Forrest Gump

By Reggie's Take on July 17, 2011

Drill Sergeant: Gump! What’s your sole purpose in this army?

Forrest Gump: To do whatever you tell me, drill sergeant!

Drill Sergeant: Goddammit, Gump! You’re a goddamned genius! Thats the most outstanding answer I have ever heard. You must have a goddamn I.Q. of 160. You are goddamned gifted, Private Gump. Listen up, people…

Forrest Gump: [narrating] Now for some reason I fit in the army like one of them round pegs. It’s not really hard. You just make your bed real neat and remember to stand up straight and always answer every question with “Yes, drill sergeant.”

Drill Sergeant: …Is that clear?

Forrest Gump: YES, DRILL SERGEANT!

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: You must be my F.N.G.’s.

Bubba and Forrest Gump: Morning’, sir!
[They salute]

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: Ho! Get your hands down. Do not salute me. There are goddamned snipers all around this area who would love to grease an officer. I’m Lieutenant Dan Taylor. Welcome to Fourth Platoon. [Lieutenant Dan looks at Bubba] What’s wrong with your lips?

Bubba: I was born with big gums, sir.

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: Yeah, well, you better tuck that in. Gonna get that caught on a trip wire. Where you boys from in the world?

Bubba and Forrest Gump: Alabama, sir!

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: You twins?

Forrest Gump: No, we are not relations, sir.

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: Look, it’s pretty basic here. You stick with me, you learn from the guys who been in country awhile, you’ll be right. There is one item of G.I. gear that can be the difference between a live grunt and a dead grunt. Socks, cushion, sole, O.D. green. Try and keep your feet dry when we’re out humpin’. I want you boys to remember to change your socks wherever we stop. The Mekong will eat a grunt’s feet right off his legs. Sergeant Sims! Goddamnit, where is that sling-rope I told you to order?

Forrest Gump: [narrating] Lieutenant Dan sure knew his stuff. I felt real lucky he was my lieutenant. He was from a long, great military tradition. Somebody in his family had fought and died in every single American war. I guess you could say he had a lot to live up to.

Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: So, you boys are from Arkansas, huh? Well, I’ve been through there. Little Rock’s a fine town. Now, go shake down your gear, see the platoon sergeant, draw what you need for the field. If you boys are hungry, we got steaks burnin’ right here. Two standing orders in this platoon. One, take good care of your feet. Two, try not to do anything stupid, like gettin’ yourself killed.

Forrest Gump: I sure hope I don’t let him down.