LT Scrounge...

Finally, Nui Dat. I gained another unofficial official title shortly after reaching Nui Dat. That would be "Scrounge Officer". It was my duty to come up with whatever the boys in the battery wanted or needed. One of my first assignments as Scrounge Officer was to locate some steaks for a cook out. Imagine having a "cook out" in Viet Nam. One of the things I learned growing up in the military is that the military, contrary to popular belief, is run by Sergeants Major. And it is good for Lieutenants to "suck up" to them. I accidentally, found a CSM that I had worked with at Ft. Bliss. and told him I needed 100 pounds of steak for some "combat troops". I left my trailer with him and went to the officers club in Vung Tau for lunch. When I returned I had a trailer packed with Ice and 150 pounds of steak and 150 lobster tails. He wouldn't take any money for it. So, I wound up with all the food plus all the money. I was a hero when I returned to Nui Dat.