Was stationed at Ft. Devens from early 1973 to November that same year in
Company D (yes the home of the 14th Continental Army) . Could be seen playing
with my friends at the 402nd USASA SOD when not busy doing something else
that somone thought was more meaningful or important (don't ask..and I will
not tell).
I believe the MOS's were something like 98C, 97B, 11B, 71L and 71F....or was
it 98G, 05K, 64C and 00B.....take your choice, it didn't matter what you
were, "you will fulfill the needs of the army!" I knew a few ditty-boppers
that were sitting in a personnel, cook or driver slot!
Took a very nice "first class" trip on a 747 from J.F. Kennedy airport to
Frankfurt, West Germany and was personally searched by one female customs
agent that could have been a former shot-putter for the 1972 Olympics.
Transferred to another flight to good ole Tempelhof Airport located right on
the border of both West and East Berlin (thankfully the pilot landed on the
correct runway).
Spent much time on a duty train going back and forth between Berlin and the
border sites of Det. K (Helmstedt) and Det. L (closed soon afterwards, I know
the name of the place but I will mess up on the spelling) transporting mail
(yes mail....but why did I have to have a TS/SI/Crypto clearance and orders
to eat every parcel if boarded by the Russians at the numerous train stops
within the zone?) and delivering the old fashion 16MM movie films.
Could tell alot of stories about the Field Station....and I may sometime
later on.....!!
Played football on Pop Hansen's Berlin team, representing the great ASA
against the grunts, MP's, tankers and others. We had a butt kicking team for
the two years I was there. The grunts couldn't understand how we could win
most of the games without having mandatory PT (physical training...you know,
push-ups, chin-ups and running and screaming) like they had to do everyday!!
We told the grunts we won because we exercised the muscle between our ears
everyday....some of them I'm sure are still wondering what that meant (a mind
is a terrible to waste) since they had no idea what that statement could
mean (you remember we were told that we were the top 10% of the army?).
It's great to see an ASA Web page....at least I can have a good laugh and
reminisce about the old times. Be great to hear from the people who made "The
Hill, H&S Company, Company A, Company B, the Mess Hall a tolerant experience
and ....."NO this trick bus does not go to McNair Barracks!!!!!!
(Personal joke for all those ASA people who had to put up with the
grunts boarding the wrong bus all the time, and found themselves at the
great ping-pong ball factory....very lost and confused)
