great recap, indeed..
a bit different for me, but I saw the wrong light, enlisting for avionics..

took the OC test in BCT, and passed, even GT -wise. During AIT, put in for Flt WO, and did very well on the written, but tubed the vision test. then they offered me OCS. I had an old high school pal in there at the time, and he talked me into applying. Had a one-man board, a salty 0-4... got about a week's leave after AIT, then Fort Sill. Tube Arty. Fun..

bombed out after 17 weeks.. (danged Met Data)

"So, PFC Lumpkin, do you want to stay in the Arty as a corporal, or return to avionics as a PFC?"

"Where an I going"

"(.. heh-heh..) Where do you think you're going?"

"PFC, 35 Mike, thank you."

I had another high school pal who did three DG tours with the Corps. I wish I'd listened to him.