XI. Yeah Man, No, Yeman !

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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

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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.