INSPECTION DAY

Inspection Day was announced for our barracks at Fort Bragg.

Anything and everything could be inspected – beds made so tight a quarter could bounce off, clothes hung and folded and neatly arranged in the drawers, boots spit-shined, floors mopped and polished, windows cleaned, toilets and showers and sinks spotless, …

We rose well before daylight, attended to our own personal space, divided up the common tasks, put the barracks in order, and waited. We didn’t know when the inspectors would come.

While we waited no one could walk on the floors (except in socks), or sit on the beds. And only one toilet was allowed for use.

It was kind of a silly use of the time of 44 soldiers, it seemed.

Or was it good training in discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail?