Rank

Private First Class

Rank

I had been reduced in rank from an E-3 Private First Class to a Private E-2.

This was part of the punishment I received in my Article 15, from my second AWOL.

The Army felt that it was mandatory for my uniform to be correct.

So, I was taken along with my Class A uniform to a tailor.

The tailor was told to take my old stripes off and sew on the new lower rank.

Private E-2

It was kind of a low blow for me.

I had entered the Army as an E-3 Private First Class.

This was due to my four years of high school JROTC.

In Army Basic Military Training, I wore that rank from day one.

I was paid more money and given more responsibilities because of that rank.

My father was an E-7 Master Sergeant and my brother was an E-3 Airman First Class at the time.

Having those stripes was a source of pride.

I’d seen old war movies when stripes were ripped of a soldier’s uniform for misconduct.

I never thought it would happen to me that I would go backwards in rank.

I knew that as part of my court-martial sentencing I would be reduced in rank to Private E-1.

That seemed to be the standard punishment.

It seemed a little crazy to have the stripes swapped out, but the Army had regulations to uphold.

So, I had my uniform ready to go to trial, with one less stripe.

I made jokes out of everything most of the time, and this was no exception.

However, inside I was hiding my real feelings of shame.

The whole time knowing in about a week,

the other rank would be taken away….