On 9/19/13 6:57 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:


"Califbill" wrote in message
...


wrote:
On Wed, 18 Sep 2013 20:35:53 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" nowayalso.jose.com
wrote:

If the screening done before joining worked, people with mental
illnesses or potential mental instability wouldn't be in the military
in the first place.
Problem is, diagnosing mental issues is not as straightforward as
looking for flat feet. I remember my pre-enlistment physical in
Boston.
They spent all day doing all kinds of physical tests. Then you go
into a room and sit down with a shrink. He asks you five or six
questions, then yells, "Next". Took about 5 minutes, if that.


I never talked to a shrink and my induction physical was in boot camp,
after I was signed up. Maybe that was because I was not drafted.
Pre induction, the only tests I took were on knowledge, aptitude and
skill.

I took a draft physical. Before I was drafted.

---------------------------

Yeah, I am somewhat surprised at some of the other experiences people
have described when joining or being inducted.

I spent two days in Boston with a bunch of other people before we
"officially" raised our hands and took the oath. One day was dedicated
to the physical and dental exams. Typical hurry up and wait and it took
most of the day. The other day was for taking tests, which also lasted
for about 3 hours. After all that, we were taken in smaller groups
into some sort of ceremonial roomthat was decorated with flags,
historical pictures and other Navy related things. An officer (forget
what rank) in dress blues administered the oath and we became
government property.



I never head a pre-induction physical, so I listened to Alice's
Restaurant. I'm sure the guys on the "Group W" bench would have been a
lot of fun. The Group W bench in the song is, according to Wiki...

"...where those draftees wait who cannot be inducted except under a
moral waiver, then are rejected as unfit for military service. The
ironic punch line of the story is that, in the words of Guthrie, "I'm
sittin' here on the Group W bench 'cause you want to know if I'm moral
enough to join the Army, burn women, kids, houses and villages after
bein' a litterbug." The officer rejects Guthrie for military service,
declaring "we don't like your kind" and sending his fingerprints to the
FBI."