27 A Different World

And this is what kept me company in my new position walking rear security in an infantry leg unit that spent about 30 days in the field at a clip. Walking rear security meant I carried claymore mines to set up at night as booby traps for VC/NVA trying to enter our night position. I did this until I volunteered to be assistant pig man (M60) and traded my claymores for M60 ammo belts. This was a totally different way of life for me, and I truly missed the days of 'having a ride', 'hot meals', and 'showering standing next to the track as water was poured down from above'. I used to tell the guys, "My heart was with the 25th, but the Americal had my soul!"