PANEL 4
BASIC TRAINING
Basic Training, sometimes referred to as “boot camp,” is designed to equip the newly enlisted with the mental and physical skills needed to succeed while in service. It is not uncommon for this to be the first time they are away from home. Veterans recalled having strong feelings about learning to comply with military protocol and adapting to operate as a unit versus as an individual. Being in a new place with a new mixture of people from completely different walks of life also added to the experience and made it more challenging.
Vic Ortiz (U.S. Navy, served 1990-1995), "It was quite the shock.” Saying goodbye to his family and girlfriend, "...I was like, ‘Oh man, this is real.’ And I just kind of broke down. I didn’t want to go. But I went in there, I did what I had to do and I’m just kind of in shock.”
Kattie Garcia (U.S. Marine Corps, served 2001-2005) recalled when she first arrived on base: “There were...three beautiful women standing – they were amazing. I mean, in their uniform, and they were just at parade rest while they were introducing them. And I was thinking, oh, it couldn’t be that bad. We’re sitting there, waiting for them to introduce the instructors. And they were talking about each of them. And the minute they closed the door, it was like Hell unleashed. And I was thinking these beautiful women, oh my God, they are so opposite of what they look. So that was very cool. But at the same time really, really scary because it was just so unexpected.”
Catalino Ramos O’Neill (U.S. Army, served 1969-1971): Catalino grew up in New York before enlisting in the Army, "Well, first of all, when I was in basic and advanced training, I was bilingual. And at that time, when I was in basic, I had a group of Puerto Ricans in the company that all they teach them is ‘Yes sir, No sir.’ And that was as far as their language, English language went. So I became a translator while in basic, and that just opened the door for me military-wise." 
Victor Ceja (U.S. Marine Corps, served 1953-1958), "About two hours after I got there, I said, ‘What did I do?’ Oh, it was just like you see in the movies... they’re yelling and pushing and all this kind of stuff. And really, I mean, they were really maltreating you. And this one guy says, ‘All you white trash over there.’ And he called these other – blacks – but he called them another name. He said, ‘Oh, get over there.’ So I didn’t know where to go. I’m brown. So he comes up, ‘What the hell are you waiting for?’ He said, ‘What are you?’ I said, ‘Mexican.’ ‘Get over there with that white trash.’" 
