Carl Couser:
CLASS OF 1964
Odessa High SchoolClass of 1964
Odessa, TX
Carl's Story
School
I was so insecure at that age that I didn't think any girl would want to 'go steady' w/me. But if I were to pick the girl I had a secret crush on it was definitley Cherry Smith (and so did all the other guys). She was my favorite since we had 7th grade English at Bowie Jr. High.
I don't remember being inspired by any teacher....maybe that's why like a lot of kids back then, I just did what was necessary to graduate. But I did admire Mr. Hill (woodworking) and coach Peacock (swimming).
The happy and craziest times were definitely spent with Kenneth and Kendall Brumelle. There wasn't too pranks we wouldn't try. Since the Brumelles operated a fireworks stand back in the day we had an endless supply of cherry bombs and M-80s to play with. As I recall, they also had the only air horn which was outlawed at pep rallies and games but we used it anyway. I also spent a lot of time with lifelong buddies who went to PHS and most of my girlfriends also were at PHS.
College
I had no ambition to go to college and probably wouldn't have unless my buddies hadn't encouraged me to go. I just sort of followed the crowd was with ay the time. No ideal of what I wanted to do and no direction either. I attended Oddesa Junior College 2 years and transfered to Texas Tech where I got my BBA in Management. I was smartn't enough (or though I wasn't) to be accepted into graduate school and wasn't motivated either.
Those days were a struggle for me. I worked full time for minimun wage, carried a full course load and still had to get student loans in order to attend college. I wanted to quit many times and probably would have if I hadn't met and married Linda Myers, OHS class of '66.
Also, if you weren't in college back then, your draft status was 1-A unless you had a phyical deferment. So that keep me somewhat motivated to grind it out. Additionally, I wasn't a 'joiner' (never have been) so I pledged GDI, 'God Dam_ Independent' and missed out on a lot of partying.
Obviously I'm glad I went to college and got a degree. It opened the door for me to have better jobs and...Expand for more
a better life.
Military
After graduation from college, 4 months later I received my draft notice to report for induction. I was married then but the exemption from the draft for being married had expired several years prior. Anyway, I was drafed in June '69 into the US Army. I did Basic Training at Ft Lenardwood, MO and AIT at Ft Lewis, WA. I was Basic Training "trainee of the cycle" so I guess I found something that I excelled at. I was offered and encouraged (harrassed) to sign-up for Officers Candidate School after AIT. But upon learning that the only OCS schools open were combat schools and that I would have to be in the army at least 1 more year I declined the honor of becoming "an officer and a gentleman". Besides, I was a college graduate and certain the Army would utilize my talents as a company clerk somewhere. Wrong, my next duty station after training was Infantry, Republic of Viet Nam, 4th Infantry Division.
There isn't a lot I will share openly here about my year of duty November '69 - November '70, in Viet Nam. I was a Grunt and carried the M60 machinegun for 7 months until I was made squad leader (so use your imagination). The area of operations was in the Central Highlands preforming Search & Destroy and Ambushes missions. My battalion, 1st of the 22nd, was one of the first to be sent into Cambodia, May '70. Reportly we had the 1st officer KIA there, Lt. Baxter. I remember a firebase, LZ Baxter, was named in honor of his scarifice. Our missions were usually 30 days in the boonies and back to a firebase for a 3-4 day standdown. We had one 45 day mission(my 1st mission) but too many guys came down with malaria, desentary, jungle rot, etc. that our battalion surgon wouldn't allow our battalion commander to leave grunts in the jungle enviroment that long.
Ironically, I ran into a couple of my OHS classmates over there who were also in the 4th Division, Mike Baker was one. I think he made it home safely.
My experience definitely changed me and I have no doubt anyone who has experienced combat was changed by it.
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