SGT Lien Crum, U.S. Army (1987-1997)

There are many “war” stories I could tell, but this one is the one that I remember the most. It was one month before my 21st birthday that I found myself in Basic at Ft. Dix, NJ. It didn’t take long for me to learn that compared to Ft. Jackson, we were privileged to be assigned to “Fort Disneyland.” Yea right! For me, BC was a mental and physical challenge. I went through a very sheltered lifestyle. I was in for a rude awakening when I was faced with a whole new world of perseverance and survival.

It was a cold winter’s day. We got up at “oh-dark thirty”, went through our morning routine, had chow and all geared up for a road march. It was always “hurry and wait” throughout the road march to the obstacle course. There’s one obstacle that I will never forget called “the wall”. It was basically climbing up the cargo nets to the top, then down the other side. Simple, right? Not for someone who is terrified of heights! That someone is me! I don’t know how many Hail Marys or Our Fathers I prayed before it was my turn, because I just knew this challenge would take all mental and physical strength. I had to get myself up and over that obstacle! I remember thinking that the faster I went, the quicker I could get it done and over with, so my psyche was motivated and ready to face that challenge. I was doing so well until I got halfway, then my legs felt like lead, they wouldn’t move. The motivation wore-off and my legs started wobbling like crazy. My will and intentions stayed but my confidence dissipated. My anxiety and frustration built up inside and the more I tried not to cry, I did. I looked up and only saw the brim of Drill Sgt. Gibbs. It blocked the bright sun, but I could see the sunrays peaking around his outline as he yelled at me, “Who’s boo-hooing in MY platoon?!” I froze and murmured, “me, X-703, drill sgt.” He demanded, “Sound-off private… Get that little man deep inside you and sound-off, private!!” So, I bellowed, “X-ray seven oh three, Drill Sargent!” After he realized who I was, he said some choice words and scared me with his command to report to him ASAP. It’s something about a drill sargeant’s voice that makes basic trainees do the once impossible to possible. Suddenly, I gained the motivation and will to climb the rest of the way up and over that darn obstacle.

That day, I redeemed myself and realized that the impossible doesn’t have to be impossible. With a little faith in myself and willpower, I can conquer any challenge that I face from that point forward.

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