[Leica] RETROSPECT 6

[Bill Clough]

USA

TEZAS

VICTORIA


Hi there –


   In late 1961 I took a semester off from college to be the news editor of
the Amarillo Citizen. I lost my college deferment; no problem, no one was
being drafted.


   Then came the Cuban Missile crisis. A member of the draft board told me
I better join something because I would not like the alternative.


   I have loved aviation all my life. But this child, who once got seasick
on a ship in drydock, joined the Naval Reserve. Go figure.


Unlike today, in 1961 the U.S. Naval Reserve actively was seeking
membership. I was granted permission to do a photo agency of boot camp. As
far as I know, I was the first recruit ever granted permission to carry a
camera during training.


   By pure coincidence, the commander of our company – number 5017 – was
from Amarillo. Convenient.


This cloudy, early-morning shot of a recruit with too many hours and too
little sleep, seems to capture the mood of the entire two weeks.


http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Bill1941/RETROSPECT/Boot+Camp_+San+Diego_+1962+-+00120.jpg.html


– Bill