GULAG?

This is coolbert:

Read about the "American GULAG".

NO, we are not talking about Guantanamo Bay [Camp X-Ray], or any of the "secret" prisons allegedly run the CIA.

We are talking here about the U.S. Army Special Training Companies. An institution set up by the U.S. Army in the late 1960's [was already in existence by 1966, when I took basic training]. A draft era phenomenon used during the Vietnam War.

Primarily were intended to bring overweight and very out-of-shape recruits into proper condition.

Troops, just inducted, that had been determined to be NOT able to do the normal everyday physical routines of the basic trainee.

Troops that would be put on a rigorous diet, supervised by a trained dietician, and prepared by a special mess hall. For the overweight but otherwise physically capable soldier to lose weight pronto.

Troops put through an intensive physical training regimen. To bring the troop, once again, pronto, to an adequate level of fitness. Able to pass the Army PT course. A LOT of pushups, running, etc. Take the PT test EVERY day until able to pass it.

[the course at that time consisted of five events. Grenade throw, horizontal ladder, low crawl, run-dodge-and jump, and one mile run.]

Troops that had drill instructors that were of the highest caliber. NOT abusive persons that would have a tendency to get carried away.

The author of "American GULAG" has exaggerated things, in my opinion. Those companies [probably maybe not numbering only about a platoon of troops at any given time], WERE NOT intended ONLY for homosexuals. Were primarily, as I have said, designed to assist overweight recruits pass the PT test. Were NOT for weeding out homosexuals that had been drafted.

Exaggeration seems to a trait common to the "cause" of the homosexual community. Much to their discredit. Such statements as, "40 % of American men have had an adult homosexual experience", or that "10 % of American men are homosexuals" is just bullshit. This author seems also to be no exception to the rule.

[Also, in the real GULAG, the Soviet GULAG, inmates were not expected to live. Were worked to death with the intention of all dying within an eight year span. A ten year sentence was a death sentence. In the Special Training Company, the idea was to make you lose weight, get you fit, and get you back to BASIC!! NOT kill you!!]

The article, however, is well written and IS amusing.

coolbert.