Amber and I meet.
By WillLyn. Listen to the Podcast at Connected.
Chapter 1 The Bus.
No matter what squadron you're in the Monday after graduation nobody sleeps. You get up, have breakfast, then you have a few hours to say goodbye to your family who came out for graduation. By noon, you're back in dorms. Doing one final detail cleaning on what you have called home for the last 6 and a half weeks and preparing it for 60 new kids who will soon fill it. You find your self saying goodbye to your new found brothers. You all will soon be leaving for new squadrons, many to new bases. The 59 other men you've come to rely on and love as brothers will no longer be with you. That day is the longest one of Basic Military Training. The last buses to leave for tech school are the buses to Keesler Air Force Base, my new base, and they don't actually leave until 2 am on Tuesday morning, by then you've been up for at least 20 hrs. It's a cluster fuck at processing, At least 6 to 10 people from each flight, 4 flights per squadron, from 6 different squadrons all in one building. Take all that and add in that new trainees are now arriving and you have a good mess. It's actually about 4 am when I finally board a bus and I'm thankful that there are only still about 50 people to share the three buses left. I'll have a whole row of seats to myself, or so I thought. Suddenly a Military Training Instructor jumps onto the bus and starts screaming to "Pack it in" meaning fill every seat from front to back.
Oh great, I thought, So much for being able to finally stretch out and get comfortable. A female Airman sits down in the seat next to me. No one says a thing as the MTI keeps barking orders. filling every seat at the front of the bus. About 5 more Airmen file onto to the bus making a total of about twenty people on the bus. Finally he steps off and starts yelling at someone standing on the curb. He then steps back to the door of the bus and says something to the driver, the door closes and every one breaths a sigh of relief, we are finally underway and leaving Lackland behind. A few people start to get up and move back to their original seats.
"Y'all might want to stay where you are for now," the bus driver says over the intercom, "They're gonna check again at the gate and try to give you one last scare." No one decides to move.
Sure enough an MTI jumps on the bus when we get to the gate, it's Staff Sergeant, Bozeman, my MTI.
"YOU ALL WILL BE THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEST IDEALS OF AMERICAN AIRMEN DURING THIS TRIP! YOU WILL STAY IN YOUR SEATS! YOU WILL ASK THE DRIVER FOR PERMISSION TO USE THE LATRINE! THE BUS WILL MAKE SEVERAL STOPS, THESE ARE FOR THE DRIVERS TO REST AND GET REFRESHMENTS! YOU WILL STAY ON THE BUS UNLESS THE DRIVER GIVES YOU PERMISSION TO LEAVE!"
I do as I've learned over the last two months, look straight ahead and don't make a sound unless addressed specifically and asked for a response. It's not enough, Staff Sergeant Bozeman zeros in on me from four rows away.
"LYNDS!" He bellows, "YOU WILL BE THE BUS LEADER FROM THIS BUS! YOU WILL TAKE ROLL CALL AT EACH STOP AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS ON BOARD BEFORE IT LEAVES! THE BUS DRIVER WILL REPORT ANY, AND I MEAN ANY PROBLEMS AND I WILL PERSONALLY COME TO KEESLER AND RECYCLE YOUR UGLY ASS BACK TO PICKUP NIGHT FOR MY NEXT FLIGHT! UNDERSTAND."
"YES SIR!" I yell. He turns around and says something quietly to the driver, steps off and goes to the next bus intend on terrorizing them one last time. The diesel winds up and the bus moves away from the gate, NOW we are finally on our way.
"Y'all can get comfortable now, feel free to move seats if you'd like it won't bother the bus or me for you to move around. I'll start playing a couple movies here soon once we get away from base and on the highway. The first one will be what I'm sure will be a hit with you all "Full Metal Jacket." No cheers greeted this announcement, we were all just too tired.
Slowly I begin to relax after Staff Sergeant Bozeman's final scolding, a few of the Airmen begin talking to each other, for many its the first words they've said freely in weeks. I look at the Airman sitting next to me for the first time. She's still sitting at attention.
"You can relax, it's at least an eight hour trip to Keesler. No need to stay stiff all the way. I won't bite." I tell her and she visibly relaxes. "I'm Lynds," I tell her as if Staff Sergeant Bozeman hasn't already told the whole bus who I am.
"Airman Basic Amber Brown, en route from the 326th Training Squadron Lackland Air Force Base to the 332nd Training Squadron Keesler Air Force Base, Sir." She reports as If I'm her new MTI.
"No need to be so formal, We're all the same here." I reply, Expect for me, I'm from the best Squadron on Lackland, 323 Vipers."
She looks and me and smiles, stands up at attention.
"Please face the back of the bus to do your squadron chants." The bus driver already knows whats coming. There is always a form of sibling rivalry between units of any military. Each one thinks it's the best and tries to prove it at every opportunity.
She turns to face the back of the bus, "THREE TWO SIX! ATTENTION!" Two other Airmen stand up and turn to the back of the bus and Amber leads them through their squadron chant. This seems to give everyone a little energy as representatives from the 324th and 331st stand up and go through their squadron chants.
Finally after the 331st quits their gorilla grunts and sits down, I stand up, "THREE TWO THREE! ATTENTION! ABOUT FACE!" Eight other Airmen jump to attention and face the back of the bus, smiles on all of our faces, the Vipers run this bus. "SAY IT!" I yell.
"STRIKE FIRST STRIKE FAST STRIKE HARD!" Comes the instant reply.
"SAY IT!" I repeat.
"STRIKE FIRST STRIKE FAST STRIKE HARD!"
"SAY IT!"
"STRIKE FIRST STRIKE FAST STRIKE HARD!"
"WHO STRIKES FIRST?" I yell
"WE DO SIR!"
"AND WHO ARE WE?"
"THE THREE TWO THREE AIRMAN SIR!" A couple brave hecklers begin uttering jests at us.
"NOW FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THESE POOR SOULS WHO DON'T HAVE THE HONOR, LET'S TELL THEM WHAT MAKES A THREE TWO THREE AIRMAN SO GREAT!"
"SIR A THREE TWO THREE AIRMAN IS SILENT AND DEADLY, SHROUDED IN STEALTH! TRUE TO HIS COUNTRY TRUE TO HIMSELF! SLIPS THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH A VENOMOUS BITE! WHO? WHAT? WHO? WHAT? WHO WHO WHO? THREE TWO THREE!" A final hiss silences our hecklers as I smile down at Amber and take my seat again.
"See, I told you, the best." I say and she laughs. Finally the movie starts and everyone started to calm down. Eventually, shortly after Gunny Hartman gets shot, everyone starts to doze off.
I start waking up slowly, something has changed. the whine of the diesel has deepened and we are slowing down. I take a look around, many of the Airmen have spread out taking their own rows and stretching out. Amber and I are the only ones still left sharing a row. She has pulled my right arm over her chest and is holding it like a blanket across her. She starts to stir when I move my arm.
"Alright folks," the driver begins over the public address speakers, "This is gonna be our first stop, it'll be about 15 minutes. If you'd like to get something to eat that's okay. Our next stop will be in about two hours and you'll have time for lunch then."
"Vipers," I start, "Grab a wingman and stick together. If Bozeman drags my ass back to pickup night I'm taking whoever got me sent back with me." I recognize three of the other 323rd Airmen with me, they were members of my flight, two more from 464 my brother flight, one from 461 our sister flight and two from 462 our other brother flight. I hand my notepad out
"Write your names down so i can take roll call after the stop. Buddy-up with someone with a different squadron, our two Whooped-pups can stick together."
"Looks like Lynds already picked his wingman." Big Easterling says, one of my flight mates.
"Nope, I picked him." Amber replied before I could speak, "He has brains to go with his muscle you big oaf. You're just brawn and stupidity."
Easterling opens his mouth for a reply but can't come up with anything and just stands there.
"My point exactly," Amber laughs before his gears can get to speed.
We're stopped at a small convenience store as the sun is just beginning to rise and I actually get a good look at her. She's tall, about 5'9" or 10. She has a petite frame but with enough meat and muscle to give her some small curves in all the right places. Her hair is a brick red almost auburn color and she speaks with a southern accent, the kinda voice that makes a country boy like myself’s dick hard just listening to it. Inside I grab some frosted doughnuts, a small back of chips, the last pack of double stuff Oreo and a bottle of Mtn. Dew. Amber gets some chips, a three dollar bottle of fancy cold coffee, and a muffin. We get up to the counter and I ask for a pack of Camels.
"We're not supposed to be smoking," Amber says to me nervously.
"It's okay," the clerk tells her, clearly he sees this every week. "The TI's say they're on the buses but never are."
"Hers too," I tell the clerk, as she keeps thinking about what he said.
"Well if that's the case," she finally speaks up "I'll have a pack of Salem Lights."
I pay for both our stuff and we walk outside, the smell of cigarette smoke is coming from behind the building and we head to it.
I figured it was a good cover, if they smelled smoke on us we could say that we were investigating but didn't see anyone we recognized. There are in fact at least four I recognize and at least one Amber knows.
"Robin!" She shouts, as a beautiful brunette turns to look her way "So glad you're headed to Keesler too. It'll be good to have another friend there."
"Another?" Robin asks while looking at me.
"Lynds, this is Robin Arp. She was my bunk mate. She's headed to the 338th at Keesler."
"I'm bound for the 338th as well," I say as I hold out my hand and she shakes it.
I listen to the two of them talk as we finish our cigarettes. Then it's time to re board the buses. I do a quick check and make sure the right people are on the bus, although most of us smell like cigarettes everyone's here. The driver restarts the bus and we're off again.
As we ate, Amber and I talked. It started as chit chat. Soon, I pulled out my disc man and we shared a pair of earphones. I started by playing some Smash Mouth, some Kid Rock, then went old school with Waylon Jennings and Billy Joel. She played her Creed CD and then her favorite band, 3 Doors down. She was amazed that I not only liked Creed, but knew enough of their songs that I could sing along.
We stopped for lunch at a large restaurant. I was thankful that our meal voucher covered the buffet although most everyone was ordering plated meals. Not only did this more time to eat, we only had 45 minutes to eat, we could also eat more. It's amazing how you only realize how hungry you really are once you actually have time to eat. I finished to plates of food and was pondering a third with dessert when the announcement came that we had five minutes before boarding.
"If we want another smoke we better get out there." I said and Amber agreed. When went outside and chatted with other airmen while smoking.
Back on the bus, Amber and I decided that our seating arrangement wasn't broken so why fix it. We did agree to switch seats so I could stretch my legs out and be more comfortable. With full stomachs, the drone of the diesel took effect and Amber and I began to cuddle again and dozed off. When we stopped for the third time, we both got another drink and smoked. Amber chatted with Robin while I talked with Easterling. When we boarded the bus for the last leg, we were about an hour away from Keesler, we started talking again.
We decided we should hang out again sometime and agreed to drop off messages for each other that night when we got settled into our new squadrons. Soon the bus pulled up to the gates at Keesler and when the doors opened more Sergeants jumped on and began barking orders. Amber went to the line headed to the 332nd and I to the 338th. We reminded each other of our promise to drop off messages and went our separate ways. That evening would not at all be what we thought it would be.
Amber and I get to know each other more.
After the cluster fucks at in and out processing, at Basic Military Training, in Lackland, I was expecting pretty much the same thing at Keesler. Mess with your head, put the fear of Sergeants in your heart, and generally make sure you are scared and confused as much as possible, it wasn't. There were 6 Sergeants and a dozen or so airmen. After a quick check to make sure we had our bags, orders and that we were in the right lines, we were soon off to our new squadrons. It was surprising to only see about 18 people at the 338th reception room. The only person from my flight there was Big Easterling, and I had already met Robin. The rest of them I didn't know. There also about a dozen people in BATTLE DRESS UNIFORMS. The I.P. (In Processing) Team checked our orders, found our room assignments and went over the various "student rope" colors, basic squadron rules and answered a few questions. After that we were given our phase cards, that along with our ID's we would use to access the dorms, our room keys and introduced to our "mentors," told to change into BATTLE DRESS UNIFORMS and then meet our mentors back in the IP room. I changed, made note of the phone numbers to the pay phones in the day room and went back to the IP room.
My mentors name was Zic, and coincidentally my new room mate. From there we went on a walking and bus tour of the base. Zic took us to the Magnolia Dining Facility a.k.a. "The Mag" the main chow hall in the student side of the base or "The Triangle." It was a huge cafeteria that four of the squadrons shared during the week and all six squadrons used on the weekend. We had to eat every meal at the chow halls for the first two weeks, after that we only had to eat breakfast and lunch during the week. We could order pizza from off base if we had it delivered, or eat at the two restaurants on base. After dinner we went to the Mini BASE EXCHANGE and shown where the cleaners, tailors, and barber shop where. Next was the post office where we got assigned our mail boxes. Our last stop for the night was the Student Center or the "Fishbowl" as it was called. This was one of the social centers of the Triangle. We could visit the Chaplains, or chill out in the TV room. By the time we got back to the 338th it was after 9pm, which was also our curfew time. So much for dropping a message for Amber. We were told to head to bed and be in the IP room at 06:00. By then, despite the naps on the bus I was exhausted and passed out right away.
What actually woke me up the next morning was a loud bang on the door at 03:30. I jumped out of bed and was standing at attention before my brain actually started functioning. Zic chuckled as he climbed down from his bed and turned on the light.
"Buffer," Zic told me, "We do details every morning. You'll get yours at GI party on Sunday."
After eating breakfast I went into the IP room about 05:30. Most of the other Airmen were forming up to march to class but there were still a few hanging around to leave later. Apparently the IP room was a intermediate hangout for "SepRats" or Airmen who were married and lived in base housing and were not allowed in the actual dorms. I found out that the rooms along the hall were actually used as locker rooms for the SepRats to store and change into their PC gear. The morning started with a briefing by Master Sergeant Proctor "Master P" who was our Chief Military Training Leader (MTL's or Blue Ropes as they were more often called). Afterwards we formed up to be marched down to Siebler Center where the main personnel offices where. From there we went over mounds of paperwork and then went into a briefing room to learn how to drive, walk, and ride bikes on base. This was the first time I actually was able to see Amber since getting off the bus.
"Hey stranger," I said walking up to her. "Long time no see."
"Hey," she smiled. "Forget something last night?"
"About that, I'm sorry" I started.
"I know, we didn't get done with the dime tour until 21:30 either. Straight to bed for us too."
"How about dinner tonight, meet you at the Magnolia at 18:00? They told us we'd be done around 17:00 today and we'd have some time to ourselves." I suggested.
"They told us about the same. I'll see you there."
We exchanged pay phone numbers and waited for the briefing to start. After suffering through four hours of death by Power Point we were released to return to our squadrons for lunch, to be followed by more briefings at our squadrons. Back at the squadron it was a parade of Blue Ropes, the Airmen from the Charge Quarters office, our First Sergeant Ramona Evans, and Finally the squadron commander. Now Lieutenant Colonel Naylor was a man of few words. He simply reminded us that while we could come to him with any problems we had, we still needed to follow the chain of command through Sergeant Evans first. I'll never forget his final words to us,
"In the last three months, Four different squadrons have had to go on lock-down for STD's. The 338th hasn't had to be locked down at all during my time here in command, and I intend to keep it that way. USE YOUR CONDOM FUCKING SENSE AND WRAP YOUR SHIT! FOR YOU FEMALES, WRAP HIS SHIT!"
That was the end of the our briefing, Colonel Naylor and a couple of the Sergeants stayed back to answer a few questions and by the time it was all done it was almost 17:00 hours so we were released. We were told that tomorrow would be our last day of in processing and that Friday we would start Air Force Instruction.
I got to the Mag about ten minutes to 18:00 and found Amber there waiting for me. The chow hall was packed and there was actually a line just to get in.
"I've been told most everyone gets their food To Go and usually eat back at the courtyard at the squadron." Amber said. "The only ones that regularly eat inside are us and you guys at 338th on the weekends."
"Yeah, we have our own chow hall at the 338th, but other squadrons aren't supposed to eat there. The Mag is the only place were all the squadrons can go." I replied.
"Lucky you. This place is a mad house."
After waiting in line for about ten minutes I noticed that the "Sandwich" was almost empty.
"I got an idea, lets just grab a sandwich here." I said. "They told us on the tour yesterday that the bowling alley served pizza. We can actually eat there and maybe play a game."
"Then its a date, it's really loud in here anyways. we wouldn't be able to talk much anyways."
"Huh?" I half shouted.
"I said it really loud in here-" She started again.
"What?" I shouted putting my hand to my ear acting as if I couldn't hear anything. My smile gave me away though and Amber started laughing.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're a smart ass?"
"Mamma always said, 'It's better to be a smart ass than a dumb ass.'" I said in my best Forrest Gump impression.
"Do you have a boat named Jenny after a girlfriend?" She laughed.
"No, just a truck. And she was a crush, not a girlfriend."
We didn't bother eating the sandwiches from the chow hall, and as loud as it was in the Mag the base shuttle bus was even louder and more crowded. Amber and I hadn't been able to say a word the whole ride. Once inside the bowling alley and back in the Activity Center, we finally were able to talk again.
We put our pizza order and sat down at a table.
"So, where you from," she asked, "That definitely isn't an southern accent in your voice but I can't place it."
"Colorado, a small town in the high plains called Kiowa."
"I've been to Denver and Daddy does business in Boulder every now and then but I've never heard of Kiowa."
"I'd be amazed if you had. It’s on four blocks by four blocks. There were 21 of us that graduated this year. Seven guys fourteen gals."
"And I thought I was a small school girl. There were 500 of us. So what about siblings. You got family?" She asked.
"Well, there it gets interesting. Kiowa is a farm and ranch town, so most everybody lives outside of town. Within our circle of friends we had the only house in town, that was actually in town. So everyone would gather at our house. Homecoming, Winter Ball, prom, fair, the auctions. Every social event, our house would be crowded." I explained. "And sense no one ever explained to Mom that the rule about feeding stray dogs also applies to kids. Mom only had two girls and me, but she was Mom to 7 girls and 6 boys."
"Wow! I was pretty much and only child. My youngest brother was 12 when I was born. I'm the youngest of five. All boys until me. All military and officers." She said proudly, "I'm the black sheep of the family." She whispered. "What about your family? Anyone in the military?"
"Both my Grandfathers were Army Air Corps. Granddad Morgan was a tail gunner on a B-17 and Grandpa Jack was a P-47 mechanic. My Uncle did three years in the Air Force. But so far just me from my generation."
Moments later our pizza arrived still sizzling from the oven. The waitress also brought our drinks. I immediately grabbed a piece and took a bite. One thing I quickly learned about southern pizza, they cook it HOT! Amber was laughing at me the whole time I was trying to chew without letting the boiling lava that was the cheese touch the roof of my mouth. The "Iced tea" I ordered to drink added insult to injury when the near syrup consistency concoction was way too sweet. Amber's laugh wasn't helping the situation any but at least she had a cute giggle.
"Think that was funny do ya?" I glared.
"Yes!" She giggled. "I may have to reconsider my comment about brains. You burn yourself trying to show off."
"You know the famous last words of a redneck don't ya?" I shamelessly asked.
"Uh uh. What?"
"HEY Y'ALL, WATCH THIS!"
At that Amber lost it. A full fledged laugh came out with a power that I was wondering if she had a microphone.
"That's quite a voice you got there." I said when she finally quieted down.
"Thank you, I sang in the choir."
"School?" I asked.
"No, church. Daddy is very religious and we went to mass every Sunday. What about you? You sing? You sure know how to move some air."
"According to my sister I can't carry a tune with a bucket, but I apparently can with a trumpet. I've played since fifth grade."
"What about church, are you religious?" She asked.
"I believe in a higher power, God if you will. Watch a sunrise or sunset, or look at the stars at night and that will tell you that we are not the highest beings in existence. But, of the people I've met in churches, I've found that alot of them are hypocrites. Down at the Hitchin' Post drinking all night Saturday; but holier than thou come Sunday morning at church, chugging coffee to fight the hangover, you know."
"The Hitchin' Post?" She asked.
"The town bar. My great Granddad would get up every morning watch the sunrise, work all day, then sit on the porch with Great Grandma and a glass of whiskey and watch the sunset. He said the was all he ever needed to know that there was a God. And if you pull your weight in the world, treat others the way you want them to treat you, and do the right thing, you and God won't have any problems. That's the way I try to live. Yeah, I get angry sometimes, cuss, and I'm no angel, but I try to do what's right and help others."
This got a smile from her. We chatted for a while as we were eating, then got into a short disagreement about splitting the tab. my argument is that is was a "date" and, as the one who suggested it, I pay. Her argument was that we we're not an official couple and that we should go dutch. In the end we compromised by deciding that this would be the first, and only time, I would let her split the tab.
We didn't end up doing any bowling and started walking back to our squadrons, getting back about 20:30. We didn't make any plans for the next night, as Amber said she was kind of a "free spirit" and didn't really like making plans.
The next day it was more of the same, Paperwork, briefings, and general hurry up and wait (something you quickly get used to in the military). They released us about 16:15. since we missed afternoon formation we didn't have to do PC and I decided to do some more exploring. I went into the other big social spot in the Triangle, Vandenburg Hall, or "The V" as many airmen called it. I talked to a few other new arrivals or "Pingers" as they were called. One of which was a gal named Samana Hayes. I noticed the purple and silver rope that she wore and asked what it was.
"Beat and blow. Drum and Bugle." She said. "You can come check it out if you want. Gotta be 2nd phase though. Occasionally we'll go off base."
"Need your own horn?" I asked.
"Nope. We practice Thursday nights, I was actually just headed there now, care to join me?"
"Sure."
After a short audition by playing a few scales and practicing with the rest of the Corps I was accepted. We were to practice on Thursday nights at 19:00. I couldn't get my rope yet but was told after my Phase run next week to come back on that Monday with my phase card and I'd be given my rope and extra uniform pieces.
By WillLyn for Literotica.