Initiate 2008 Poem by ivor or ivor.e hogg

Reveille sounds a trumpet call
Rise from your beds reluctantly
This wake up call applies to all.
Strident with authority.

We do things militarily.
You will now wash and shave your face
You signed on voluntarily
and now you have to earn your place.

A raw recruit’s of little use
still tainted by civilian ways
A subject for stripeys abuse.
Of sympathy there’s little trace,

For drill instructors have no hearts.
Their job to turn boys into men
Reveille sounds and the day starts,
Your protests must remain unspoken.

You’ll be harassed from morn til night.
Your only duty to obey.
Until you learn to get it right
and do things in the army way.

If you survive and make the grade.
One of the few the very few
to reach the passing out parade.
Your parents will be proud of you

Though it was tough you had enough
pride in yourself to stick it out.
Showed you were made of sterner stuff
than those who failed without a doubt.

You proved yourself to be a man
So wear your uniform with pride,
you earned the right. You know you can
succeed although you were sorely tried.

You did what you set out to do
achieved the goal you had in mind
You toughed it out and saw it through.
Now you can leave boot camp behind

In coming years you will recall.
When you must face the enemy
and see your fellow soldiers fall.
Your boot camp days nostalgically.

25-Aug-08

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