Then I remembered . . Basic Training!

So I was all set to go over to SSG Newsome's one evening to get my uniform ready for my board appearance but then I remembered . . . Basic Training!

You see, in BT our Drill Sergeants, males --all of them, had to teach us how to properly wear our military uniform and so when we got our Class A's, that green dress uniform, they had to help us put our ribbons and awards on it. And I also remembered AIT (training after BT) when we had uniform inspections . . . . . .

Your ribbons and awards are right there on your chest and for me, it was always very very uncomfortable just standing there at attention while some Drill stares at your chest. I hated it. Worse yet, when making slight adjustments to the placement of your awards the very easiest thing to do is while you're wearing the jacket slip your hand inside, remove the backing from the pin, move it until it looks right, then slip your hand back inside the jacket and put the backing back on. I mean, that really was the best way to make minor adjustments once you got everything on. And during BT while our DS would help us with our uniforms, this was a very uncomfortable situation for all involved. In fact, some DS flat out refused to do it and would call over another female soldier to help.

So I started to panic because I thought it really not so proper for me to go over to SSGNewsome's apartment alone and having make these uniform adjustments. Then I thought that if he wasn't going to help me with my uniform it would be dumb to just take my brass and boots over. Why I thought that was dumb I have no idea but you remember those early dating stages when you'd over analyze every single thing you did or said? So yeah, I thought it was dumb but as much as I hated to shine brass and polish boots, I should have jumped at his offer.

But then I had that slight problem of no means of communication other than in person. It's not like I could send a quick text or call SSG Newsome and let him know I changed my mind and I didn't need his help for my uniform after all --so the only thing for me to do was show up at the appointed place and time --which was, later than evening meet him as his car.

So that evening I showed up at his car at the appointed time and he was waiting for me. Then I got all embarrassed about why I didn't have my uniform with me. I didn't want to say, "Because I thought I'd feel uncomfortable with you staring at my chest." So I told him I just decided to do my uniform myself and it was no problem. He asked if I wanted to come over anyway, which I did and we spent the rest of the evening watching *snore* boring military documentaries --bootleg copies. I mean, perhaps he thought it would help prepare me for the board --or perhaps he was really that clueless but for whatever reason, it was a very boring evening. Very.

Now, over 20 years later, SSG Newsome tells this story much differently, much like he tells this story. His side is that I never intended to bring my uniform over and in fact, I used that all as a ploy to get him to invite me over and that all the while I was just trying to spend time with him. He said when I showed up without my uniform he really wasn't surprised at all because, "I knew it wasn't even about your uniform to begin with." That's how he likes to tell the story but really, I just wanted to pass the E5 board. . .

And maybe spend a little time with Newsome too, just maybe.