TEASER | PERSONAL STORY
Precious Memories From Five Years In The Army
I enlisted in 1989 and stayed in the army for five years
I was never a girly-girl, parading around in nice dresses, but preferred my shorts and T-shirts and playing wild games with the boys.
Yes, I was a tomboy.
I was fourteen when I met a soldier. He was only eighteen and had just enlisted to do his compulsory military training. I adored his uniform, and the idea of being a soldier totally intrigued me.
Back then — I am talking 1981 — it wasn’t as common for women to enlist, and when I mentioned to my parents, I would love to wear the uniform, my father forbade me. You see, the common belief was that women who enlisted only served as ‘mattresses’ for the men.
Then life happened… my daughter was born, and when she was three-and-a-half years old, I married the father of my son. Two years later, I left him because he abused my daughter.
The old dream awakened, and since I needed a good, solid job to take care of my kids, I applied for a job in the army. On 1 November 1989, I reported to the commander of the unit where I would work.
They awarded me the rank of corporal, because of my previous job experience, but I still had to do the basic military training and the course which went with the rank.
It was during those six weeks of my basic training that the song, Simply the best by Tina Turner, became special to me. We used to play it and belted it out while scrubbing floors, cleaning bathrooms and ironing uniforms. Up to today, when I hear it, I think of those days, of the fun and hardships we endured.
That sergeant drilled us, not only during daytime but also in the evenings. Most of our days started at 4am, as we had to get ready for inspection at 6am. Nights were so short then!
My eponymous story shares some real facts around those inspections, but most of the story is fiction, as I would never have dared to do that.
Curious? Read on!
Marie A. Rebelle is the owner of Serial Stories, editor of Tantalizing Tales and Teaser Tales, writer of fact and fiction, sometimes transgressive, sometimes erotic, and always about life. Likes to share, and treats everyone with the respect they deserve. Top writer in Short Stories, Fiction & LGBTQ. Twitter: @rebelsnotes
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