“We’re talking about prepositions today,” the professor announces to a classroom full of military students from all branches. I was there as part of Army Reserves Advanced Individual Training or AIT, which is the job training part of entering the Armed Forces. Anyone with a Military Occupational Skill or MOS relating to communications attended the Fort George G. Meade Defense Information School or DINFOS, pronounced “DIN foes,” in Maryland.
We take turns listing them as the high-ranking Naval officer who led the course wrote on the board all the “things you can be” to a box: above, below, inside, outside….
“And…” he continued, “of is a preposition.”
“Of is a preposition,” like being of the box, he said.
“Of is a preposition,” he called and we repeated.
“Of is a preposition!”
Then a Marine seated in the back row of desks, called out, “KILL!” and we burst into laughter.
The memory amuses me greatly, but watching my 13-year-olds son’s interest in one day joining the military makes me beam with pride. He serves in the Civil Air Patrol, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as the civilian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force.