I hadn't been at Basic Training long before being assigned KP duty. I was instructed to report to the Mess Hall Sargent early morning the next day. When I arrived the SGT suggested I have breakfast then see him in his office. I did so and he led me to a back room of the Mess Hall and pointed to a large pile of pots and pans the cooks had used to prepare the breakfast menu. Wash them he said and have them ready for use to prepare lunch. I rolled up my sleeves and completed the task. After a short period I had lunch then went to the back room only to find a pile of pots and pans from the lunch serving so I started the process again. This time I finished a little early and thought I could enjoy a period of rest. Not so, the old SGT had me join four other recruits who were pealing potatoes for the dinner menu. Everything went down hill from here. Fridays, my KP day, were fish days and I don't like fish/odor so I did not eat dinner. Instead I headed for the dirty pots an pans room, rolled up my sleeves and began the process for the third time. I was elbow deep in greasy water that reeked of fish odor which really took it's toll on my stomach. I managed to keep everything down until finished. The entire KP Crew then scrubbed the floor and tables. A memorable experience to be sure. It was a long, long day.
P.S. On my second KP assignment I drew the cush job of counting the number of recruits that showed for each meal.
P.S. On my second KP assignment I drew the cush job of counting the number of recruits that showed for each meal.