1-5 Day

C077/K051 

February 21-April 25, 1990

1-5 day. Yeah, the big hazing day. Wait, I can't say that word, so forget I said hazing. But that is pretty much what it is. The inspection and day where no matter what you do, it is wrong. And no matter how SAT you are, you get in trouble.

Now a little side note. I have read here that some of the divisions had pot luck set up for the inspectors. It was almost like a party for them. Hell, I don't blame them one bit. And it makes perfect sense to do it too. This has been backed up by one of my CCs as well. So, to them, it was a good time. 

So, was 1-5 day as horrible as we all remember it? Probably not. Most of us were still in the civilian state of mind, and the Navy was still what we were working toward. Did anyone ever yell at you for not putting 45-degree folds in your sheets before? Or cuss you out because there was a dust bunny on the deck? NO, of course not.

By the time 1-5 day came, we have been in the Navy for like 8-10 days total. And only 4 of those were official days of training. We were ripe for failure.

Our RMAA (Recruit Master At Arms) did an excellent job in the head. He had the Division MAA (Master At Arms)  give him some pointers. He had some of us really get the tiniest details. Same thing in the compartment. The cleaning crew busted major to get it spotless. We spent hours making sure every tiny detail was perfect. Well, we thought we did. 

Our racks and lockers were checked over by many different members of the company. But, it didn't matter. We were going to fail. But, really, that was the point. It was to find those small things we thought we got but didn't. And oh hell, did some people miss some pretty blatant things.

We had the infamous catch edge ghost. I almost laughed at that one. If I recall, we stood at attention, and CC's came in and went to different groups of racks. It seemed like the one we had to inspect my rack mate, and I came on after things were going pretty good.

I remember being inspected and being at attention when the RMAA came around and yelled at us all. Something about he was sick of living in a pigpen, and we had better get it fixed. He did that to everyone. I about laughed at him too.

My rack mate and myself got busted for new gear. I swear we sent it all to laundry, but that's what the inspector found. So, we had to stand with our arms straight out. The offending clothing was draped over our arms, and we have to shout, "New Gear is Dirty Gear!"

I also recall the noise level was rather high, and so was the temperature. There was a good deal of sweat being generated by us new guys. Other members of the company came by and yelled something at us about their infraction.

Of course, the CC's had to walk around and give us an earful about our infractions. I am sure there were some colorful language and a threat about going back to P-Days. Which one yelled at us? Probably both of them in the end.

Now, after a few minutes of holding your arm, straight-out gravity really starts to impact them. So, I devised a ploy to make the inspector take pity on us. I started to mess up what we were saying. I figured they would think we had enough and let us drop our arms. 

Guess what??? It did work. WOW, my idea worked. 

Well, for about 2 seconds. Then we hear 8 count bodybuilders BEGIN!

Damnit, outsmarted by a CC. I am pretty sure they had seen just about every ploy to end a punishment. 

Soon the small group punishments turn into company-wide punishment lead by one of the inspectors. The others spread out and yell at us as we are cycled. The whole inspection maybe lasted 2 hours. Heck, it could have lasted 6 hours for all I know. But, I know its purpose, to get you thinking straight. For me, it was when I actually started to feel a tiny bit of being a sailor. Hell, we had a long way to go, but we were moving that way.
 

After the inspectors thought we had enough, the Division Master Chief came in. He might have been in before this. But, we had that simple test to pass. Jumping jacks and everyone claps on the 5^th one. All in a single file line. Half of the company facing the other half. We did pretty well until 15. And it took us a few tries at that. Then we messed up at 20 a few times. Finally 25!!!!!

We had made it! Yes! I was half expecting to have one of the inspectors go around and say to each of us, "Your new Delta Tau Chi name is…." (Sorry trying to be funny!)

Our company boom box was used for the first time that day. We heard Lee Greenwood, "God Bless The U.S.A." a few times. Now, I am going to admit, it was emotional. Yes, I said it, it was emotional. I did cry. I know a bunch of the guys did. We all joined the Navy for our own reasons, but we all joined the Navy. Some members of the Company had long tenures in the Navy. Some did their initial enlistment and left. Others, like myself, had their careers cut short because of medical.

Now, I am not sure if I am overly nostalgic or dramatic about this, but that day was important to everyone. Face it, we were far from being sailors at the time. Like I said before, we had 4 actual training days before that. We still had 7 weeks to go. But, that day helped get our heads moving where we needed to move.

Looking back at all my remembrances, I have them way out of order. I need an editor for my thoughts, I guess. Anyway, enjoy, and let's get some 1-5 memories going.

I could not find the picture I wanted, so let's give the ladies some love.
I always want to add, I love reading the comments. It is great to hear everyone's experiences. There are some funny stories out there!