Finding My Way: A Memoir By Jerry Morton

Lenny's Reign is an account of infantry OCS training in the spring of 1967.  Jerry is pressured into smuggling a risque film into the platoon bay, concealing it despite a footlocker inspection and finally getting it off post.

Podcast 50, Make Way, is an account of the first weeks of infantry OCS in early 1967.  Jerry learns to navigate the daily routine and how to manage the harassment of a senior candidate.

Chowing Down is an account of Jerry's first meal of eating on the square and other unusual activities during the strange start of OCS in January 1967.

"Are There Any Questions?" is an account of the beginning of Infantry Officer Candidate training in January, 1967.  Jerry becomes platoon morale officer, learns about "eating on the square" and becomes oriented to the various OCS was of existing.

Odds and Ends is an account of the last week of advanced infantry training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama,  and Christmas vacation before starting Infantry Officer Candidate School,OCS, at Ft. Benning, Georgia, on January 11, 1967.

In the Field is an account of Jerry's introduction to army war games at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, in the fall of 1966, as part of his advanced infantry training.  He experiences the inherent fear of sentry duty, an encounter with the enemy and a lesson in civil rights.

Part two of podcast 38, Soldier Skills, is a continuation of podcast 38, part one.  The skills described in part two include the use of a gas mask, the use of a compass, guard duty and interacting with officers.  Jerry encounters problems in this learning process.

Soldier Skills, part one of two parts, is an account of the army's teaching Jerry the skills required of a soldier during the eight weeks of basic training in the fall of 1966 at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.  Those skills included hand-to-hand fighting and bayonet training. Jerry's frustrations produced unique behaviors.

In August of 1966,Jerry begins basic training in the army.  He struggles through an obstacle course, fails his first inspection and barely passes the first PT test.

Advanced Infantry Training, part two, is an account of Jerry's attempts to cope with unexpected events such as lots of ammo to burn off and a gift of free time that provides insights into race relationships.

Advanced Infantry Training Begins is an account of various training experiences Jerry encountered at Ft. McClellan in the late fall of 1966.  Jerry's attempts to cope with unexpected situations did not always produce the results he intended. This is the first of two podcasts for this title.

Settling In is an account of arriving and becoming adjusted to Ft. McClellan, Alabama's Advanced Infantry Training, AIT, in the late fall of 1966.  Jerry learned that the fort was home to the army's Chemical Warfare School and the Women's Army Corps', WAC, training center. Ft. McClellan had just started the infantry training program.

Here to There is an account of Jerry's train trip from Ft. Dix, New Jersey, to Ft. McClellan, Alabama, where he will begin Advanced Infantry Training, AIT.  Jerry finds himself suddenly in a leadership position and then he is not.

Graduation is an account of the final weeks of basic training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, in October, 1966.  Jerry experienced conflict, stress and relief during those weeks.

Rifle Qualification is an account of Jerry's insecurities in preparation for the rifle qualification test near the end of basic training in the fall of 1966, and the results of his performance.

Misunderstandings is a account of various misunderstandings Jerry encountered during basic training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, in the fall of 1966. Among other things the misunderstandings led to a barracks fist fight, consistent rule breaking and the consequences of "breaking the chain of command."

Jerry's perceived failure places him at a specific time and place that has life changing consequences.

Your Weapon is an account of the army's way of teaching beginners in basic training about their weapon, the M-14 rifle, in September 1966. Jerry learns how to do rifle drills, fire his weapon and clean and maintain it. An accident on the firing range emphases the inherent danger of having a loaded weapon.

Jerry's attempts to obtain the best opportunities for entering the military involved a series of tests both before entering the army and at the beginning of basic training in August of 1966.

In August of 1966, Jerry arrives at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, to start his year of army training.  It does not begin as he expected.