-
Chapter 19: Driving Rusty
- TCU Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Nineteen Driving Rusty JffhadawwfQ I could be a 'iftr too. - marching song I knew the world was turned upside down a few days later as soon as the first sergeant came in. I could tell he was upset about something as he slammed around the office while I worked recording the platoon's scores for the company academic officer. "What's up, Top?" "Bullshit, as usual. Damn Army, you can't tell what's going to happen any more, and you can't depend on nothing. That company clerk was supposed to be here today, and I need him to be a driver. The rurd came in moping around and went on sick call, and I still need a driver. ~ He looked at me as if he'd had an idea and asked me if I could drive. "Sure, Top. Why do you ask?" "OK, that'll work. I don't like to take an officer candidate away from his duties, but battalion has been passing this around on the sly, and it's our turn to take care ofhim today, so I'm just going to have to ask you to do it for me. "Here's what I want you to do. Here are the keys to that Army limousine Out there. Drive over to the PX. You'll find a first lieutenant wearing dress greens sitting out ftont. Your job is to pick him up and drive him wherever he wants to go." "That sounds easy enough, Top. What's his name?" "Name? Why do you want to know his name? Oh, all right. His name is Calley. Little guy with red hair." "Lt. Calley? Isn't that the guy that's under house arrest here for killing those-" Top turned on me sharply. "Shut the fuck up, candidate. Keep you mouth shut and do what the lieutenant tells you to. Don't ask no questions." "But, Top, what do I do ifhe wants to go off post. He's not supposed to leave." The first sergeant shook his head wearily. "Damn it. You're in OCS, and you're not supposed to be reading no newspapers Of watching no TV. All that civilian bullshit don't mean nothing out here. We take care of our own. If [he lieutenant wants to go off post, you go off post. He'lI ler you be back by 1700. Just do whar I tell you and keep quiet about it." Taking the keys and grabbing my baseball cap with a blue OCS patch, I headed out the door, "Yes sir, boss." "Don'[ call me 'sir'; I work for a living," he yelled after me as I walked out. .~ ,. " rpassed the adjutant general's office, pulled up to the PX, and parked [he nondescript, olive-drab Chevy OUl from. I looked around at the various soldiers there. Most were enlisted men wearing standard-issue fatigues. Then I noticed a shorr, chubby man in officer greens sitting on a bench off to the side. He was so shan that his feet didn't even seem ro reach the ground, and he sat quieriy swinging them back and forth like a child. I walked over and when I gO[ close enough, I confirmed from his namctag that he was Lr. Calley. I walked up, saluted, and presented myself in official OCS fashion. "Lr. Calley, sir! OC Adams, 58th OC Company, sir! I'm assigned to be your driver, sir! May I assist you, sir!" Calley looked uncomfortable, his eyes darting from side to side. "Quiet down," he answered. "Don't yell au( my name around here, damn it. You'll have them reporters on us. Hell, Seymour Hersch'lI jump our of that garbage can. JUSt get me to the car, and let's get Out of here." J led him to the car and opened the back door for him. "Go on, get behind the wheel. Can open my own door," he said slid- [54.227.136.157] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 11:37 GMT) ing over on the seat and taking off his hat. ~What you doing driving me? Usually send the company clerk or somebody from the mess hall." "Sir, OC Adams. The company clerk reported in sick, sir!" I yelled out. "At ease, at ease, candidate. Shit, JUSt about forgonen all this OCS bull~ shit. You just take it easy, buddy. Your first name?" "Jeff, sir." "Ease up, Jeff. Call me Rusty. Just about had enough of...