I Started my 4 years active Army at Fort Dix in E-1-3 for Basic Training May 1972. It was 50 years ago and yet I still remember my training and such like it was yesterday. We were all a bunch of youngsters back then when we were all wearing Olive Drab and thought we were invincible and going to live forever. I'd give almost anything to do it all over again.
I may have slowed down a bit but my zest for life is still running 110%. I wish I was as smart back then as I am now. Then if I had the notion, I could have ruled the world. I was always happy with country living and never had a thirst for much more. The outdoors has always given me all I've ever needed or wanted.
To all of you who have passed through Ft Dix at one time or another. And to the one's who are still passing through there or living there. Thank you for your service and thank you for continuing to fight for our freedom And welcome home May God bless you and your families.
@@SouthernCountryLiving thank you for your reply. I meant every word from my heart. I hope more people read what I wrote. You and your family have a good week also.
Went through Basic Training there in the Winter of '73-'74, Echo-5-3 Damn it gets cold in New Jersey. From Washington (the State) farthest I'd ever been from home. Thanks for the pics. 👍
This is amazing photos of Ft. Dix, 1971 thanks so much for these great memories. My husband did his basic here in 1968 , and our son did his here 1989 . Great place to see again ,so long ago but seems like only yesterday Thanks so much for posting alot of good memories were made here. God bless
I had my Basic at Ft Dix from Jan - Mar of 1977. I was in Alpha 3-3. I remember that saloon off base in Wrightstown where I went on my first weekend pass with about 4 other guys. That Pizza! I still remember the taste, and I have NEVER found pizza that tasted as good anywhere!
Went there for Basic June of 1977. Still remember forced marches with full pack in the sand. Was tough but I would not trade the experience for anyting.
BCT AUG/SEP 71 - My graduation book is the same format...then off to the sunny and exotic paradise of Tigerland with the wake-up call of Peason Ridge. Chuckles now, blisters then. lol Good video!
I might have only been an U.S. Army dependent but my Flag still flys for freedom and for all those who have lived and died for that same freedom. Thank you all for your service and welcome home.
You should put the Theme from Patton with this picture show. I went through Basic Training at Ft Dix in 1972. It was where I picked up the two pack a day cigarette habit I've had ever since from those little mini-packs of cigarettes they used to put in C-rations. The most painful experience I recall there was having to hold up a pair of socks for about an hour when they first issued us uniforms.
I went though Ft Dix in November 1962 in an Overseas Shipping Company on the way to Turkey. Myself and three other guys were en route to Sinope, Turkey. The three guys make it to Sinope for a 12 month tour, but I ended up in Ankara Turkey , Capitol city for an 18 month tour of duty. There are a lot of stories to tell about our 10 days in Ft Dix.
Shame there are no photos of the wooden barracks and the induction center. Our platoon pulled kp on thanksgiving day 1971. Most likely because half our platoon was made up of older national guard guys.
I WAS AT FORT DIX NEW JERSEY ON MAY 21ST 1971 , I JUST TURNED 17 ON MAY 16 1971,,,,,,,,BASIC WAS HELL. BUT, I MADE IT THROUGH AND WAS SHIPPED OUT TO GERMANY INSTEAD OF VIET NAM. I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
I took basic twice at Dix 1956 & 1963 due to a four year break in service. Knew the ropes 2nd time. Parked my car in Wrightstown. Showed up with a basic Airborne wings sewn on my fatigues. Cadre initially raised hell, but after showing the DD Form 214 they actually bragged about me. Retired 18 years later as a major. It was a great life.
My Battalion XO Forever Major Davis^^ to me started out before he went to Viet Nam as a Private E-Nothing out of the Corn Fields of iowa and decades later Retired as an 0-6 Colonel with a Masters Degree because he used to always bellow, "if You Don't Blow Your Own Horn.. Someone Will Use it As A Spittoon!!"😁
Ft.Dix Basic Jan 1972. Drill Sergeant was Oscar McNight. Also completed AIT there as well, then on to Kaiserslautern, Germany. My Draft Lottery number was 4.
I loved watching it. I was there from February1 through March 1971. As I do not recall my Basic Training Unit and I did not see myself, I might have recognized (or at least wanted to) a few guys, ...but that was 50 years ago. I recall a huge blizzard for several days as we marched to and from the rifle ranges, and a General who tapped me on the helmet at the firing line to inquire of my status during the cold weather, and the razzing I took from the other 'trainees' because I said I was 'ok' and did not tell him 'like it was' as they viewed their circumstances. We had many 'trainees' there who were war protestors and who later received general or dishonorable discharges in protest to the Vietnam War. Thanks for the memories. How did you get these pictures?
Thanks for watching. I went there in Sept. 1971. I also have trouble remembering a lot of details but I do have a few good and bad memories from there. I loved going to the firing range. The pictures came from the book that I have from basic training. It's like a yearbook. Have a great week, Calvin
I did my time here at C-5-3 and then on to AIT in Fort Lost in the woods, Missouri. Hated that place, miserable joint, then onward and downward to Vietnam, where i did two tours, because i wanted to. I enlisted in the Army and volunteered to go to Nam. Never thought i would come back, but i really never thought i would see the day that i would want to go back to the land of the 24 hour war. I ended up liking it over there. I think now, i should have stayed there for good. I past through here in Feb 1970.
Thanks very much Roger. I received the medallions from you and I showed them on our Sunday Chat this week. That was very kind of you to send those to me.
Took my basic & AIT training at Fort Dix in 1971. Only have us a 2 week leave befote shipping us to Nam. Was a great place. Open base with no guards at entrance so you could go home in civilian clothes.
I study at Middlesex county college which apparently was another military base in NJ for WW2 and before. But by the 60 s it became what is today a college.
Are rosters available anywhere? Did basic here (E-2-3) Jul 71 but have no copy of orders to AIT ( Ft Gordon, GA). It would be great to see a roster if available.
Bravo 3-3 March 30th 1972 I am trying to find out the height of the 3 pier tower that has a thick rope from the top to the ground at a 40-50 degree angle. They wanted Me to grab the rope and go hand over hand until they said to let go and fall to the ground that had 3 feet of saw dust or whatever they used to prevent impact damage back then. I just watched a funny video about people not wanting to jump from a 10 meter tower and I felt that the top tier I jumped off of was 30 feet high.
My pop was a Drill Sgt. at Dix, in 72, I believe. I was born at Walson Army Hospital in 76. My ma was a nurse at the hospital. Fast forward to 1993, I did reserve time there prior to going active duty at Ft. Bragg.
My basic training here was in late November 1972. Fresh out of high school I was a 110 pound weakling but the chow was great especially the Shit on a Shingle (SOS) which turned me into a 135 pound 🤣lean, mean, fighting machine!
I was in Bravo 2-10 the last year Ft. Dix conducted Basic Training, 1988. I've been looking for old stock photos of the recruit barracks. I remember what everything looked like with a 30 year haze to my memory, but I don't even remember what the intersecting street names were around the compound. Anyone else recall them, so I can pinpoint the location on the google map of Dix?
I got that one when I was in basic training. I don't know how you could get an old one. You might check with a lot of used bookstores and possibly eBay. Thanks for watching, have a great day.. Calvin
Is there anyone there, 4th Tng Regt.. Alpha Co. Fort Dix Feb. 1964. Jim Gross, Iou Iosue, Mike Brennan, Jerry Johnson, George Lafferty, are any of you guysthere ?
Anyone out there who participated in BCT at Fort Dix remember what WETSU stands for? I use it everyday when I run into a difficult situation and overcome the opportunity to fail. I also used to sing the delayed cadence count and the prettiest girl I ever saw sipping bourbon through a straw or Here we go we’re at it again movin out movin in,to my kids and grandkids . My beautiful daughter still remembers the song. Back in the day when I ran road races when I hit the wall I would sing these cadence songs and would subdue the pain amazing what BCT can get you through best training ever thank you PSG Smith, DI SSG MARTIN and DI SSG Miller Bravo Bravo WETSU.
