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Not that this really matters, but I went through basic training with Charlie Sanders at Ft. Polk, Louisiana in April - June 1970. Our unit was 4 platoons, each with about 40 guys, 160 all total. It was made up of about half reserves and about half regular Army, Charlie was a reservist from Detroit and I was regular Army from Florida.
He was the biggest human I had ever seen in an Army uniform, his legs were as big as my waist. In the first week they made him what they called 'Field First', which meant the four platoon leaders would answer to him and he answered to the drill sergeants. He had his own room while the rest of us slept in open bays. The fourth week of basic we were given a weekend pass and we were allowed to go to Lake Charles, except Charlie was allowed to fly home to Detroit.
After a couple of weeks when we were decent at marching they let Charlie lead the marches and call cadence. The only problem was his steps were so big that when he lead the march, those of us back in the fourth platoon had to run at times to keep in step. He seemed like a nice guy, but really never spoke much. I guess it's good to be a pro football player when your in the Army.
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