Apprentice teacher and the Army: part 1 by thadeusz

---

This story is divided in two parts for techinical reasons. Please read part 1 first.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was not a brilliant student. I chose to prepare for a BAC, highschool diploma in France, in the field of literature because it was considered as an easier one. I got my BAC, but barely and after a second session exam in July. I had decided to study to become an elementary school teacher, again because I thought it was easier.

I was aged 18 when I got my BAC. By the way my name was and still is Tom Clarens. When this adventure started, I was still living with my parents. My father was a civil servant working at a low level in a post office, my mother was a strong woman who took all the decisions at home. She did not like my choice of studies but she could not change it.

In my new school, I met a charming girl, Moira Volin and we fell in love. She especially liked my very long blond hair falling down to my shoulders. That was good for me: I had nearly no money to spend outside my home and haircuts could be expensive.

I got a pass for each of my first year exams, but just a pass: I was definitely not very motivated to study hard. On the contrary, Moira got an excellent average. Anyway, we had both access to the second year and we spent great holidays together.

I was less motivated for my second year (the complete set of studies consisted of three years at the University). I studied a lot with Moira, when I studied. But I did not study well. At the end of the year Moira again got an excellent average but I did not get the minimum to have a pass in 2 of our 9 courses. As a consequence, I was not admitted in third year.

Moira told me that nothing was lost: "You can study these two courses during the summer holidays. I will help you. At the end of the holidays, you will again take these exams and then you will get a pass."
But I refused. I was upset by Moira’s success compared to my failure to reach the third and final year. As a consequence I decided to try to find a job, as my mother required. I also followed my mother’s advice and broke up with Moira.

I realized very quickly that finding a job for someone with my lack of qualification was very difficult. I explained that to my mother, but she told me that she wanted me to work "for real" and bring some money home. If I was really unable to do so, she promised to throw me out of HER home. My father had not been consulted !

I went for a walk and I met a friend. He described a new program, created by the state in order to give more qualifications and more jobs to people in my situation:
"This program consists of enlisting for one single year in the ''Voluntary Military Service", abbreviated SMV in French. It does not imply enlisting in the Army, but simply it implies accepting living according to military discipline for 8 months during which a special training will be given to you in order to let you easily find a job. They will even find jobs specially for you."

At least that’s what my friend told me.

I immediately went to the office where the formalities could be done and there, I met a kind NCO, Staff Sergeant Lagrange. He explained me how the program was conceived:
"This SMV is a program for school dropouts who don’t find a job. The Army gives them clean clothes so that they can go and be neatly dressed. The Army also provides them with a room where they can comfortably rest and sleep. We also give these dropouts a few military habits so they behave decently and then they get good practical courses which lead them to a decent job. Do you want to join ?"
"Yes" was my bitter reply, bitter because of my mother who was chasing me out of my own house.
"In that case you better get used to calling me Staff Sergeant and to say ‘YES Staff Sergeant’ in a polite but energetic way. Ready for that ?"
"YES Staff Sergeant'' was my now enthusiastic reply. In fact I did not know any of the details of that new program, but I was ready to sign everything he would give me in order to be free from my studies and from my mother. Father was nonexistent for me and Moira … nearly forgotten.
The Staff Sergeant started then to ask me some questions:
"How old are you ?"
"20."
"Same mistake : the correct answer is ‘20, Staff Sergeant’. But for this time I will forget your mistake. By the way, 20 is a nice age: you are an adult and can join all by yourself. Congratulations my boy. Tell me your name now."
"Tom Clarens, Staff Sergeant."
"Good, but if you are accepted you will say ‘CLARENS Tom’ loudly. Understood ?"
"YES, Staff Sergeant."
"How far did you go at school, Clarens ?"
"I have a BAC and I started to study to become an elementary school teacher, Staff Sergeant."
The words "Staff Sergeant" came easily now and I really tried to please this kind NCO since I hoped to be accepted in their program, but he asked with a booming voice:
"AND, Clarens ?"
"Well, I got a pass for my first year but I failed two courses for the second year, so I want to stop studying, Staff Sergeant."
"That changes everything, Clarens. You are NOT a school dropout even if you failed your second year. Are you sure you want to join our program ?"
"YES, Staff Sergeant. In any case my mother has thrown me out of the house and I have nowhere to go since I broke up with my girlfriend."
"Do you know about the EXPERT program ?"
"No, STAFF SERGEANT," and I insisted on the Staff Sergeant, really wishing that he would take me now.
"There are several kinds of people who come to our VMS. The real dropouts are called ‘volunteers’ but the people like you can easily become, after two months special training, ‘expert volunteers’. If you sign for that, you will have a one year contract and a better pay as soon as you are recognized as an ‘expert’. Your job would then be a nice one: you might be serving as assistant trainer. Do you know the difference ?"
"NO, Staff Sergeant."
"As a Simple Volunteer you will get an 8 months contract. You will receive food, clothing and lodging plus 350 Euros every month. You will have math and French classes and you will be trained for a simple job. As an Expert Volunteer you will get a 12 months contract, the same food, clothing and lodging but 650 Euros every month. Your job will be to train the Simple Volunteers in French and Math plus military discipline, the discipline which will help YOU and which YOU will learn during your two first months. What do you choose now, CLARENS ?"
"Staff Sergeant, I would like to apply for a contract as an expert."
"Good choice CLARENS. Sign here on the dotted line" and he showed me an application form which he had completed while I gave him all my details. I signed without reading it: everything had been clearly explained by the Staff Sergeant.

The Staff Sergeant told me then that my application would be examined and that an acceptance or refusal letter would be sent to my home address within 8 days. That’s when I told him that I did not know where I would be the coming night since my own mother had thrown me out. This intelligent and kind man offered to let me sleep at his home until a place in a refuge had been found for me.

I slept at his place only during one night. He organized then a transfer towards a decent temporary shelter where I got a place to sleep and wash, and what is needed to wash. It was not elegant, but it was a place where I could sleep like the beggar that I had temporarily become. I took great care to clean my clothes as well as possible.

Now that a decision concerning my future had been taken, I chose to contact Moira once more. We reconciled and Moira invited me to her parents' place: I could sleep there as long as I had not started my new contract. We did all sorts of things together and as a result I did not study further the kind of contract I had signed.

Exactly 8 days later, I received a letter inviting me to join the Voluntary Military Service as a candidate Expert. The date of my incorporation into the Voluntary Military Service regiment was fixed for next Monday. It was mentioned in that letter that I only needed clothes for going there. I would receive a uniform and I would have to wear it as long as I was under my contract. All the rest, including toothbrush, comb and brush would be provided during the incorporation process. I nevertheless went to my parents home and informed them of my decision. I also took a bag with three sets of undies, an additional and comfortable pair of shoes and most important I put on my best clothes. I left home knowing it could be for good: my father was rather sad but my mother was really happy about my departure.

On my "invitation letter", there was only a date, an hour and an address. I could have easily guessed that the building where I had to go was an Army barracks since the whole program was run by the Army, but I really did not even try to guess where I would be during the next year. I easily reached the address mentioned in my "invitation letter". At the entrance, there was a first surprise: there was a big gate in a tall wall under the French flag, but the gate was closed. There was only a small opening in this gate and this opening was provided with solid bars. Every time a new candidate wanted to enter, he or she had to ask and show his letter. After that the small opening was opened by a guard in Army uniform, the candidate could enter and the door was immediately closed as soon as this candidate was inside. This made me slightly shiver when I passed this door: I felt that I was now a new prisoner.

I was controlled: I had to show my letter and some identity papers which were immediately placed in a big khaki bag with my name on it. My watch, my money and my phone were also taken away and placed in the same bag. In exchange for my precious documents, I received a plastic bracelet with a tag to be worn "temporarily" on my left wrist instead of my watch. On it, the following was written: "CLARENS Tom - candidate EV"

As soon as I was inside, a soldier told me to follow him with my khaki bag. This soldier had "Torgat" printed on his nametag. I later learned that he was only apparently a soldier, but in fact an actual Expert Volunteer (called EV) enlisted one year exactly before me. This EV took me to a hall where he told me to undress, keeping only my underpants, and to place my clothes with the rest of my belongings in my big khaki bag. He led me then, in underpants but without any shoes, to a small room with two chairs: the barbers’ room. I obediently sat on one of the chairs and a barber with "Dorion" on his nametag started to comb and organize my hair a bit. Until then my hair was long, falling down on my shoulders and hiding my ears which I considered too big to be nice.

Suddenly, the barber, I thought then he was a Corporal, placed his left hand on the top of my head and started to shave my head with noisy clippers. I told him:
"Please don’t make it too short, I don’t want to show my ugly ears. My girlfriend would not like that."
But he replied:
"You are in the Army now, my boy. You are going to have your hair cut according to Army rules. In any case, your girlfriend won’t see you for a long time."
I did not know what Army rules were as far as haircuts were concerned but I kept quiet because I did not want to be expelled at the very start of my training. I nevertheless shivered once again when I realized that I was now only "an Army object" and that I would have to stay far from Moira "for a long time".

The Corporal went on, keeping his left hand on my head and starting to plow with his clippers through what I must confess was a very neglected mane. There was no mirror so I could not see what he was doing, except that I saw big strands of hair falling on my undies. These big strands made me think of the regrets Moira would have the first time she would see me and automatically, thinking of Moira made my penis grow harder. This was very visible since I only had my underpants and the barber told me:
"You seem to like being shorn like a sheep, Recruit. In this case, I will give you more of it."
The barber pushed my head brutally backwards to have an easier access to my forehead and he plowed more while I kept silent. He went on while pushing my head slightly to the left in order to have an easy access to my right side. He then turned my head to the right so that he could keep working on my left side without having to move. I still could not see the damage, but considering the lots of hair that were now on my undies, I assumed that it was a lot. Finally the barber pushed my chin towards my chest until it really touched the chest. He then started to work on the back of my head. He then told me:
"Raise your head, Recruit. I will now clean your ears and the rest of your skull".
I obeyed and he started to "clean", according to his words, what was left on my head.
The barber then gave me an order:
"Pass a hand all over your head and tell me what you feel."
I did as he had said and I told him:
"Sir, I only feel stubbles, and only very tiny ones. By places I feel that nothing is left of my hair."
Other candidates EV passed by and looked bewildered at my new haircut. They all looked relatively fine with a very short buzz cut. This was apparently not my case.
That’s when the barber explained:
"Listen boy, you are in the Army now, even if it is only as a Volunteer. You must learn that in the Army, one does not ask for a favor such as a ‘not too short haircut’. Favors must first be gained. Before that, you must simply obey silently. That’s why I gave you a special haircut."
"Corporal, I apologize for what I asked you to do and I thank you for this haircut and for this lesson."
"Recruit, one never apologizes in the Army. If you have done something wrong, you accept the consequences in silence. But the thanks are accepted. By the way, it is Master Corporal Dorion and not Corporal. Go now Recruit Clarens but don’t forget to come back every week."

I never forgot this lesson … and the price the bald boy I was now had to pay for it.

Expert Volunteer Torgat (abbreviated as EV Torgat) regrouped the new volunteers he was supposed to lead and told us to follow him. We all reached a relatively big hall, my new colleagues with their short buzz cut and me with my new baldy. There we were told to take off what remained of our clothing and throw it away in order to take a shower: we were then completely naked, which was completely new for me, even for a shower. I had never been naked in public. But were the other volunteers still "public" ? I also knew that we would go through all this together, but I did not know more.

The shower was a common one, not even one with several cubicles as I had expected. I did not expect that public nudity, but I realized that I better kept quiet about this. We all took a good shower with a lot of soap followed by a "detail inspection". After that we received our uniform and EV Torgat told us to put it on immediately.

I had expected that there would be a sort of uniform, but I was surprised by the nature of my new clothes: this uniform looked like a real soldier’s uniform, except that we did not have a beret but a jungle hat. Our leader, EV Torgat, was wearing an elegant forage cap. He also had a red stripe with three black marks on his chest and another similar stripe on his left sleeve.

I got dressed with my companions. Each of us had as of now three sets of "duty uniform", two uniformly green overalls for "chores" and one set of "parade uniform". The difference was that the duty uniform was in rather rough cloth and provided with multicolored spots, a sort of digital colorization, while the very elegant parade uniform was in a fine but solid cloth of a uniform khaki color. The parade uniform was also provided with a black tie. Besides that difference, they were nearly identical. As far as shoes were concerned, I was no longer allowed to wear mine. I got two pairs of high and black duty boots for everyday, one pair of sport shoes for the sport exercises and one pair of elegant black shoes for the possible future leaves. With that each received what was needed to make his bed: all these beds had to be made in the military way and should seem to be identical.

As soon as we had received all our clothes, Torgat led us to our rooms. I had naively assumed that each of us would have his own small room in order to have at least some privacy. It was totally different: there were three rooms foreseen for us, each with six beds. Next to each bed was a cupboard and near the window there was a table, only one for all of us ! EV Torgat showed us how to make our bed in what he called "a military way" and told us to do so immediately. We quickly obeyed. We also placed all our new things in the cupboards according to Torgat’s instructions. We were all in uniform and that changed our way of reacting to orders. I must confess that, after the first shock of the common shower, I was rather pleased with my new situation.

We were all rapidly ready, since EV Torgat kept shouting "Faster Recruits, Faster." He told us then to march "in step", but carefully added "if possible already" to the main hall. There we found the 4 girls who were following the same training as we, boys, but who had taken other paths through the barracks. An officer, Captain Lander, was waiting for us. This officer explained the complete program. First period, one month: basic military preparation and fast military training. This was followed, if successful, by the reception of our forage caps. Second period, one month again: training as a specialized military trainer. Captain Lander even mentioned the words "like a sort of Corporal training". Final period of our contract: working as assistant cadre. If we were successful, we would receive a special certificate opening the gates to work as a trainer of young people. Getting a driver license was foreseen during the second period ! But the Captain also warn us:
"Discipline is essential. Cleanliness also. For each problem, you will get a ‘warning’. Whenever you have two warnings, you are sent to the brig for the following night: don’t forget that you are in the Army now, even if it is only for a short period. If you have too many warnings, you will not become full EV but you will be sent to the next group of simple Volunteers and you will have to start there again with them. UNDERSTOOD ?"

One of us, Martin, seemed frightened and asked whether he could quit immediately. The Captain replied severely:
"Failing is not an option, so you are not allowed to leave the Army before the end of your contract. It is only your permanent failures that will lead me, and me only, to force you to start again. And again if needed. UNDERSTOOD. If needed your contract will be extended to make proper training possible."

These words frightened all of us, I think. But I had already been so often frightened that I accepted my new situation and decided to do my best.

I also learned that we had to listen in the position of attention and salute the officer as soon as he arrived or left.

EV Torgat led us then to another very big hall where some tables were already ready for an evening meal. The meal was organized simply: each of us took a special tray and went through a counter where he or she took what he wanted to eat. We sat freely on one of the tables and ate. The grub was good and while eating, we started making friends. Boys and girls were together. I felt very comfortable, nearly forgetting my uniform and the place where we were. I had just started my desert, an apple, when EV Torgat shouted:
"ATTENTION !"
We all looked at him and then one of us stood up and the others, me included, followed. EV Torgat continued:
"You are now recruits. Eating time is up. Take your tray and place it on the exit counter."
That reminded me, and probably all of us, that we were now Volunteers in the Army, subject to military discipline. Once again, I felt very cold. For the first time I wondered : "what did I do when I signed up for this ?"

EV Torgat and another EV made us march towards our rooms, Torgat led the boys and the other EV led the 6 girls. We automatically tried to march in step.

As soon as we had reached the level of our rooms (the girls slept one floor higher) our leader told us:
"You have now two hours to prepare your things for tomorrow. This includes cleaning all your clothes. At 21:00 I will come and inspect you all. At 22:00 it will be lights out. Reveil will be tomorrow at 05:30. GO Recruits."

We all started in a sort of frenzy to clean our clothes (which were still very clean) and our shoes (which had to be shining the next morning) and we got ready for the evening inspection. Everything went well, with a few remarks by our leader. I started to relax a bit.

After that, we had nearly an hour to exchange our impressions about our first day, but we were no longer allowed to leave our room. Suddenly I realized that I would have to sleep with 5 other guys, guys I did not know very well yet. I used to sleep alone in my room (or in Moira’s room with her). I had never attended a scout camp, or anything like it where boys sleep in the same room. I had no pajamas and did not know what I should do. Luckily one of my roommates told me:
"Hurry up, Torgat will be back. Get out of your uniform."
"But I have no pajamas."
"Sleep then in your undies, or do as I do: I sleep naked."
I chose the undies solution and jumped in my bed just before EV Torgat turned off the light. I felt very uncomfortable. But, I was tired and eventually, I fell asleep.

The next morning was brighter. EV Torgat came at 05:30 and woke us up. The program was simple and would remain the same during one full month, Sundays included. First cleaning our room and getting ready, then sport followed by military drill. After that a short rest for lunch (severely timed by our EV) followed by courses about the military ranks and military discipline, more sport and more military exercises.

I did not mention the fact that every other Saturday, each of us had to go to the Barber. The first time I went back there, I saluted all Barbers present and asked, in as many military ways as I could, if Master Corporal Dorion could shave my hair. This Master Corporal looked at me and said:
"Not yet learned your lesson and still asking for favors, Recruit Clarens."
But I replied:
"Master Corporal, this Recruit knows he should not ask for a favor, but after his first headshave he thinks that being shaved again by this master Corporal would be an honor."
The Master Corporal smiled and told me to come next on his chair. There he did not ask me what type of haircut I wanted, nor did he say what type of haircut he was going to give me. He simply gave me another baldy and I saluted him in the most military way as only thanks.

I must confess here that I was the first of our group to get a "warning". One day, coming back from a tiring exercise including ramping in the mud, I felt so tired that as soon as I had had my dinner, I jumped in my bed and fell asleep. The next morning, during inspection, EV Torgat discovered the hidden dirty uniform and gave me a first "warning". Two days later, he observed (rightfully) that my bed was not really made according to military standards i.e. all angles perfectly square and the covers and cushion placed in a well defined position on top, according to french tradition. As a result, I got a second "warning" and was ordered to go to the brig instead of going to supper that evening. I felt very bad, confined in a little cell with only a plank to sleep on it. My dinner had been reduced to bread and water. I spent a good part of the night thinking about the bad path I was on ! I then decided to remedy this situation.


After that incident, I introduced in my own routine a special part: as soon as we were back from supper, I immediately changed into my overall and threw my day uniform plus the overall of the previous day in one of the big washing machines placed at our disposal. While the machine functioned I rushed to clean my boots in order to make them really shiny. I then went back to the washing machines and took my uniform to the dryer and after that I ironed everything. It took me at first a lot of time but after a good week I became able to do all this with closed eyes and while I discussed the day's work, or about another subject, with my roommates who soon became my friends. Taking care of my clothes was rapidly ingrained in me and I did not lose this habit since then.

I carefully observed Martin’s behavior. This was the guy who wanted to leave on the first day. He was obviously lost and could not get organized. He got many "warnings" and spent several nights in the brig. I also observed that another Volunteer, Peter, from another room, behaved in the same bad way. I tried to explain to them what they should do to have a more comfortable stay in what they considered as a dreadful place: the barracks. I must say that they looked at my example, copied my organized behavior and were no longer punished.

This basic training lasted for a full month. At the end we were all congratulated by the Colonel commanding the base, except two Volunteers of room 12 (not my room) who were told that they had to either become better Volunteers during the second month of training, their last chance, or be forced to stay as Simple Volunteers. I was glad when I realized that Martin and Peter were not among the threatened ones. On the contrary: they had adopted my technique and my routine and were able to perform their cleaning chore without thinking about it.

We then had a full week-end rest, but we had to remain permanently inside the barracks and thus in uniform. We had also received our first pay (we were then paid as Simple Volunteers). I had had access to my phone for 15 minutes and I had thus warned Moira who came to visit me "in my prison" as she said. I told her that I did not consider the barracks as a prison but as a good training place. She made me promise never to become a real soldier. As far as I was concerned, I was rather pleased to have learned at least one thing: how to organize my work: I started to have the military routine ingrained in my system.

Something must be mentioned here. Every week, according to the rules, I went to the Barbers office. There, Master Corporal Dorion energetically renewed my baldy. When I arrived at this place, on the day before this first ceremony, the Master Corporal asked me as usual:
"How do you want your hair today ? Not too short as usual ?"
I assumed he expected me to reply as I usually did after the lesson he gave me on my first day:
"As you seem fit for me, Master Corporal."
But on the very day before my first "promotion" inside the Volunteers, he changed his reaction and said:
"I can no longer give a baldy to someone who will soon be promoted to EV."
He then started to define a horizontal line above my ears and he carefully shaved the sides of my head. That implied that as before he turned my head and pushed it on one shoulder and then on the other to have a good reach. He also pushed my head in order to have my chin on my chest and have thus a good access to my nape. He cleaned with another set of clippers everything around my ears, which were no longer hidden, and under my nose in order to make any trace of a mustache disappear. He finally redressed my head, told me to look straight forward, and put some gel on the top of my head. He gave me then a kind slap on the top of my head while saying:
"That’s enough for today. We will keep working on your High and Tight next week, young Recruit."
He had no longer given me a baldy and I was so astonished that I dared aske:
"Master Corporal, you don’t give me a baldy anymore ?"
And his reply made me blush:
"We cannot give a baldy to a future EV who helped two other candidates so well. GO NOW !"

During the second month, we learned how a superior must address a lower ranking soldier (or in our case, Volunteer). We also learned what our job would be as trainers of Simple Volunteers, and that was not as easy as I had thought since we had to motivate them constantly. Some of us, and I was one of them, had the opportunity to get their driving license. At the end of the month, I was more a routinely trained soldier, rather than a simply well trained Volunteer.

Just before the end of this second month, three volunteers were called to the office of the Colonel commanding the whole regiment. They were Paul from room 11, Robert from room 13 and … me from room 12. There was also Maria from room 21. We were rather anxious and in front of the Colonel’s office we adjusted our uniforms and checked the polish of our boots. As soon as we entered, the atmosphere changed. The Colonel was accompanied by Captain Lander and by the two NCOs who had taken care of us. All the EVs who had taught us how to behave decently in the barracks were present. The Colonel told us:
"There will be four groups of future Simple Volunteers as of Monday. I need four leaders. Following the advice of your officer, your NCOs and your EVs, you are the most adapted to military life among all future EVs of the present levy. I have thus chosen you as leaders for the next levy. You will soon get your forage cap and become EVs. But before that you deserve congratulations."
All present saluted the four of us. As far as I was concerned, I became very red in the face, not knowing what I should or would say: I had simply followed orders and I had adapted to the behavior required from us.

The next day, there was a great ceremony during which the Colonel gave each of us his forage cap and fixed a red stripe (with black marks) on our left sleeve and on the front of our parade uniform. This was the sign of our new rank: Expert Volunteer. The Captain placed then (with a solid "slap") a round badge with the emblem of "our regiment": 1 RSV on the top of our left sleeve. 1 RSV meaning first regiment of voluntary service. This made us in a way real soldiers, something I wanted to avoid, but I must confess that I was mighty proud of this event: my first positive achievement since I dropped out of my teacher training school.

Moira was of course present during this ceremony which was a feast for most of us. Some only were left in a corner, without a forage cap and without red stripes: the three boys and the two girls who failed "to make the grade". They were left there in order to start on the next day to be trained as simple Volunteers since they had not been judged good enough to train others.

---