Fort Jackson Visit

Outside the classrooms at the Army Recruiting
and Retention School, Soldier Support Institute,
Fort Jackson, SC.

Had the privilege today of attending the graduation of Adjutant General Warrant Officer Basic Course Class #01-11 at the Soldier Support Institute at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  What was so cool about it was that one the graduates was W01 Scott E. Walker.  I was Scott's recruiter.

I put Scott in boots about thirteen years ago for a two-year stint as an Airborne Infantry Soldier.  At the time, I was working out of the Gloversville, New York Armed Forced Recruiting Center, which belonged to the Albany Recruiting Company, Albany Recruiting Battalion, 2nd Recruiting Brigade.  Scott, who hails from Fort Hunter, NY; population 75, give or take, was a senior at Fonda-Fultonville Central School in Fonda, NY; population about 150.

Scott made the Commandant's List and was the only class member to receive the Commandant's Certificate and Coin of Excellence. He also received an award for outstanding physical fitness.

My mother made the trip with me. She's here visiting from North Carolina. After the ceremony, we "toured" the Army Recruiting and Retention School.  Basically, we looked at a few pictures on the walls. I went through that distinguished institution in 1996 and nothing has changed since then.

W01 Walker receiving his WOBC diploma and
Commandant's Certificate and Coin of Excellence.

In fact, back in '96, my recruiting class held its graduation in this very same auditorium.  It's a lot smaller than I remembered it.  But everything else in the building almost seemed untouched from when I was there as a student.

Mom and I met Scott's wife, Chrystal.  She had flown down from New York.  Once Scott got his DA Form 1059, the two of them were to drive back home.

After it was all over, Mom and I drove back to Augusta.  But on the way we stopped at Exit #58, in Lexington, SC, and had lunch at a Fatz Cafe.  It was great.  All in all, it was a very nice day away from work.