Ardennes was a proving ground……. An essay by William Marshall

No walking on Ardennes between 0630 and 0730, if you did, you heard about it.  Ardennes was a proving ground for us.  We ran Area J, we ran Longstreet for the Division run but for the most part we ran Ardennes.  I grew up on Ardennes. There we times when we brawled with our brothersContinue reading “Ardennes was a proving ground……. An essay by William Marshall”

Whose to blame (Your life matters to me)………… An essay by William Marshall

Most of us have been touched by suicide. If you haven’t, it will come. It is particularly confusing to us when we watch our mentors, our leaders succumb to some crazy call to end their lives. It always makes me look at myself. Look inward. Try to place blame on……. On……… I guess I haveContinue reading “Whose to blame (Your life matters to me)………… An essay by William Marshall”

Cherryyyyyyyy!!!!!! An essay by William Marshall

The Cherryyyyyyyy just seemed to go on and on.  In my world of the 82nd, if you dropped something in the mess hall, fumbled your weapon, messed up just a little somehow, and you heard it from your buddies……. Cherryyyyy!!!@@@@ AATW!

You are always right………. An essay by William Marshall

It is easier for me to see now.  You are always right.  No matter who you are, where you are, what your are doing, where you have been……… you know deep inside, that you are right. That you have been right.  You might have gotten some bad outcomes, mistakes could have been made, errors occurred. Continue reading “You are always right………. An essay by William Marshall”

Advanced Airborne School History

Advanced Airborne SchoolThe Advanced Airborne School maintains the readiness of the 82nd Airborne Division by preserving the ability to deploy anywhere in the world in 18 hours by either an airborne or airland assault. It trains selected personnel in Jumpmaster, Air Movement and Basic Airborne Techniques. It also advises and assists unit Commanders in theContinue reading “Advanced Airborne School History”

One of the scariest briefings ever……… An essay by William Marshall

Hi, I’m SGT Marshall, today I will be administering your JMPI exam.  You have three jumpers, two Hollywood, one Combat equipment, they are configured, Hollywood, Combat Equipment, Hollywood.  You task is to inspect the jumpers using proper sequence and technique.  When you find a deficiency you must call it off, using proper nomenclature and ifContinue reading “One of the scariest briefings ever……… An essay by William Marshall”

18 hours away…… An essay by William Marshall

I spent a significant portion of my life 18 hours away from death. If not mine, someones. Someone was dying if I got the call. When I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, I spent years of my life 18 hours away from somebody’s death. Maybe it was mine. Maybe I had to kill someoneContinue reading “18 hours away…… An essay by William Marshall”

Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, “Statues” of Limitations……. An essay by William Marshall

Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, Statues of Limitations……. An essay by William MarshallThere are so many things that wonder about.  What was the real truth?  We had a drowning, a suicide, lost equipment, found equipment in the weirdest of places.  We had a Soldier stealing from the Supply Room.  1SG Hilton said his momContinue reading “Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, “Statues” of Limitations……. An essay by William Marshall”

But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William Marshall

But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William MarshallI got the call shortly after midnight, Soldier in jail, in Raleigh.  As of midnight, I was the new platoon Sergeant.  The old Platoon Sergeant hadn’t left, he had just asked not to be the Platoon Sergeant anymore.  He was the CommoContinue reading “But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William Marshall”