Change Title Today!

Today Special Ops8013 decided to change the title to "The Adventures of a Modern Warrior". With that SpecialOp will make comments of a personal nature.
Of course the comments box is a open area where we hope you will comment.

No postings have been made for sometime but we will continue on from today. Perhaps not every day but consistent postings. Give your comments.

XI. Yeah Man, No, Yeman !

Note: Scroll down to introduction..

This is the flag of The Republic of Yeman:

One of the most confusing months of 8013's career.

Twice a week for one hour each time he was discussing what the Army Intelligence was about and highlighting the post WWII history in Asia. USSR's progress in China, North Korea, Vietnam and many other countries. This was 99% new information to the audience of the First Cav, Division soldiers. Very few questions were asked but they paid attention. This was not easy for 8013 as his vocabulary was rather poor. Such as "skinny roads" for narrow ones. A Sgt. worked with him nearly every day.

A note here. Past history is not part of the local personnel records. Only the military history.

His training included non-authorized weapons. There were talks on different cultures in Asia and the Middle East. Emphasis was on Yeman. 8013 was ordered to grow a beard and to die his hair and beard black. This not puzzled 8013 but scared him. At 17 can he grow a beard? Actually, it grew in slow but ok. All members of his team were doing the same. They were issued civilian clothing also. Yes, his team is going to Yeman. One member can speak the language and another one Russian. Team work drill was given over and over by the Commander, First Sgt. and others. Each member had special procedures and functions. They learned how to exit a helicopter from different heights such as 10,15,2o feet or so. With all of their personal gear. 8013 had this type of trainin Intelligence School. Everything in double time. None of this is what 8013 anticpated what he would be doing.

Yemen is in the Middle East, in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Arabian Sea, it quite a large country. At 527,970 km² (203,837 sq mi), Yemen is the world's 49th-largest country (after France). It is comparable in size to Thailand, and somewhat larger than the U.S. state of California. Yemen is situated at 15°N 48°E / 15°N 48°E / 15; 48.

Back to the term "Special Operations." This type of assignment and deployment is the beginning of renewed use of the designation that will be become much more refined by the Defense Department and the various branches. There were very few, if any, deployments of this type prior to this. Occassionly small specialized units would be organized for a specific mission and removed when it was completed. This is not in the planning fir Company F.

X. A Strange Place: Strange Events

Note: New to blogging: Go to Introductory menu
is down the right side. Chapters follow.


Strange place and strange events is an excellent title for SpecialOps8013 entry into a permanent assignment in the US Army. He flew from Florida to Travis Air Force Base in California to Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. He was picked up there by the Military Police as escorted a short distance to Camp Drake. Some 15 miles or so from Tokyo. Very strange and unusual surroundings on the trip to the Camp. He thought the state of Ohio must be very popular in Japan as many stores and places were called Ohio.

The photo is Camp Drake when 8013 arrived. Ohio means morning in Japanese.

Once on Camp Drake and settled into the barracks things were more normal. His assigned Company F was organized differently then the usual infantry company. Instead of 4 platoons there were 4 12 man teams. Each 12 man team consisted of 2 6 man teams. Each 12 man team had 2 team leaders. The 6 man teams had one leader. There were all Airborne. They were the only company in the Division manned this way.

This was an infantry division supported with tanks. Some of the noncommissioned and offiicers were veterans of WWII fighting in the Pacific theater. To say the least the paratroopers looked and acted different then the rest. They bloused their boots a certain way. Always looked sharp and stood tall. Their marching and walking was different. To the regulars they looked like "show offs". This caused problems at times with the other soldiers.

Company F was formed about 60 days prior to 8013's arrival. This is a detached unit but very attached right now. The newly arrived men, like 8013, do not quite understand what "detached" means but they are about to find out. Oh! and the Company Commander, a Captain has a beard and so do several Sergeants. 8013 or none of the others ever saw anyone in uniform before with a beard. So the title of this chapter is appropriate.

After a few days 8013 was told to report to the Company Commander. After reporting in with the usual salute and stuff the Commander asked him to sit down. The Commander introduced himself with general and personal information. Of course, for 8013 this was so unusual. Officers were a way up there. He asked 8013 if thought he could go to the regular unit's training sessions and explain what he learned at Intelligence School. Including what he knew about the Middle East and Russia in Asia. 8013 had a hard time saying "yes, sir". When the Commander said "thank you, Sgt Hopper will explain more to you" 8013 saluted, did an about face and walked out in a daze. His brain was going full speed with thoughts of "can I stand up there and talk?" and "Do I know anything?" "I talk in a dumb way like "skinny roads" instead of "narrow" ones.

Note: Not familiar with the military. No one since the Civil War grew beards. This is to go on assignment in the Middle East area. Also wearing civilian clothing instead of uniforms. The Commanding Officer would almost never offer a seat to a newly assigned Soldier. Military protocol comes first. This is a new concept of having personnel become highly trained team members. Team work was always emphasized somewhat but this is to be a proficient team member.

IX Survivor Training Before Departure For Overseas

Note: First time here: Go to the Menu down the right side and click on I.Introduction for the first Chapter. The others follow.

Prior to his departure to Japan 8013 will go to the Army Survivor's Training in Florida. He will be deployed shortly after graduation from the Intelligence School. It is seven days. Two days of training and five days in the field. This is in the large swamp area that Florida is famous for. Of course, he has had an introduction to this in basic and Paratrooper training. The two days are highly concentrated on recognizing edible plants, animals, and insects. He will haw to prepare the objects to be eaten, usually raw. Several monitors will be checking on them periodically. The main purpose of this difficult training is to prepare the soldier for unusual circumstances. Such as being behind enemy lines, isolated in enemy territory, unable to locate his unit for some time or in a aircraft accident. Anytime he might have to live off of the land. Not all Army personnel have this extensive field training.

SpecialOps8013 will be assigned to Company F ABN, First Calvary Division. He will be going to the headquarters at Camp Drake some 20 miles from Tokyo, Japan. It is uncertain and unlikely that he will remain there. Where he might go: Somewhere in Asia or the Middle East. This is a new organization and not the typical Infantry manning. instead of platoons there are 12 man teams divided into 2 six man teams. It is a very mobile unit. Geared up to be ready for departure on a moments notice.The entire company or one or more teams may be deployed. This is one of the newest Special Operations units. Movement orders will usually come from the Pentagon.

The Pentagon is the Defense Department's headquarters. The Secretary of Defense, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Marine Corp all located here. The Marines are under the Navy. The Coast Guard is under the Transportation Department in peacetime and the Navy in Wartime. There is one Commander in Chief that manages the military. In a corporation they would be the CEO and Division managers. They are responsible for command regulations, readiness, equipment and supplies. They do not directly control and command units in the field except for what is known as Special Operations. With Special Operations they tend to have a more hands on function and communicate directly with the senior commanders. It is rare that the Secretary of Defense gets involved in direct field operations. The commanders in the field are in charge of their respective units. Pentagon officials may inspect the field operations occasionally.

Special Operations is a term we will be referring to frequently as we move along. Basically it refers to any operation that is not normal or expected. It maybe or maybe not particularly new or unusual. Usually it requires some unusual preparations and/or manpower. The duration may be long or short. In general it usually is something out pf the ordinary. For example, if a Army was deployed to assist the Air Force or do something the Air Force usually does this would be unusual and special. Special is not used lightly in the military.

Chapter VIII. Informational Interlude

VIII. Informational Interlude

Many of you know some of the world history between 1945 to 1950. I am going to attempt to make short paragraphs to cover the pertinent history.

US Army underwent a complete demobilization and reformation. The Army Air Force was disbanded and the United States Air Force was mobilized as a separate organization. Not under the Army command. African Americans were desegregated. They were segregated into their own units and now personnel joined regular units. Recruitment was at a very low point. Military supply channels were short of nearly all essential and non-essential equipment. Military readiness was at a low ebb.

On the political front the major countries joined the United Nations or UN as it became known. The purpose was to prevent wars from erupting. Hugh hopes were placed on this organization. All of the major countries joined.

Now on the world political front the USSR or as we know it now was very aggressive. Before and during the war they recruited Communist representatives in major countries in Europe, Asia and the United States. They were very successful in Asia and Eastern Europe.

Our main concern is Asia at this time. USSR Agents were placed in China and Korea. The existing government with Chang Kai Chek fought the Communist. However they lost and Mao became leader of China. Korea is a border country south of China. USSR had great influence in the north above the 39Th parallel. There was an attempt for the United States and the USSR jointly occupy the north. However, this failed and eventually the country was divided into a North and South. Korea had been occupied by Japan for 40 years.

In the middle of this something called the Sputnik was launched with talk of space travel to the moon by the USSR. The US space program was lagging without proper budget allocations. In the middle of all of the above turmoil this news caused havoc within our government.

Let us close here and generalize the practical implications for the United States and the Army in particular in our next blog. Our older reader will recall much of this.

Note: Are there any questions ? Wish to discuss any part of this generalized info. If so, make a comments with your Email address. Do you understand why they are forming free floating companies attached to Divisions for support. It is necessary to understand the above to understand Company Fabn's and 8013's new assignment.

VI I. New Assignment Pending

Chapter VI I. New Assignment Pending: Detached Operating Unit:
First Calvary Division: Company C Abn.

This is a very confusing assignment for 8013 and the clerks and officers assigning him. The Commanding Officer explains why an airborne trooper is being assigned to a non-airborne unit. The Army is going through tremendous changes, This is a very famous division whose history is almost as old as the country itself. It was in the Pacific with General MacArthur. It is now in Japan. 8013 could end up in any Asian country.

Note: We will discuss some of the world affairs that prompts the changes taking place at a later date.Ok, to take the mystery away.

8013 is assigned to F Company, Abn. which is designated to be a Detached Operating Company. If and when Rangers are reactivated members of this unit will be designated as Rangers. The Company will have its own Commanding Officer and unit officers. It is assigned to the division for support. The Company's component staffing will be airborne. Operationally the Company may function quite far away from the Division beyond the scope and command of the division. F Company will be manned by specialist in their MOS assignments.

Intense training is in store for newly assigned troopers. For one who has never served in the military it difficult to imagine what it is quite like. Like having one's choices intensely reduced or removed. Such as going to Japan without an opportunity to say "I wanted to go to Europe" and be heard. No answer at this time to "When am I going?" or by boat or fly ? or "Where in Japan?" and so on. Even as orders are being cut much renains unknown. Oh! word has just leaked out that 8013 enlisted for 3 years some weeks ago. Only a few knew it.

Note: As mentioned above in our next post we will explain the fast pace of changes in Asia and Eastern Europe since the close of WWII. Also the scope of the Russian space exploration development. Part of the Cold War has been Russian efforts to create allies among nations
and the United States' effort to hamper Russia's efforts. Also the USA is attempting to develop new allies and have stronger ties with older ones. We will see that the Cold War has changed forever the political map of the world. Much of this is happening without cooperating with other nations nor the United Nations.

Posted by anonymous at 12:40 PM

VI. The Army Military Intelligence (MI)

The Army's Military Intelligence (MI) specialist is responsible for all intelligence gathered or learned during Army missions. MI Specialists are always out front, providing essential intelligence data and in many cases saving Soldiers' lives who are fighting in exposed areas or need air strikes to give them the advantage. During your AIT you will learn the skills associated with gathering intelligence from different sources. Depending on your Army job, you will learn to collect intelligence from human subjects through interview or gather intelligence from digital sources like photographs taken from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Also to order a Navy or Army aircraft to monitor a specific target area. The student will also learn how to prepare his intelligence findings and to report them to his superiors and know how his findings fit within larger missions. The students also learn how to rappel out of chopper. 8013 will have a military speciality that will benefit him greatly.

Only a handful of people are selected right out of basic. It may have to with manning the new detached companies and a total reorganization. Also, it is very unusual for the soldier does not have a commitment to the Army. He must be talking about a three year enlistment. 8013 probably has no idea of all of this. He must be in somewhat of a daze. He left home less then 6 months ago.

No doubt he will be assigned to a Special Operations unit. In the post WWII years there was a lot of discussion about expanding Special Ops. He is very young and has a history of being irresponsible. However, the fact that he completed basic jump training with shining colors speaks well for him. There are rumors that he was selected for two reasons. They need trained personnel. 2. There is a rumor that he scored high on the Military Intelligence Test when he entered the Army.

Ten weeks went rather fast 8013 is at the top of his class and received a promotion to Corporal.
That is 3 pay grades above Private. Someone has recognized his potential. Lets hope he avoids the common downfall of becoming too cocky. There is a lot to learn out there in the practical world.

His new assignment is about to be announced. There is some administrative confusion as he is going into a newly form unit. His unit will be detached from an Army division where it will receive support. There are plans to reinstate Ranger units but there is no approval yet. Ranger units were disbanded at the close of WWII.

Note: 1000s of draftees have gone home leaving vacancies. Only a minority enlisted.

V. Next Assignment: Intelligence School

VI. Next Stop: US Army Intelligence School, Fort Holabird, Md.

The photo above happens to be the Officer's Club. During his stay here 8013 will be

treated as an individual rather then as a group member. The studies will be difficult but interesting. There will be many components such as Infantry field intelligence operations to learn how to gather information on the known enemy. He will learn how to gather information from the world news and other sources. He will well versed in covert actions by other countries as well as our own. He will have an excellent introduction to what is generally termed spook intelligence. He may have an opportunity to return for advanced training .

All of this is at the basic level at this time. In the future if all goes well he will have opportunies for advanced training. He will learn about counter intelligence operations conducted by the military as well as the CIA. In the future he may well be assigned to work closely with the CIA and or foreign military operations. Generally. his assignments will be as a Ranger as it looks like they will reactivated. He will be part of the unit's intelligence team. The team advises the commander as he makes battle plans. What to expect as to the weapons, tactics, capability and assets of the enemy forces. This is termed recon for reconnaissance. The battle training is very active and difficult. Reconnaissance or as the jargon "Recon" is a skill that 8013 will master as soon as possible. This is where the enemy is observed in every way possible so as to penatrate and report key information to the commander. The key here is to observe while not being observed.

Quite a skill to develop.

This ten weeks is a mere introduction so the the students have the basics to proceed to the master level. His teachers all have vast experience and are highly skilled. Not all of the training will be in the classroom. Much of it will in the field. If not immediately it is predictable that he will be assigned overseas rather soon. If you were to ask him why overseas he will give you state of affairs in the world. These ten weeks will go fast. He will graduate as an Intelligence Specialist.

For a moment glance back over his history. He is a trained infantryman, a trained paratrooper and now has the basics of an intelligence observer. This is the guy who joined up because he hated school. Life goes off in funny directions some times. At a very young age he had illusions of living in the mountains forever. He is not what psychologists call a "loner", however, it often was his choice to alone. Not just to be alone but in certain circumstances. He did not have to have people around him for comfort. Perhaps his father was somewhat the same.

IV. Must Win Those Wings NOW!

Photo above is jumping with a static line. Static means hooked up.

Like reaching for a star in the sky. Fear is a part of the game. In the whole history of Fort Benning there have been few injuries or deaths. Ok, that is good to know.

Does it help?

No. not much. 8013 had an intense fear of flying and falling. He was never in a plane before. This procedure is where you are hooked up and the chute opens for you. No rip cord. You packed a chute so you know how it opens. He also had a memory that haunted him. As a kid he watched a parachute jump at an airport with his parents and a couple of brothers. One chute did not open and he and his brothers went over to where he went down. He was on the ground all wraped up in his chute with blood everywhere. He could close his eyes and see it now.

They tell you if you think you are not going to jump do not get on the plane. Everyone hooks up and moves along to the door. Any hestitation near the door you are gone. Oh! once you hook up there in no way you can unhook.

8013 thought about running away. But you see so many people in uniform wearing wings. Some with wreaths and stars. That means many jumps. No one would predict that this scared kid would make many,many jumps in the future. Even night jumps. And you know what he became not only a master jumper but a master skydiver. Now! who on this day would ever believe that?

8013 could not hide his fear until a Sgt. checked him over and said "you are a go and you will make it, see you are the ground." That did it. The fear lightened up. He made it with all of the rest of his class. This funny "dumb" kid with the blond hair and blue eyes. Nearly all of his teachers viewed him as a strange kid who will never make it.

The wings to a long drop. Hang on, you are in for one of the most amazing jumps among great careers.

Where ever you go, there you are. Is this true for 8013 ?

.
Posted by anonymous at 5:54 PM

0 comments:

Chapter III Basic After Basic

Chapter III. Basic After Basic

Army basic training is not easy. Just the simple task of adjusting is very difficult. Not only the requirements of the military but living with a bunch of strangers. Note the barracks above. They come from everywhere and all walks of life. Many do not want to be here. All kinds of personal habits that are strange or even offensive to others. Some men are extremely peaceful and helpful. Others ready to fight and not very helpful. Lots to learn. Mental and physical. Forced to cooperate. A few wash out and go home. A few friends are made. A few friendships will last for years or in a few cases a lifetime. Specialops8013 had to be careful as he was afraid of exposure to his actual age. There are situations where you let your guard down. A strain to maintain it all of the time. A beer or two can have its effect too.Actually time went fast and transfer time was coming.

Specialops8013 applied for paratrooper's school. He was passing basic with flying colors. Mostly blue for the Infantry.The Sgt. that supported Specialops8013 was shipping overseas. He wanted 8013 to keep in touch and gave him his home address. He also confided in 8013 that he suspected that he was under age. He told him not to worry he just might make it.8013 is going to the Infantry's Paratrooper School, Fort Benning, Georgia. At the time that meant nothing to 8013. However, recruits are selected to go there.. Another long trip on a train. Again from one coast to the other.At this time 8013 did not know how much California will be a part of his future.Only two others were selected to go to Fort Benning. The three would travel together.Columbus, Georgia, the nearest city to Fort Benning..

Greetings and acceptance were very different then at Camp Roberts. Now you are a soldier and expected to act like one. We thought that Camp Roberts was a tough place. The atmosphere here makes basic training look like play. Here you better understand what "Right Now" means. Here they expect you to understand and obey orders without hesitation. Takes a little adjusting. For any sign of failure or poorly exercised the soldier might be ordered, "Give me 15 or 20 or 25". This meant to get down where ever you were and do proper push ups in the ordered amount. Well, if you were smart you practiced push ups at every opportunity.

There are many training units at Ft. Benning, It is a giant base. Our Sgt. wanted us to stand out from the other units. They would have us show off. We often shared the parade ground, the shooting range, the obstacle course and the streets with others. Our Officers and Sgt were competing with the others. Most of the time we enjoyed it. We were the only ones wearing bloused boots. It looked like our pant legs were tucked into our boots but we had weight and rubberized bands that made them look Sharp. Over the years the others could do this too.The title should be "Super Basic After Basic."

There is something very different about jump school. Here you had a relationship with the instructors. They went through the same training and were highly proficient. The wings set them apart from the non-jumpers They had extreme pride and wanted all of us to have success.
They were hard on us but for a purpose and not just to be hard. When marching in formation we all felt a comradeship for the first time. Some personnel in basic attempted this but it was all kind of phoney baloney. Oh! sometimes in hand-to-hand training or the rifle range it happened. Here we knew we had to learn or wash out or worse get hurt or killed.

Also, we all wanted those wings on our uniform. Here, many shared their fears and apprehensions amid received support. Many friendships made here lasted a lifetime. Troopers to be would cover for each other when they could. Also help each other. Men like 8013 never experienced anything like that before. Made one feel like they belonged and more solid. There were very few fights or no stealing. The men, in general respected each other. Also, they were taught to look out for each other.








anonymous

Chapter II Runaway Accomplished: Now What?

Chapter II: Runaway Accomplished: Now What?

This is a photo of the barracks at Camp Roberts, California. There are two floors of double bunk beds on each floor. On the first floor there is a large latrine (bathroom) with a row of toilets against the wall with a large shower area where many men take a shower at one time. Everyone gets up at the same time (5:30). Living conditions for soldiers have improved over the years.

Seattle is a big city for a country boy. After living in a hotel for a few days Specialops8013 rented a room in an individual house. The renter was a seaman who goes to Alaska once or twice a month working on a boat. Specialops 8013 and he strike up a friendship. He called a friend who worked in a hardware store and managed to get Specialops8013 a job. He not only knew that he needed money, but did not want him roaming the streets. This worked out very well for 8013. The job was full time stocking, pricing and cleanup.

The man's name who helped 8013 was Jeb. Jeb's girlfriend came over to do some cooking and cleaning while Jeb was gone. This made everything very pleasant for 8013. He did not know how lucky he was.As time went on Jeb encouraged 8013 to join the military. He was ex-navy. He was afraid that young people like 8013 would meet the wrong people and get into trouble. His brother was paratrooper and loved it. 8013 was not so sure he wanted to jump out of planes. Jeb encouraged 8013 to go to the draft board and say it is his birthday and where does he sign up. 8013's birthday was coming up soon.

They made plans that if the board wanted to call him to use his number. He would answer as though he was 8013's dad. Jeb advised that when 8013 goes to the board office to act kind of scared.The birthday came and 8013 went to the board and declared that it was his birthday today, He completed tons of paper work. The board did call Jeb and he explained that he was separated from 8013's mother. He promised to get a birth certificate and take it in.
Well, it was an anxious 8-9 days before a letter came for 8013. He was to report for a physical.

Then after another 8-9 days he received orders to report to nearby Fort Lewis. Wow! no turning back now.There a bus schedule for Fort Lewis. Goodbye's to Jeb and Angel, his girl friend.

Fort Lewis is very large but everyone was escorted as they got off the bus. A very hectic 5 days and off to Camp Roberts in California. Oh! in uniform. Camp Roberts is a very large basic training camp in Central California near the coast. The parade ground was a square mile black topped. All of the marches were across the parade field. Lots of marches, drill, KP. bayonet training, weapons firing, hand-to-hand combat, exercise drill every morning at 6 AM.

The weeks went by. 8013 went to Los Angeles with a friend who lived there. Now that is a big city.8013 was 18 years old in the eyes of the Army so he was careful to act mature. He went of and practiced drills and stuff. Even went down to the obstacle course at night instead of drinking beer with other basics. It was dark and dangerous. However, it did help. One drill sergeant, who was a paratrooper toughened 8013 up. 8013 respected him and decided to be a paratrooper. The Sgt. said he would never make it.

Basic training is very difficult, both physically and mental. 8013 is only 16 years of age. Men were drafted up to age 35. Many living adjustments to be made. New things to be learned. New people and procedures to learn and live with. Leaders yelling at you and you can never talk back. Drill, drill and more drill of all kinds. Long marches in hot weather with heavy loads. Backpack, weapons, etc. Short breaks and up and at it. We are talking about miles here. The coast is flat but there are hills not far away.

Every now and then a soldier would give up. You couldn't help him and usually you never saw him again. Only one way to do anything: the Army way. Of course, once in awhile a soldier would get hurt or sick and he was taken care of. There were all types of men. Everything from someone who drank too much to men who blew up over minor things. There were very few incidents of sexual misbehavior. That was quickly corrected. Stealing was a minor but serious problem.
Finally, graduation day. A big ceremony. Everyone had their assignment.

8013 and two others were going to Fort Benning, Geogia for jump school. The others were going home prior to reporting to Fort. Benning. 8013's parents did not know where he was, dead or alive, in reform school or where. He always carried guilt over this and was tempted to call home but afraid to. He promised himself that he would call on his 18th birthday and visit as soon as possible. Although he tried not to think about it, he was homesick. If you have never tried it, it is a big strain behaving like what one thinks about adult behavior. Leisure time was the hardest.
Joking about and/or talking about females could leave big blanks in the younger one. Sometimes there would be no response. Being teased about sex could be deadly. How to react???

Army training is eternal. It starts in basic but never stops. Long marches get longer. (civilians call it hiking). Always carrying a weapon and other equipment. Try 5 miles on gravel and grass then a couple of miles on blacktop. Wow! that is hard on the legs and feet. Walking and then running and then walking some more. Basic was an introduction to all of this. Up hills and down.
Slopes and mountains,. Ground such as concrete, blacktop, sand, gravel and across streams.
Must learn how to care for blisters and callous and how to avoid them. One learns how to care for ones feet or suffer the consequences.

That is only one topic. There is the care of clothing, weapons, ammunition, your body, and everything around you. If you smoke you do not throw the butt on the ground. You learn how to field strip a cig and what a butt can is. You get the idea. Mom would sure come in handy now!!!

Posted by anonymous at 1:32 PM

Chapter I. Introduction

Chapter I: Introduction

The three photos tell our story From a young boy day dreaming about his beloved mountains as well as well as far off places. This unit was not established at the time our story starts. In fact it was not even considered. There was a small Hodge podge of military and government people doing similar activities generally unknown to the public. The span of history between the two pictures and the one on top is many years. Our story starts somewhere between 1995 and 1950 with the so called Cold War. The story continues beyond the Cold War to the Korean War and Viet Nam with many interludes in the Middle East and Asia.

As a kid 8013 was nearly obsessed with the surrounding mountains. 8013 could walk out in his back yard and be heading towards the mountains. 8013 grew up in the country area near Altoona, Pa. The city nearby where specialops8013 was born, went to school, and grew up. Altoona was a large railroad center with some 12-13 set of tracks dividing the city. The Pennsylvania Railroad's repair shop with the largest round house in the world. A round house is where they turn engines around. It was rather dirty from the coal smoke of the engines. Specialops8013 went to a County school for three years and then city schools.The story starts as a young lad living in the hills of Pennsylvania programing his fate. From his beloved mountains to travels over much of the world. As we go on there will be a tendency to ask how this can be?. Oh! there are vague connecting links mixed with large contradictions. The story fits the blog design as we go from episode to episode. Actually, life is that way.

Incidentally, Special Ops 8013 identifies the main subject of the story.

Family, School, Mountains and 8013

8013 was born into a family of 10, 6 boys and three girls. The boys and one sister were all older. The next brother was 8 years older. So they were leaving home by the time he was in 1st grade. So his family consisted of 3. Specialops8013 was blond haired, blue eyed boys in a sea of kids with black hair and eyes. Many fights from a young age. After he fought back in the 3rd grade, things were a little better. Both sets of grandparents were born in Holland.His father was a successful contractor who stopped his formal education very young. He was mostly self-taught. He worked from a young age. His mother was a very proud and caring individual who took care of the family. This included nearly all of the discipline. For some unknown reasons 8013 hated school from 1st grade on. He often stated that he learned to read and write because of this extreme dislike. He wanted to write to his first grade teacher and it wasn't until 3rd grade that he could. He just said :" I told her where to go."

8013's mother was very embarrassed by his behavior. He loved the mountains from a young age. They lived somewhat in the country where it was easy to walk to the mountains. Lots of snow in the winter months. Even in the winter months 8013 would play hooky from school. On some occasions as early as 5Th grade when he received his jacket for recess outdoors he would take off. Hours later cold and hungry. but hesitating to go home to an angry Mom. To be sure his mother was very angry.She did not understand his strange behavior nor know what to do about it. There were two opposing factors that were quite simple. 1. He hated school. 2. He loved and enjoyed the mountains.

At times school authorities would suspect that he might be retarded or have a brain malfunction. Except he was an excellent reader and scored high on non-verbal intelligence tests. 8013 read the text books and scored high on exams if they related to the text. 8013 had friends who also enjoyed hiking and camping out. However, he probably was the only one who went alone.They rode bikes and sleds together in the hills and mountain areas. Some miles from 8013's home there was a 7 mile 2 lane blacktop road with an S turn at the bottom. Many a kid did not make it. The road was used by coal trucks going up and down. At times, a up truck was passing a down truck. The bike rider could not stop. Sometimes there was space on one side of the road. Exciting, you bet.

During the Junior High and High school years 8013 considered running away. He worked cleaning wall paper, selling berries and whatever came along. One summer he worked in a local chocolate factory. Saving nearly every penny. Nearly everything, but school was not wonderful, but OK. 8013 saw a movie where runaways were sent to reform school. He decided he had to go by train and as far as possible. Seattle on the map looked far away so he checked the cost. He also knew he needed to have money in his pocket. So he made plans to go by train to Seattle. He is a little over 15. Only a long time friend knew about his planning. A girl whom he knew forever. He often was invited to go to her family's summer cottage. Her parents really liked him. She was an A student but seemed to understand 8013's plight.

8013 had several girl friends over the years starting in about 8Th grade. He went to the movies and school activities. as well as hiking and picnics. He enjoyed all of that. A friend of his father introduced him to Scouting, He joined but not for long. Nearly every Sunday he went to Church Sunday School. He and his friends went to the movies every Saturday up to age of 12 or so. They also went swimming at the YMCA.

At around age 15 Specialops8013 started making concrete plans about running away. He managed to save quite a lot of money for a 15 year old. It was hid in a can under a large tree. Around $300 and a train ticket with a schedule. Plans included getting even with a friend's big brother who broke his nose several years before. He spent hours observing the friend's house and the where abouts of the brother. The brother went to work and came home at a certain times.

Plans were firmed up with his telling two of his older friends the night before he planned to leave. They could not quite accept that he was going. They were very concerned. They were older and about to be drafted. They considered Specialops8013 as very young and immature. They took him out and together they drank several beers as usual. Special8013 was tall and well built and could be served in the some of the local bars. He is 15 and 6 months now. This was the final goodbye.Specialops8013 had a bag and suitcase packed and hid in a little shack with garden tools.He was up early and dressed for school. It was cold out.

8013 had one task to perform before leaving. He did act a little strange around his parents. They never noticed. He knew his friend's brother would be leaving for work soon. He was in the tree in his back yard when he came out of the house, Specialops8013 hit him on the head with a 2x4 as he came by. Specialops saw him laying there bleeding and had regrets that never went away.

Off to pick up the bags and to the train station. It was a long train ride to the West coast city of Seattle. Had to change trains in Chicago. Actually this was his first train ride. The family always trawled by auto. Slept some, walked around some but mostly looking out the window. Free but so sad and already homesick. In the train station in Chicago a woman befriended him and invited him to her house for the night. She promised him she would have at the station long before 11 AM when his train left. She was very nice and fixed dinner for them.

Later 8013 overheard her on the phone. 8013 became afraid because she was talking about him. He went to the bedroom and grab his bag and went out the window. It was still early and he stopped at a drug store and asked for directions. If he were driving it not be far but a very long walk. much to his surprise a young couple offered to take him. They said she lived near the train station. They talked all of the way there and she asked a million questions. He was there in plenty of time. He always wondered if he was right about the woman. Maybe not.