"In writing about this memoir theauthor had this to say shortly before it's"Literally millions of infantrymen/women went through BasicTraining before the war ended. None willever forget it. Only those who actuallywent on to fight in battle experienced anything tougher while in uniform. I believe their more fortunate infantry comrades , like myself, who did not see combat would agreethat infantry Basic Training was by far the most challenging thing they facedas soldiers.Part I is comprised of mypersonal basic training history and, although it is in no way remarkable, Ibelieve it has value because it is representative of the experience of millionsof infantrymen trained for battle in installations across the nation. It describes what Basic Training was like forothers, in addition to myself, who went through it.Part II relates what happened tome after completing basic training when the war ended. It is even more personal than Part I anddetails the profound effect military service during WW II had on my life thenand perhaps suggests how Infantry Basic Training molded and changed the livesof countless others.""
