In Basic Training, we usually went everywhere in double-time. That was the Army's way to jog somewhere in formation. It also wasn't unusual for our drill sergeant to have us double-time somewhere and then we'd have to wait.
Hence, the expression: hurry up and wait.
And don't you just love the picture of me? I'm holding a gas mask. We were practicing how quickly we could put them on and get them properly sealed.
The hair was kind of an accident. lol I got a perm because I thought it'd be easier to care for. I totally forgot about having to wear a hat anytime we went outside. And the top of the perm didn't take well.
Unfortunately, we had to wear an Army baseball cap whenever we went outdoors. Which, of course, as soon as I took my hat off, made my hair on top stand at attention.
One morning, I overslept and had to hurry to get in formation to head to the mess hall. I just put my hat over my curlers. It wouldn't matter because our company policy was to wear our hats in the mess hall.
But, this day was different, I discovered. Not all of us had gone home for Christmas, and this was the first meal with us in what was called the Christmas Company and included members from all five companies in our battalion.
And we had a different company commander in charge--who had different hat rules! This commander wanted us to remove our hats while we ate.
Just so you know. Wearing pink curlers was not considered being in uniform. As soon as I took off my hat, I'd be busted.
Since I didn't have to remove my hat until I sat down, I spent 45 minutes working my way through the long chow line and then simply passed by the serving line (and all that food). I left the the building and returned to our barracks.
No breakfast, but I also didn't get in trouble.
