Basic training  began at Camp Pickett, and for me included Army Clerk School, lots of marching, and very little free time.  I arrived at camp as a raw recruit along with several hundred other men. At a formation held in the first week we were asked if any of us could touch-type, and those who could were accepted for Clerk School. In addition to attending Clerk School, we learned first aid, close-order drill, did calisthenics  and lots of marching. The staff of non-commissioned officers was in place for training sessions of 10 weeks duration.  These men were from the eastern part of the country; the first sergeant was from New York City.  At every chance the non-coms would be collecting money for some cause.  Most of us gave what we could which was not much because our pay was only $20.00 a month.  One time we gave to decorate the day room which we never saw because they had us busy day and night in training.  Another time the 1st Sgt's dog was sick and they collected money so he could take the dog to a vet in Richmond, Virginia.  We complained to each other, but we didn't know how to make a formal complaint "through channels" as you are expected to do when you are a private.  However, someone must have gotten our message to a higher authority, because when I arrived at Fort Benning, my immediate "buck sergeant" arrived there with no stripes; he had been "busted" along with the rest of the crew at Pickett.

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