I was in the Wing from 1969 to 1971, that was after bootcamp, ITR and avionics schools. We did have quarterly PFTs (Physical Fitness Test) in the Wing. These included the 3-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, etc., all for time. Your time bracket depended on your age and not rank. My fondest PFT memory was of a quarterly in 1970 at MCAS El Toro.
The 3-mile course was a winding continuous layout between the flight lines and the road leading to the hangers. The course had a hairpin turn at the extreme north end,essentially this was the turn around point. I loved running so I ran this course often just for kicks.
This particular morning was extremely foggy, so much so that you couldn't see the runners in front of you nor behind you. I was making good time coming up on the hairpin turn. At this point on the course the north bound lane and the south bound lane came within a few yards of each other. The devil was on my shoulder that morning cause what happened next was really not my idea! Looking ahead and behind me I couldn't see anyone and no one could see me in the thick fog. The devil spoke in my ear "Hard left bank!". My legs turned hard left and I felt the grass under foot for a few yards. The devil spoke again,"Hard left bank!" and I again felt the course under foot as I was now headed south toward the finish line having eliminated a few minutes off my time! But why? I was going to come in ahead of the deadline for my age without cheating… it was the devil!
Just as I'm asking myself, "Did I really just do that?". A hand comes out of the fog and grabs me by the shoulder! As I had stepped back on the course, in the fog I had popped up directly in front of a Gunny! The Gunny says, "You might as well quit running, I'm writing you up. I'll be waiting for you at the finish line." I swear I heard that devil laughing as he jumped off my shoulder! Well, I started walking instead of running. Guys were passing me and then it hit me… he didn't ask my name! That Gunny is from a shop far from my radar shop, he doesn't know me but I know him.
Off came my shirt, my cover and my glasses. I rolled everything up in ball and threw it in the ditch beside the course. On come my afterburners and now I'm sprinting for the finish line! I'm passing the guys that had passed me, including the Gunny! Man, how I loved to run! I made up all lost time and then some!
Crossing the finish line I finally stopped a few yards further and waited for the Gunny. Wheezing, panting and bending over holding both hands on my knees, I got right next to the Gunny, looked him right in the eyes and said, "Great run huh Gunny?". He grunted something and walked back to the finish line to wait for that no good SOB that he caught cheating.
Hey Gunny you can quit looking, I'm home now but thanks for the memories!
Semper Fi
Cpl David Martinez
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