Page 139 - YB1969

"FALL IN!" A disorganized mass of uniformed young men push and shove each other into equal ranks-left arm extended, then dropped, rifle along seam of right trouser leg, feet together, eyes front ... "Inspection HAHMS!" Rifle heaved up, grasped by right hand, almost simultaneous click as the operating rod handle is pushed back, quick look inside, feeling of sensation, of pain in left hand ... "Pooort ... " hesitate, thumb inside, pushing down follower, edge of palm holding back operating rod handle, muscles straining ... " ... HAHMS!" Pull the thumb out, bolts slamming shut, CLICK, click, click ... click ... click ... The sights and sounds of a Tuesday drill period are the same as in years past: MS I's learning how to march, how to shine their brass; MS II's stacking weapons, serving as noncoms; MS Ill's sweating or freezing in fatigues, combat boots and soft hats; the IV's, swagger- ing, cocky on the drill field, impressive in their uniforms; all these sensations, these sights, these sounds are the same. But these outward similarities mask the change that has come to the program. For the first time students with long hair and different values refused to become uniformed cadets and to carry rifles on their shoulders. Through their efforts, ROTC was made voluntary on a trial basis for next year. There were new faces on the cadre, and for many there seemed to be a tightening of require- ments. The old feeling of looseness, of laxity, was gone. ROTC, 1968·1969-a new era for an old tradition. First Row: Vince Festa, Jeff Willis, Rick Robbins, Phil Riggin, Ron Norm Sartorius, Brian Bruneske. Third Row: Herb Shrieves, John Clawson, Larry Cline, Rick Schmertzler. Second Row: Pat Flee- Haker, Jerry Harrison, Jobst Vandrey, Jim King, AI Kempske, Joe harty, Jim March, Hugh Dawkins, Doug Smarte, Howard Bond, Smothers, Vic McTeer, Earl Dietrich, Bill Hill, Dave Dunlevy. 135