Interview with William Hunter Bradford, October 9, 2020

00:00:00Fred Boyles: My name is Fred Boyles. Today is the 9th of October, 2020. And this is an interview with William Hunter Bradford, who goes by Hunter, for the Student Veterans Resource Center Veterans, Oral History Project at the University of Georgia. Hunter, tell us what year were you born, where were you born, where'd you grow up, go to school, all that kind of stuff.

00:00:34William Bradford: Yep. So, I was born in 1999. And I was born in Fort Collins, Colorado. And I lived there. I was raised there for a fair part of 18 years before I came out to Georgia. Went to school out in-- I went to school in the high school out there-- and like a nice, cushioned suburbia area. Then I came out to UGA-- and mostly just because my parents were UGA grads-- And I have a lot of family out here too. And I mean, Colorado's gorgeous. But I actually wanted to see a lot of things-- different, something different at least. And UGA just was a good fit.

00:01:21Boyles: So, you went-- Did you graduate from high school in Fort Collins?

00:01:26Bradford: Yes, I did.

00:01:27Boyles: And talk a little bit about your family and growing up-- and what, you know-- What'd you do in high school? That sort of thing.

00:01:37Bradford: Yeah. So, I came from a family of four. So, I was the oldest. And I have three other siblings: two brothers and one sister. Growing up-- I mean, it was, yeah-- I mean, it was a pretty traditional childhood. I mean, like mom and dad were great and stuff. But, yeah, no. It was-- I'm trying to think-- like a lot of outdoors stuff. I mean-- actually I didn't-- I wasn't much of a skier. But I definitely like camping, backpacking, snowshoeing. I mean, kind of always out there.

00:02:11Bradford: I wasn't really too much into like into video games-- or, I mean, really actually getting out and socializing with people. I just kind of found it best to just live life on my terms outside. So-- But yeah. And then growing up, you know, I would do stuff like that. I mean, I was a good student, you know. I always had like A's and B's and stuff.

00:02:36Bradford: I like working on projects-- like little DIY projects. I liked tinkering and building stuff all the time. For the longest while, I actually thought I was going to major in business and like finance or other things. But-- And I just, after like-- After a few years, I started realizing, you know, engineering definitely seems like more my strong suit. So after I applied to UGA, I switched from-- Before I attended my first classes, I switched from business to engineering. And now I'm still on that track and still enjoying it. So--

00:03:15Boyles: So-- Where does the military, come in?

00:03:19Bradford: So military came in about senior year. I think it was probably like-- probably when I really started looking through what I wanted to do with-- like, universities and going to college and stuff. And the biggest issue was, you know-- I mean, like, my family-- Like, we were pretty middle class, maybe lower middle class. But, I mean, like-- We didn't-- There wasn't a whole lot of financial assistance with college. And my parents didn't have-- like, from both FAFSA or my parents.

00:03:52Bradford: And so a lot of the issue was-- you know-- What am I going to do about college? I mean, I had a lot-- I had friends that were older. And they had siblings that were graduating with tons of debt. And a lot of it's-- They have some good schools. They're not bad. But, you know-- If you want to go out there-- If you want to go to school out there-- unless you have a scholarship-- you have to be prepared to just really conquer town on payments and loans. And you're kind of, you know, selling yourself out there. I mean, I-- When I grew up, I knew a lot of people that they lived out there. But they were-- I mean, they went to school out there. But I mean, it's expensive. It's really expensive.

00:04:31Bradford: So, then I started looking out of state. I kind of wanted to do something-- maybe like-- looking at other stuff. And, you know. I have a family group, like in Athens. So like, at least I had like a base point. And then the only change-- It was out in UGA. And I was actually looking at University of Florida too. They have a national-- They had a National Guard scholarship program. And so-- where they get-- If you served like X number of years and stuff, you could have your college paid for.

00:05:03Bradford: It's not like ROTC or anything. It's something different. It's called the Service Principal Loan out in Georgia. So I look into that a lot more. And you know, I really was like "OK, this is quite the best way to go about it." And-- You know, I wouldn't mind-- I wouldn't mind serving because my dad served. My granddad served. And so, I was like "OK, yeah. That's it sounds right. It sounds like it's a good option." I mean-- So, went through with it. And really haven't looked back since.

00:05:35Boyles: So, I want to follow up on-- So, you have a tie to Georgia-- a family tie. So yeah, you grew up in in Fort Collins and all. But what's the-- What's the tie to Georgia with the family?

00:05:52Bradford: So, both on my mom and dad's side-- Like, I have grandparents in Georgia. I have some grandparents near Valdosta and Statesboro. I don't know them that well-- It's on my dad's side. On my mom's side, I have my-- right-- Now it's just my grandma and a few aunts and an uncle in Athens, Georgia. And so-- Athens, Georgia is where UGA is. And I know them a lot better. They're really nice, sweet folk.

00:06:22Bradford: And so, when I was looking for places-- I kind of got tied up between UF and UGA. And the biggest thing was like, "Oh yeah-- the family aspect. If I ever needed anything-- If I wouldn't be completely alone. It's not like a complete start from scratch. So, UGA just seemed like the perfect-- Plus I've always been a Dawgs fan. So, it always helps.

00:06:48Boyles: Yeah, that's great. That's good. So, you joined the Georgia National Guard. Right?

00:06:58Bradford: Correct.

00:07:00Boyles: And when did you join?

00:07:04Bradford: I joined May 9th, 2018.

00:07:09Boyles: You remember the day, huh?

00:07:12Bradford: Yes, yes.

00:07:14Boyles: Okay. And so, walk us through what happens. Had you just graduated from high school-- or--?

00:07:23Bradford: No. So, I was actually about to graduate. I think I was about-- I was about like 20 days off or so. But yeah-- I was-- I remember I was like-- It's actually-- It's the end of the swim season. I swam during high school and stuff too. And I-- And I had to go through meds and go through everything. And I remember just talking about it. I was like, "Oh yeah-- I enlisted just the other day. And so now I'm in it for quite a few years."

00:07:54Boyles: What was the contract? How long?

00:07:56Bradford: So, just normal contract. So it's six years like active National Guard-- or like National Guard-- and then two years like-- just kind of like inactive. And then the scholarship--

00:08:08Boyles: The IRR.

00:08:09Bradford: Yeah. And then the scholarship-- I'm taking out the service cancel loan. If I want to get-- The way my schooling works out, if I want to get-- basically this requirement to serve two years after each loan-- or like two years after the last day, you take out loans. So, if I want to get all my schooling paid for, I'd have to take out like another year or two. So, that'd be closer to seven, maybe eight years. But, that's where I'm looking at right now.

00:08:43Boyles: So basically you're-- You're committed to being in the National Guard for a pretty good while. Then that's going to cancel out your loans. Is that right?

00:08:53Bradford: Yeah, yeah, correct.

00:08:55Boyles: So if all goes well, you can graduate-- Is that-- Am I understanding you're going to graduate debt-free with your tuition and fees paid for?

00:09:10Bradford: Correct, that is the plan.

00:09:12Boyles: So good deal.

00:09:14Bradford: Yeah, very good deal. Yeah. Plus, I got a good experience out of it.

00:09:19Boyles: Okay. So, you sign up. You go through the MEPS. Obviously, you got to go somewhere and report. And what happens there?

00:09:33Bradford: So, I signed up with MEPS. And are we talking about when I got out of training and stuff?

00:09:39Boyles: Yeah.

00:09:39Bradford: Okay. So I got out. And basically my first drill-- I was brand spanking new to UGA and everything. I think I finished my first week. And I go to my first drill. And we had a PT test. And that went great. I actually liked the PT test. I've always done well with that kind of stuff. And anyway-- But I remember very vividly-- There's a sergeant first class. She was like, "Oh yeah, you smoked that run. You must be really ready to go get deployed to Iraq."

00:10:16Bradford: And I was like, "Wait, what?" And she said, "Well--" She's like, "Yeah, the unit's deploying in a few months." And she's like, "No one told you?" I'm like, "No." And she's like, "Yeah." And so, that was really interesting. And by that time though, I was actually looking at doing ROTC. And 'cause I wanted to go officer for a little bit. And so after that, I kept debating, "Well, do I wanna go officer? Do I wanna get deployed? Do I wanna go officer? Do I wanna get deployed?" And I ended up thinking-- I was like, "I think I'd probably rather go officer." And at the time I was-- I thought like, "Okay, that sounds like a good option. Especially if I'm gonna be in for so long too." But yeah, that was kind of my first drill.

00:11:07Boyles: So you're drilling-- Do you go to basic training?

00:11:14Bradford: Yeah. I went to basic training all before-- AIT and basic training before drill.

00:11:20Boyles: I see. So, we need to back up that. You gotta tell us about basic training. Where does that happen? When is that? And where are you-- You know, what-- Tell us about that experience.

00:11:34Bradford: So, basic training happened in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. And that was-- It was during the summer. It was hot. They really-- I tell you, it wasn't that bad. I've heard like-- you know-- Everyone thinks it's really big and scary. But it's-- I mean, it's not that bad. It's not terrible. There's all about your mindset.

00:11:53Bradford: And then AIT was at Gulfport, Mississippi. I'm a carpentry and masonry specialist. So I'm a 12 Whiskey. And I worked on in Gulfport, Mississippi for a little over seven weeks. And I mean, that was-- It was-- It wasn't too bad either. I actually-- you know-- Like through it all, I think of it as almost like adult summer camp. It was just kind of like-- It's just all how you perceive it. Like, you can have a good time with it or you can whine about all you want. But whether you're there or not is-- I mean, I was stuck in for the ride. But it was a fun experience. And I graduated top of my class. Did well all throughout it. And then got out somewhere in late November.

00:12:39Boyles: So, basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. How long is that? And what's-- What's the best part of it? What's the worst part of it?

00:12:55Bradford: That was-- oh gosh-- How long was that? It was-- Was that 10 weeks? I forget. I think it was 10 weeks. Yeah. Best part about it was-- I mean, it's just like-- It's just the little stuff. I mean, like-- You'd be like-- If you-- For me, like-- I made like a few friends and stuff like that. And typically, they were actually older guys-- Cause they were upper twenties or so. They either graduated college or they either had kids or something. They're a little bit more steady.

00:13:28Bradford: And I always liked-- I was like hanging out with them cause like-- You know, something crappy would happen, something stupid. But you know, it was like-- They always-- Like, we always just kind of brushed it off and like laughed about it. It wasn't-- It wasn't anything like-- you know-- Some people can get butt hurt about it. But you know-- it's-- I mean, at the end of the day, it's-- I mean, it's not life, limb, or eyesight. So everything will be fine. But it was-- I think the little things was definitely-- It was definitely the fun part. I mean, there's definitely training moments where it was kind of fun. Like-- And definitely training moments where it's just kind of like-- You just have to either hurry up or wait or kind of look someone's poop. But whether or not, it wasn't too bad.

00:14:11Boyles: So you're-- What year are you there? I'm not sure we've even established that. Are you there in the summer of '18? Is that right?

00:14:21Bradford: Yeah, yeah. The summer of '18.

00:14:23Boyles: Summer of '18. And do you think that your outdoors experience growing up was a help to you in that sort of thing? Or, I mean-- You're kind of saying, "Oh, it wasn't a big deal." And seemed to be okay-- You know? Or was it just, you had a good attitude?"

00:14:49Bradford: Yeah, it-- I mean, yeah, thanks. I would say the biggest thing is like-- you know-- A lot of people will struggle with, I mean, like outdoor stuff. I mean, yeah. I mean, I guess it helped with like land navigation stuff. And I had a basic understanding of like the M4s and kind of like that stuff. I didn't know like all the specifics of the military. And so, I mean-- rank, I mean-- like what you, like all the different, I guess, blue book things that they hand out.

00:15:20Bradford: But no. I think one of the biggest things that kind of helped was-- You know, I swam and I did cross country for a good number of years. And no, it-- I mean, besides putting you-- putting me athletically in shape and keeping me in check with it-- You know, I kind of learned to like work with groups. And, you know-- I tell you, like the thing is that people-- like when they do physical-- Like a lot of the training is like, "Okay, if you do-- If you mess up, you have to do some kind of like physical punishment or something. And no-- I never really thought of it as a punishment. I mean, you know-- It's like, I remember like doing workouts and stuff like that with people all the time.

00:16:02Bradford: You know, it's like that-- Doing that kind of stuff was never a punishment. It's actually kind of fun. And, you know-- it's like-- Like I tell you, sometimes it's just like-- just kind of comedical because, you know-- Like it can be taken really seriously and people can get worried. But, you know-- it's like-- Sometimes it's just funny. It's people making mistakes every so often. It's not like it's hurting anyone. It's just, you know-- It's just kind of how you look at it. And, you know-- It never really-- I don't really think it was ever that big of a worry to me.

00:16:35Boyles: So, so, so, so-- "Bradford-- Get up-- Get down and give me 20." It didn't bother you?

00:16:44Bradford: No, no, no. I never-- I was never a bad soldier either. I think I only got like-- I think there's once where I think-- I was in the dark. And I remember I called the room to like attention. And it was like-- Or no. I called the room at ease. And it was actually a captain that walked through the door. I just didn't see the patch. And so I got pushups for that. But I never got in big trouble besides that one time.

00:17:12Boyles: Right. So that was your biggest infraction?

00:17:15Bradford: Yeah. That was my biggest infraction. I just-- I just misrepresented an officer. So--

00:17:21Boyles: The world kept turning.

00:17:23Bradford: Exactly.

00:17:25Boyles: Alright. Alright. So now, I know sometimes when people graduate from basic training-- you know-- There's a big ceremony. The family comes out. Did all that happen or did you?

00:17:38Bradford: Yeah. Yeah. So, my mom and dad came out. And we had like our big ceremony and stuff like that. And it wasn't anything too special. And it was good to get to see them and stuff like that. And, you know-- Just-- I mean-- I guess after you're in training for a while, you kind of forget the person that you were before or the people you left behind. I mean, it's just-- Things just change a little bit. And so, it was good to see them.

00:18:07Bradford: I remember I did my graduation too-- There's-- I think we have like two. We had a really big company. And I think it was close to 300 people. And-- But there's two kids during graduation-- that they-- Drill sergeants kept telling us like, "Don't lock your knees. Don't lock your knees." There's two guys that locked the knees and passed out during my graduation. I always thought that was funny. But besides that, there wasn't anything big that happened.

00:18:35Boyles: Yeah. So after that, do you immediately go down to Gulfport?

00:18:41Bradford: Yeah, I did. Straight down to Gulfport. And I took some like red eye flight that started-- I got down in Gulfport around like 2 or 3 a.m. And I remember I didn't get sleep the first night because we woke up like at five the next day. So-- But yeah. Yeah. Went down straight to Gulfport.

00:19:03Boyles: Are you there at the CB base, the Navy base?

00:19:11Bradford: Correct. Yeah. Yeah. Operation base.

00:19:14Boyles: Okay. So the Army's doing training there with the Navy CBs?

00:19:19Bradford: Yeah. Correct.

00:19:20Boyles: Okay. And tell us about your A.I.T. specialty. You're-- You've said that the code-- But spell that out for us.

00:19:30Bradford: Yeah. So, it's 12 Whiskey. And basically, we are tasked with carpentry, masonry special. We are tasked as carpentry, masonry specialists. And we-- you know-- Our biggest mission is-- you know-- It's construction and kind of demo of Bob sites and whatever things that they need us to build-- Just in any situation-- I mean, we're primarily tasked with building almost like shacks or like really like-- just wooden structures and stuff.

00:20:13Bradford: That's the primary thing. And I mean, nothing fancy. Just a lot of rough carpentry. A lot of the Navy and Air Force guys-- Though, they actually stay there-- I'd say for close to like almost double our time because they do a lot of finishing type stuff later. So, they get the full circle experience. But us-- It's just just rough carpentry, rough masonry. But good enough to get the job done.

00:20:42Boyles: And when you get there-- you know-- Have you done much of that kind of stuff growing up? Or was this all new to you?

00:20:54Bradford: I don't know. I did a little before-- you know-- I have done more working projects, stuff like that. But I mean, nothing like-- I knew like how to like-- you know-- how to hit nails and how to chop wood and stuff like that. That's fine. That wasn't an issue. But I mean, as far as like putting it all together, make it into-- making it, especially like within like an eighth of an inch specifications-- You know, it's--

00:21:22Boyles: Framin' up a house. Yeah.

00:21:26Bradford: Yeah. Just putting it all together-- just kind of-- It was tricky, but--

00:21:31Boyles: Okay. So, how long are you there?

00:21:34Bradford: I was there for seven, eight weeks.

00:21:36Boyles: Eight weeks?

00:21:36Bradford: Seven to eight weeks.

00:21:39Boyles: And is it similar to boot camp or basic training? Are they yelling at you? You know, give me 20? Is it that kind of stuff? Or is it loosened up a little bit and more concentration?

00:21:58Bradford: Actually, I would really go to say that in some regards, it's almost a little more and others not. I mean, you had a little more freedoms and stuff. But we actually had drill sergeants at our AIT. And we were there-- I mean, people like-- It was-- We had like a little bit of freedom. But like, if you wanted your cell phone-- If you wanted anything like your privileges, you had to wait so many-- You had to wait like three or four weeks. And then you had to pass like this board-- by this board of like drill sergeants and NCOs-- and like prove to them that you knew your stuff-- that you were a competent soldier.

00:22:41Bradford: Then you got to get your phone. You got all your-- like some of your other stuff back. The biggest problem that-- is that-- You know, a lot of people-- They get their freedom back. And then they do something stupid like they'll-- We had a lot of guys like-- you know-- They get into tobacco. Or like, they'll try to smuggle like booze into the barracks and stuff. And so, then we-- like everyone-- If one person messes up, everyone messes up. So-- But you know-- It is what it is. I mean, it wasn't a long AIT. So it wasn't too terrible.

00:23:12Boyles: Yeah. Yeah. Was the training good? I mean, did you learn a lot from-- in terms of the 12 Whiskey Specialty?

00:23:27Bradford: Yeah. I thought the training was actually pretty good. I took it very seriously-- just from the standpoint that I didn't want to get held back and left there for another two weeks. Because if you don't pass, you get recycled. Anyway, yeah. I thought it was pretty good. It was really in-depth training.

00:23:51Boyles: Were you actually in training with Navy folks, or was your class just Army?

00:24:01Bradford: So-- My class was actually just Army. It was sole Army. But, a lot of my other friends in there-- They had Navy and Air Force guys in there. Army, Navy, Air Force-- They'd have groups of everyone in there. But my class was actually just only Army. I don't know if it was just an influx of Army guys or what. But yeah. We were just Army.

00:24:27Boyles: Okay, got it. I think you've already said you leave there in November of '18. Is that--

00:24:35Bradford: Correct, yeah.

00:24:37Boyles: Yeah. And is that when you begin to go to drill?

00:24:41Bradford: Yeah. Well, I actually started going to drill. I left in November. And I went to an SRP for a battle handoff to my unit. And then I started going to drill.

00:24:55Boyles: Okay, stop. Stop, stop. You've got to spell out-- What does that mean-- SRP for battle handoff?

00:25:01Bradford: So it's like SR or RSP. It's basically-- It's a retention pool. So, before you go into your basic training and after you come out of your basic training, you kind of go into this-- It's kind of like a drill. But you're just with other NCOs and stuff. And they tell you what to do. It's kind of admin stuff. So after you get out of training, you can't just go straight to your unit. You have to do all this admin stuff before you go into your unit. And so, you get your admin stuff done. And then you get to do something called a battle handoff-- where they do this big ceremony. And they're like, "Okay. You're going to be handed off to-- So and so is going to be private. So and so is going to be handed off to units 1, 2, 3." And they do that. And then you're handed off to your unit. That's where you start.

00:25:57Boyles: I see. I see. So, what is your rank at this time--? At that time?

00:26:06Bradford: So, I was a PV-2. I believe.

00:26:10Boyles: So, that's an E-2.

00:26:12Bradford: Yeah. An E-2.

00:26:16Boyles: And what unit are you handed off to?

00:26:20Bradford: I was originally handed off to the 863rd.

00:26:24Boyles: 863rd is a what?

00:26:26Bradford: It's an engineering detachment.

00:26:29Boyles: Okay. And where is it?

00:26:32Bradford: That's in Toccoa.

00:26:34Boyles: In Toccoa?

00:26:34Bradford: Toccoa, Georgia.

00:26:38Boyles: And that's your drill location-- So that's the first place you go-- to the National Guard Armory in Toccoa?

00:26:49Bradford: Correct.

00:26:49Boyles: Okay. Is that where they say, "Oh, by the way, we're going to Iraq in a few months"?

00:26:54Bradford: Yes. That's where they said-- yeah.

00:27:00Boyles: So, did you go to Iraq?

00:27:04Bradford: No. I did not. I ended up going to ROTC for a little bit. And with ROTC, you're labeled as a non-deployable. And so, I was like, "Okay. Well, I can only go to the deployment because it sounds like you make a lot of money with it. But then I was like, "Well, I'll start on the flip of a coin. Maybe try officer. And maybe schooling is probably more important at that point. So--"

00:27:33Boyles: So, walk us through your initial drill progression to go to ROTC and how that happens.

00:27:44Bradford: So, I don't know. So, you're talking about what the drill is like? Or--?

00:27:51Boyles: No. I mean, it sounds like you go to ROTC pretty quick. Is that--

00:27:58Bradford: Yeah. So, I started looking into it after I got out of training. And, you know-- It seemed like a good idea. Like, it offers a decent bit of money. And, you know-- Especially with how long I'm going to be in, it seems like-- "Okay, yeah. That doesn't sound too bad of a gig." And so, after I was drilling for a few months-- the next two semesters-- The next semester, I enrolled in ROTC and did that. And then the semester after that as well. And, yeah. I just kind of rolled through it with that. And then--

00:28:39Boyles: But you're still in ROTC? And you're still drilling?

00:28:43Bradford: Yes. Yeah.

00:28:46Boyles: Okay. Alright. And are you going to ROTC classes?

00:28:55Bradford: Yes. So I was. I was doing Mills 1 and Mills 2 during that time. Those are the class names.

00:29:04Boyles: I know where the Air Force ROTC building is on campus. Where's the Army one? That's more just curiosity.

00:29:13Bradford: Army one is-- So you know where the Miller learning center is?

00:29:18Boyles: Yep.

00:29:19Bradford: Okay. So, if you go up, it's-- Oh, I'm spacing on the road-- But basically, that road that goes up by the stadium-- That goes up to that intersection-- It's the corner right there.

00:29:31Boyles: Well, many, many, many years ago when I was a student, that's where Army ROTC was. And I guess it just has never moved. So--

00:29:42Bradford: Yeah, it's an old building.

00:29:44Boyles: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So, are you-- Are you still enrolled in ROTC?

00:29:55Bradford: No. I am actually not.

00:29:58Boyles: Tell us about that. What happened?

00:30:00Bradford: So, I got into it. And I was like "Okay, this sounds like a good idea." And I started going to ROTC. And first off-- I mean-- With my schedule, it started eating away a lot of time. My first-- Last year, I took 17 credit hours one semester and then 18 the next semester. Yeah. So, it was really eating into that. And later on, it was going to get a little bit better but not too crazy better. And then-- But I mean, I was like "Okay, whatever. We'll still roll with it."

00:30:41Bradford: And I was trying to contract for the longest time. And I was actually promised I was originally going to contract that first semester. And they're like, "Oh yeah-- We'll get you contracted. And you'll get paid. And you'll be a little cadet. And basically, what happened was they came out with this new rule. They said, "Oh, if you haven't taken a full year of ROTC and you are in the National Guard, you have to have 30 credit hours under your belt." And I had 29 credit hours under my belt.

00:31:18Bradford: So, I missed that by one credit hour. And I fought tooth and nail-- I was like, "Hey, look-- I'm missing it by one credit hour. What's going on?" And anyway-- So I was like, "Okay, whatever. Let's just--" Basically-- They're like, "There's nothing we can do."

00:31:35Boyles: The rules are the rules.

00:31:38Bradford: Yeah. And so, I was like, "Okay, whatever. We'll wait for next semester." It's like, "Oh, I get all my paperwork finished for next semester." And I tell you-- This is like probably like one of the biggest heartbreaks-- Is I walk into the room. And I have my paperwork. And they're getting it filled out. And who was the commander at that time?

00:31:58Bradford: The commander for the ROTC program walks in. And she says-- the admin lady-- She's like, "Oh-- As a heads up, we got changes from battalion that S&P cadets--" Which is what I would be. It's like S&P is where you-- It's where you're in National Guard and you're in ROTC-- if that makes sense-- She says, "S&P cadets are required to do physicals before entering ROTC." Because before they were like, "Oh-- Of they're in the military, they're going to be physically fit already. So, like they can-- Like, they're good to go. But, they wanted to do another physical test on them before they entered ROTC.

00:32:35Bradford: And they-- She literally had that thrown down right there when I was getting my paperwork filled out. And so I was like, "Oh-- You gotta be kidding me. And so, I had to go take a physical. And I kid you not. It took almost two and a half months for them to get the physical results back. Two and a half months. And by that time, the semester was almost over. And so, I was promised I would be contracted early September of that year. And I wasn't-- I was looking at not even getting contracted like beginning of May. It was-- I could not believe it. And then I started thinking about it--

00:33:18Bradford: And I was like, "What the heck, man?! This is just ridiculous." And drill at my unit-- you know-- It was okay. But I tell you, it wasn't-- I wasn't like falling in love with it-- like the shine of the military, I mean. Like it's different once you get out of training. And I went to AT. By that time, I had already gone through my second AT annual training with them. And I just-- I just really started asking myself--

00:33:45Bradford: I just look at the people around me and looking at where they are at. And I just start thinking like, "You know, I'm going to go into engineering. And I think-- And I have like a good future with that. And looking at the things we're doing now-- I just-- It's just-- I don't have-- I don't know. Like, when I'm watching what our mission is and what we're doing-- you know-- It's just-- A lot of it's sitting around waiting. And I feel like, you know, as far as my time goes-- Like, I can be more productive elsewhere. And don't-- I want to-- I personally want a family later on. And it's just like-- you know-- I don't know how much I want to deal with this like continuing on for so many years.

00:34:31Bradford: And so I was like, "You know, I've given it a fair shot. I've given them every chance to make me into what's-- like whatever-- And, you know. If they can't even meet me halfway with it and like I'm not even falling in love with it, what's the point? So after that, I decided to drop ROTC. And now here we are this semester.

00:34:53Boyles: So when did you drop ROTC?

00:34:57Bradford: That was like August, right before classes started. I just--

00:35:01Boyles: Just this past August-- two months ago?

00:35:04Bradford: Yeah. Yep, yep.

00:35:06Boyles: Okay, and-- But you-- You're still a committed, drilling guardsman.

00:35:16Bradford: Correct. Right.

00:35:17Boyles: Let me back up though. You keep saying you use the word "under contract" or "contracted". What did that mean? Did that mean more money to you?

00:35:28Bradford: So, what that would place you as is-- Basically, when you're contracted just like saying, "Okay. I will be-- When I graduate, I will commission with the US Army to become an officer. And you have to-- When you're contracted, you have to go through-- During the year, you have to go through a six-week training during the summer. And so basically, that's just saying, "Okay. I'm fully committed with RTC right now. And then you'd be-- You're no longer labeled as a private or anything. You're labeled as a cadet. And then that's when you get your stipend pay or whatever.

00:36:13Boyles: Right. You know, I haven't asked about this. And I should have earlier-- but what-- You're majoring in engineering. What is your status right now? Are you a sophomore, junior?

00:36:28Bradford: Yeah. Yeah. So I'm a second semester sophomore. I came in on the spring. So, yeah. But right now, I'm a sophomore in mechanical engineering.

00:36:40Boyles: OK. That was going to be my next thing is-- So you're in mechanical engineering. And have you started taking engineering classes?

00:36:55Bradford: Yeah. I've taken-- Right now, I mean-- It's like the toughest engineering class I'm taking right now is statics. I haven't been admitted into the university yet-- or the college yet. I actually sent in my applications and stuff two weeks ago. Or [inaudible] my applications-- I should say. But after this semester, I'll be in.

00:37:16Boyles: Does that look pretty good?

00:37:19Bradford: Yeah. Yeah, it looks it's a-- It's going. It's-- The classes right now are interesting with, like, you know, everything being on Zoom. And again, I mean-- It's not normal, but-- you know-- You just kind of roll with it.

00:37:33Boyles: Sure. Yeah. Are you still-- Alright. Let me back up. Are you still with the 863rd Engineering Detachment?

00:37:43Bradford: I actually got moved to the 874th. So the 863rd-- This is a little weird. So the 863rd and 874th are engineering detachments. They are both in Toccoa. And they both go to the same like drill location. The only difference is-- I mean-- You just get labeled as one or the other. And, I guess it just needed more people for the 874th. And they threw me in there.

00:38:10Boyles: So, they're kind of identical units?

00:38:12Bradford: Yeah. It's really weird because you think-- They're really small too. You would think that they just kind of combine it or do something else with it. But there's two very small units if that makes sense.

00:38:27Boyles: Okay. And there-- So these two units-- Are they are they construction kind of units or?

00:38:37Bradford: Yeah. Yeah. Kind of like that. So, they're engineering units. And I have-- There's electrical. There's electricians, plumbers, mechanics and carpenters in there. And our main-- like our-- I guess our biggest mission is-- you know-- When hurricanes come through, we're clearing roads and cleaning up-- and all that stuff because we have a lot of the tools to do that. And-- But yeah. Yeah. That's what we are.

00:39:05Boyles: Any activation or deployments that you've had?

00:39:10Bradford: No. Not yet.

00:39:10Boyles: And where was your last AT? Where did you do an AT?

00:39:17Bradford: So, that was during all the COVID stuff. So, we drilled in July, late July, early August. And we went down to Fort Stewart for eight days-- Fort Gordon for another-- Fort Gordon for another few days. And then back to Toccoa. And it was just-- We were out in Fort Gordon for about a week or so-- out in the woods doing just-- We were just out in the woods for a week. And no showers or anything.

00:39:49Boyles: More campin'.

00:39:52Bradford: The idea was like-- They promised the Fort Gordon commander that if we went there, we wouldn't go out to base or be interacting with anyone else-- because they wanted to like almost quarantine.

00:40:05Boyles: Oh, okay. Right.

00:40:07Bradford: Yes. So like-- We were in like a little bubble. And no showers. No washing machines. No nothing. You just kind of sat there in the heat of it all. So that's fun.

00:40:19Boyles: Sounds miserable.

00:40:20Bradford: Yeah-- That's one way to put it.

00:40:22Boyles: And this is all due to the pandemic-- And that-- Not for you guys to mix or mingle with any of the other troops.

00:40:31Bradford: Yep.

00:40:32Boyles: Got it. Got it. Did you do any building projects?

00:40:36Bradford: Yeah, we did. We did one. It was because we originally were going to do some-- We're actually going to do some demo stuff on base. But because of the pandemic, they were like, "Oh, we don't want you guys interacting with anything on base. Anything besides literally just sleeping on the grass in the field. You guys don't touch anything." And so, we said that we made these wooden pull up bars. They are-- Because we have a new PT test that they're releasing. I think it's official now, but yeah. So they-- It requires pull up bars. And so we're like, "Okay. Well we'll just make our own pull up bars." So, that's what we did.

00:41:16Boyles: Got it. Got it. So, I think it kind of brings you up to date now. And kind of flirted with-- Or well, no-- You actually joined ROTC. You were there for what-- a year in ROTC?

00:41:35Bradford: Yeah.

00:41:36Boyles: And kind of got disillusioned more out of the bureaucracy than anything else.

00:41:42Bradford: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. That's one way to put it.

00:41:45Boyles: Yeah. Yeah. And, but-- But you're still definitely committed to hanging in with the guard to meet that commitment to help you pay for your school.

00:41:58Bradford: Yeah, correct.

00:42:00Boyles: Right. So that's your-- Do you work? Do you have a job other than as a guard?

00:42:07Bradford: Yeah. Yeah. I-- So, before for the first year or year, year and a half ish, I was the swim team manager for UGA's swim team. So I would travel with them and go with the swim team. And then-- And then after a while, I-- It was just like a lot of commitment because I travel around the country. And then-- Then I, now-- Right now, I'm just doing-- I have my own landscaping LLC. So like-- Or like-- It's kind of like a handyman LLC. Like, I'll just do like home improvement stuff-- landscaping stuff, I mean-- whatever. But, I'm self-employed. So I just pick up work when I can.

00:42:50Boyles: Just by yourself?

00:42:53Bradford: Yeah. Yeah. Just by myself. I actually worked over the summer. That's what I did most of my time. And just because my internship-- I had an internship two summers ago with a construction management firm. And I did that. And then this summer-- I don't think any internship I've ever heard stayed afloat because of COVID. And they gave me a call that said, "Hey, we're sorry, but we have to cancel our internship program this year because we can't have more than X number of people out on the construction site anymore." So--

00:43:31Boyles: So it never happened?

00:43:33Bradford: I just had to make do and make my own work. So--

00:43:37Boyles: So that's how you're making ends meet to pull through it?

00:43:46Bradford: Yep, correct.

00:43:48Boyles: Yeah-- Good deal. I'm trying to think, have we missed anything? Is there anything else about your military service thus far that we have left out?

00:44:08Bradford: No. I don't think-- That probably covers most of it.

00:44:14Boyles: At the end of these, we always ask people-- you know-- Is there anything else you'd like to say, recognizing that somebody 50 years from now might be listening to it? I think my favorite answer to that was-- There was one person we interviewed-- this was last year-- who said, "Well, I just want to say something. And that is BoJack Horseman is the greatest TV show that's ever been made." And I thought, "Oh, okay. Well, there you go." So, other people get philosophical. Some people have gotten political. It doesn't matter. Is there anything you'd like to say?

00:44:59Bradford: Yeah, yeah. So after-- you know-- After going through it all-- you know-- I don't know what's your or anyone else's ideas of the military are-- But it's not a Hallmark movie. It's whatever you-- Whatever cinema portrays it as, whatever you think it is-- Until you actually go through it-- It's a completely different thing. You know, people think the military is really high speed or really like-- you know-- like really accurate. But I tell you, it's actually-- I think my dad told me this: Like, it's just-- It's just a big glob of people and a lot of money. And it's just-- Just imagine it's just rolling down-- Just rolling down the road. And that's-- That's just how he accomplishes his mission. It's just a big glob of money and people.

00:45:53Bradford: And it's-- I mean, you know. There's a bunch of really great guys, you know. But-- And, you know-- Like, there's no one-- Like, I'd say-- Like, who's been like really terrible. There's nothing that's been terrible. But, you know-- Like sometimes this-- at least for our unit-- There's not always a lot of work to be done. It's-- And, you know-- A lot of times on the-- Like, I think the unit actually got deployed. Right now they're-- They're in-- They got deployed to like a few other countries-- like to Saudi Arabia and I think one other place. But they-- I literally kid you not-- are pushing dirt in the desert. There's Facebook pictures of my friends pushing dirt in the desert. And I don't know what for. But yeah-- It's just-- It's just a different beast. It's not-- It's not as accurate or anything like the movies. That's all I'm going to say.

00:46:50Boyles: Got it. Good. Okay. NOTE TRANSCRIPTION END