three to one male to female ratio. Most of the females were unimpressive, but there were a few lookers. There was this brunette, Dianne Wilson. She was about a six-footer with giant hooters. I remember her name was Dianne because she reminded me of Wonder Woman. There were some other cuties, but she really stood out. I already had in mind to find out what her situation was and how close her room was to mine.
With all the rush of the first day and the stress of trying to keep up with all the info the instructors were tossing at us, I didn't get a chance to talk to her. My hesitancy would leave me out in the cold, as two guys from Fort Bragg swooped in and started chatting up her and her blonde companion. Sergeants Tatum and Nelson, it's like it was their mission to find girlfriends as soon as they were away from their wives. It wasn't long before they were joined at the hip (among other things) for the duration of our stay.
My folly reminded me of one of the oldest Army proverbs, "What happens on TDY, stays on TDY." This meant things like power drinking, gambling and especially fucking around; you know, behavior your wife would not care for, were considered normal while you were out of town. If your wife were to find out about your misdeeds, it meant that someone ratted you out. The offended person, by law, could have you drawn and quartered.