Today while I was teaching, we heard hundreds of freshmen marching into their meeting in the square outside our building. My students and I peered out the window watching as they streamed in carrying the little stools they always march with, then sat down in formation and waited for the speechifying to begin. We're a seaside campus, so their uniforms are all the dark pants and light blue shirts of the navy. Yes, it's that time of year; the three weeks when the drill masters roll in to teach a bunch of giggly 18-year-olds how to march, sing patriotic songs, listen to speeches, and follow orders.
After the break, I asked my students, "Do you know how long freshmen military training lasts in America?" The guessing began.
"Two weeks"
"Two days"
"Half a year"
"One month"
(and so on)
No, no, no, no.
"Aha! I've tricked you!" I said smugly. "Is there freshmen military training in America?"
A ripple of understanding passed through the room.
"No!" they yelled in unison.
Laughter and astonishment all around.
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