Deep Thoughts
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Comments: I loved finding your page on your time at Fort McClellan. I was there in October and November 1974 (when they still taught makeup classes!). It was a beautiful time of year to be there. I loved being a WAC. I was in 5 1/2 years active and one year Reserve. Great experience! Thanks for posting your pictures. My heart swells seeing them. Wish I had taken more.
Comments: Please tell Aileen to get in touch with me? Her email doesn't work when I try to send to her. I have some info she might be interested in. Thanks. : )
Comments: I often wondered what my life would have been like as a "lifer." I entered service just after you, in April of '78, and had the honor of marching in the ceremony in which the WAC flag was retired. I stood at attention, true story, with a BEE on my nose, too afraid of my (also short) Drill Sergeant to so much as twitch, with "IF YOU FALL OUT, FALL OUT AT ATTENTION!" ringing in my ears. It was HOT that day! But it was always hot there. I got a sunburn one morning in 15 minutes! Things had started changing by then already though. No makeup classes, and it was a given we'd be firing, not to mention disassembling and reassembling our M-16's, in the dark, on a timer. As the person with the shortest time I was allowed the honor of firing the M-60 machine gun. FUN!...then I got to clean it, still fun actually. But we still had to press off our freaking fatigues before chow. "Susie Homemakers" indeed!
I served my time and went to college and got my BSN. I had gone in delayed entry, so still had the "real" G.I. Bill, so it was a big help. I was a Registered Nurse for many years, often thinking of returning to the Army, but I wanted stability for my sons so never went back in. I sure wanted to be saluted though...I'm sure you understand, Top. Now with the wars and so many in NEED of me, I'm disabled, and I wish SO much I could be there for those men and women! IT KILLS ME! Life is odd. I OWE Uncle Sam, and I can't repay. It hurts like a mother. A real mother. But I do what I can from here. I have MS and a brain injury from a medication error during surgery so I can't be a nurse any more...but on "clear" days I can write letters and stuff. We took different paths, both via Fort McClellan and Fort Sam by the way (I was trained as a Dental Assistant and became a Company Clerk, ha). I'm glad we both have no regrets. It wasn't popular doing what we did at the time we went in, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. My very best to you and my deepest gratitude for your many years of service! As the military loves to say, OUTSTANDING! Sincerely, BASTIAN, SP4 (Michelle) Dental Company, USA DENTAC Fort Knox, Kentucky (Honorably Discharged and twice promoted early with waiver for meritorious service--made E4 in 18 months in peace time--not too bad given I had to work for a living.) ; )
Comments: Hi Terry, It's been awhile since we connected on Facebook; don't really use it to sty in touch. I'm still kinda an email type and phone. Loved looking at this site. The pictures of your Army life do bring back memories. I had forgotten that Belvoir was your first assignment after AIT. Those were fun days at DeWitt. I must say you don't look all that different from when I knew you back at Belvoir. Older yes , but aren't we all. Anyway, get in touch (y email is posted here for you). Would love to come by and visit and catch up. I'm home from Afghanistan for a while. Say hi to Mike for me. Warmest regards, Angelo
Comments: Hello Terry, I went to basic/AIT at the Mac 1986-87 11th Bat, Delta Can you remember where you took the females to train. Or any female training sites? I am investigating why/where hundreds of females were exposed to CWA's and PCB's. see HR 6238 fort McClellan Health registry Act. Thanks! ps were you in Charlie company next door? I think I've seen you. Aileen
Comments: i did my basic training 5 Oct 1977, at. Fort McClelan Company E, 3rd. Platoon.. It was very nice to read your story.
Comments: Hello MSG Grogan!!! I was conducting a Google Search for something related to veterinary services and happened upon your site. I recently retired after serving twenty years in the US Army Veterinary Corps. The minute that I saw your photos it dawned on me exactly who you were... we crossed paths back when you were visiting our unit in Frankfurt Germany ('91 or '92) as you came to talk to us about operational rations. I was an E-5 at the time and seeing you - a female MSG with a Drill Sergeant patch on your uniform... let me tell you it was very inspiring and the impact that you had on me was tremendous as it gave me much motivation! I went on to earn an Expert Field Medical Badge and although I volunteered to be a drill sergeant just like you I was nabbed with recruiting duty - oh well! I am happy to say that I retired as a First Sergeant and give much credit to female non-commissioned officers such as yourself for serving as excellent role models. Thank you for your service, I am happy that I ran across your site, and I wish you only the best in your future endeavors. In closing, thank you for you service! Sincerely, Sara Castillo (Heer) Retired Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist
Comments: Hi Terry Thought I check your web site out way cool love the dog.
Comments: Love the redesign, the digital images, and personal pics on your site. Great job!! Mark
Comments: Hi Terry Wow! This brought me back to a place I haven't visited in eons. Your career in the Army was what I expected mine to be, but wasn't. I was there March 1976. I got the meanest drill sergeant one could imagine. I already had an AA degree in Criminal Justice and a lot of good job experience. I was also 30 and had just been through a divorce and had to leave my 12 year old son behind with my aging parents. I intended to make a career out of it. I loved the military but they just didn't love me back. I hope today that they work a little more with the human diversity that they accept in there. Being in social work, I saw a failure on their part to work with what they had. They didn't try to work with the problems that some of us brought with us. It seems to be an issue that effects more women than men. Still, it was a great experience and I know God chose right for me, otherwise my path would not have led me to my wonderful husband and 23 year old daughter. I am 62 now and attend Eckerd College for a Creative Writing degree and the rest of my time is spent on advocating to stop the shipping of our beautiful horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Also, trying to pass legislature to protect our wild horses out west. I really enjoyed visiting your site and will check back from time to time. Teri
Comments: Terry, Loved your website. I also did my basic training at Ft. McClellan. On the twenty first of January 1985 I stepped foot on to the "hollowed" grounds of Ft. McClellan. I did my AIT at Ft. Sam Houston, 91E, dental assistant. I was assigned to the 92nd Dentac, Hanau, Germany. I served the entire four years of my miltary career in the Hanau dental clinic. I met a super nice German guy and years later I'm still in Hanau married to the same super nice guy. Thank you for taking the time and creating such a wonderful website. My four years in the Army where wonderful. I met so many nice people and the comaraderie we shared is unforgettable. Jacqueline Jackson-Bröning
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