The Army Saga, Part 2

Note: This is an on-going entry for the next few days. I?ll try to detail what my experience was at 14 when I intern?d at an Army Recruiting Office in Morristown, TN. I hope it?s as intersting as I remember it.

The morning of my first day I was nervous, as to be expected. I had never worked for anyone. Hell, I barely got along with my sister and of course suffered the same ill will that all teenagers perceive from their parents. The thought of new authority was not exactly welcomed.

But I thought of the money and pushed those thoughts from my head. The idea of income was simply blissful, and besides, how hard could it be?

I walked in and was greeted by the guys who worked there. Of course, over ten years later I can?t remember their names, but let?s assign the most prominent one a name. We?ll call him Benny. Benny was a shaved head, skinny, short guy who was by far the coolest of the bunch (and the bunch consisted of the Sergeant Major who ran the place and 4 recruiters). He told dirty jokes and would drive me to McDonalds.

But I?m getting ahead of my myself. The thing that sticks in my mind most about the first day was The Signature.

You see, having been raised by the same TV as everyone else, I was sure that Adults (with a capital A) never signed their name. Sure they would on checks and things, as my mother did innumerable times, but when it came to important stuff, it was all about the X.

?Son,? the Sergeant Major said he sat down in his office, ?I want you to know what?s expected of you for the next six weeks.? He then went on to explain that I would be answering phones and stamping brochures and pamphlets with the office?s address. That?s it? I thought to myself, and then realized why these summer jobs were so lauded and smiled.

?I just need you to sign here for the official paperwork,? he said, and handed me a pen.

I promptly took the pen and made a big black X where he pointed.

I put the pen down, and he stared at me. After a moment he said ?I need you sign this.?

Why did I do that? What, you?ve never seen some important doctor or lawyer or other Important Person in a movie or TV show simply put an ?X? where their signature supposed to go? Because I sure did, and believed it whole heartedly. Grown-ups don?t sign their names on important documents, I assured myself, but then began to think twice. I almost, almost got out the words ?I just did.? before I stopped at the beginning of just.

?I ju?.okay,? I said, and scribbled my name down. He gave me another long ?Who in the hell is this kid? look, and I just smiled sheepishly.

In the upcoming two-part finale (on Thursday and Friday?tomorrow is the Fam Update), prepare yourself for a brush with the law and a voyage into the art of thievery.

Update: Read Part 3

Maureen
You don?t know what you do to me

Tags: Army Recruiting Office Morristown TN 14 Job Military Signature Sergeant Major