Stress Cards
Johnny was excited. He had just left the recruiting office where he had
enlisted in the Army.
This was something he had wanted to do since he was a boy. The Army was
a long-standing tradition for the men in Johnny's family.
Johnny came home to tell his dad about the enlistment and found him and
his uncle sitting in the backyard cooking out and having a beer.
"I just got back from the recruiting station," Johnny said. "I enlisted
and ship off to basic training in two weeks."
"What job did you get?" asked Johnny's uncle Mike.
"I'm going to be a forward observer for the Field Artillery."
"So you will be at Fort Sill, just like your dad."
" Yes, sir, I will."
Johnny's dad James chimed in, "Yeah, but we didn't have those pansy
little stress cards like they do now days. Back in my day it was a hell
of a lot harder. You kids now have it easy."
"What are you talking about? I've never heard anything about that,”
said Mike.
"Oh yeah, I was at the barber shop the other day and he was telling me
that Bob's kid was at basic and they have these stress cards now. If
your drill sergeant rubs you the wrong way and your poor little
feelings get hurt, all you have to do is pull the card out of your
pocket and he has to leave you alone for ten minutes. If you ask me,
the Army is going down hill. Stress is part of what they are supposed
to be learning. You have to be mentally tough."
"Dad, you’re so full of it. There's no such thing, uncle Mike."
"I don't know, Johnny. I can believe it. Besides, why would Bob lie?
Face it, Johnny, today's boys aren't as tough as we were back in the
old days."
"Well I'll just have to see for myself, when I get there.”
"I guess so. I am sure you will have a good time. I had the best time
of my life in basic training,” said James. “It was tough, but it was a
great experience. I made a few really good friends and learned a lot
about myself. I know you will do the same, and with the stress cards I
don’t worry about you getting too upset about getting yelled at,” said
James.
"Whatever."
"Hey, James, do you remember your first few days at basic?" asked Mike.
"You remember all of those shots and medical screenings and crap they
put us through back then? I wonder if it’s still the same today or if
they have that easier too."
"Oh, I’m sure everything is easier.
I hope they still give the saltpeter shot, ‘cause with this younger,
softer group of boys, there may be some extracurricular activities
going on in the barracks."
"Hahaha, you know that’s right," said Mike.
A little upset, Johnny responded, "First of all, you know better than
that; second of all, what are you talking about? What is saltpeter?"
"It’s a shot that they give you to… well, let’s just your first morning
there… will be a little different than your mornings here."
Author's Note: I enjoyed telling this story. It reminds me of the trash
I talk to the young guys going to basic now. I have actually had this
conversation with a guy who was going to basic training. I was the old
guy telling him how easy they had it now, due to the stress cards. It's
all in good fun. Johnny will soon find out if the legend is true. He
will also find out if the legend of the saltpeter is true. This is sort
of a rite of passage in the military. I went through it with my dad and
uncles. I still get stuff from the older guys in the military, and I
give it to the younger guys. This story is told by men from older
generations all the time. They tell the story to show just how tough
they had it, and how things have gotten easier in recent years. The
truth is that all of it is hard and although we talk a lot of trash to
each other we all respect the fact that the choice to enlist was
made. It doesn't matter if it is the older guys or the younger
ones, we all made the choice to support and defend the Constitution of
the United States of America. I hope you enjoyed reading this story, as
much as enjoyed telling it.
Coverpage
Introduction
II. Saltpeter
III.
Last Man
Image Information: Drill Sergeant Yelling (2009) Web Source: The
Atlantic
Stress
Card
Kit (2009) Web Source: Zazzle
Story Title: Stress Card
Author: Barbara Mikkelson
Website Name: Snopes.com
Web Source: stress
card
story
