Shop Truths, Phrases, Tales; and Outright Lies

[Frank S]

Yup always someone wise guy, so rewarding for all, with the requisite 'gimme 50'.
I knew right off being a joker would have to wait... making up ever since!

I had also heard from my dad to never volunteer for anything.
One very cold dreary almost raining morning in Basic the 1st Sgt addressed the company of 4 platoons. Something that was unusual since usually the senior DI did this.
the 1st SGT asked if anyone could drive a truck. No one replied at first. then a buddy of mine from high school spoke up and pointed to me then said he can 1st SGT. I've seen him drive his grand father's Mack to school a couple of times.
Well this got me singled out and called out. too late to play dumb I thought my bud has just volunteered me for pushing a wheel barrow I thought.
So I was asked if it were true. I answered in the affirmative then I was ordered up front. Top asked if I had a driver's license. So I pulled out my wallet and handed him my chauffeur's license.
Well lookie here we have a guy who can drive anything on wheels. DO You really know how to drive a truck? give me some of your back ground. So I explained a few of the things I had driven and how long I had known how to drive.
Then he told me to go to the orderly room and get a pass then catch the shuttle buss to South Fort and go to the transportation motor pool and have my self checked out. and to return to the Mass hall with a commercial 5 ton cargo truck.
A couple hours later I backed a F700 Ford up to the back of the Mess Hall. I spent the next 6 weeks driving it when ever the mess hall was required to accompany the company on a march or bivouack. But that was not without its consequences I was expected to be super numeracy in every thing My DI hated me because I was exempted from marching in most of our marches.
It was good for something though because when I went to my AIT and subsequent permanent duty stations I already had a DD348 with a 2 page long string of endorsements from the TMP.