Got the day in the chamber with 'real teargas' and a mask when I went thru basic at laffland .. but that was awhile ago and durin that lil fiasco in Southeast Asia.
I got my draft notice 2 weeks into basic ..wasnt funny *then* because I didnt know the Army couldnt just come an get me ..LOL)
We also used the 'real' M-16 rounds when we qualified, not the .22 conversion.. kicks just a little harder, still a sweetheart to shoot with.
I went in with 3 from Phoenix, we all ended up in the same flight.. the other two dint make it.
Was ironic the guy who kept sayin it was 'just a game' got so intense into it that the pressure got him.
I mean he just freaked out one night screamin 'he couldnt take it anymore' and wanted the heck OUT!
I dunno .. I thought it was pretty damn easy.
Did the best I could, knew my right from left, didn't sweat the small stuff.
Only truly dangerous moment was my 'element leader' ..short black guy from Chicago with a big mouth, decided to ride the tall skinny guy from Phx.
He wrote me up every time for socks not bein folded 'right' or some such.. at 7 writeups you were automatically sent back a week.
I wasn't havin any of that, mk thx.
I told him if he wrote me up again, I *would* punch him out right in front of the TI.. automatic setback for both involved.. shrugged my shoulders, told him it was his call .. go for it.
Part of 'people skills' 101 .. everything is negotiable

-Frank aka GE
(good luck ..pay attention, do the best you can, settle the hash of any that want to 'ride' you one way or the other ..do NOT go to the TI ..they dont wanna HEAR it, Airman! ..it goes by FAST .. spare time is at a premium!)