I’ve only passed out at a parade once, although I suppose that’s once more than most people.

It was the spring of my Yearling (sophomore)  year at West Point. In the summer, I would be going to Germany as a “Third Liuetenant” for a month. In prep for the trip I had to get several shots, and in Army fashion, I received them all on the same day, just after lunch. For some reason I didn’t have a class that afternoon, and ended up taking a nap.Later that afternoon, we had a Regimental parade. I woke up at the ten minute bell (ten minutes until we reported for the parade), quickly dressed, grabbed my rifle and bayonet, and moved out to our formation location. The company formed, dressed, and waited for the drums to start. They finally did and we marched out through the building portal and on to The Plain, the scenic location above the Hudson where all parades take place at West Point.

We arrived at our designated location on The Plain and halted. We went through the normal rigamarole of attention, presenting arms, attention, present arms, and finally we were at Parade Rest. In a minute or two, we’d come back to attention and then present arms for the playing of the National Anthem. So I’m standing there, and then…

The next thing I know, I’m staring upward at a blue sky. What? And do I hear music? Well yes I do! It’s the National Anthem. What the….this is strange….I must have passed out. I slowly look around. Everyone else is, of course, standing at attention and present arms while the Anthem plays. I reach to my side, and sure enough, there’s my rifle on the ground with me. I grab it, and slowly get to my feet, come to attention, and then present arms. There’s a bit of snickering around me, and finally someone asks me if I have any other plans to pass out that afternoon, or whether I’m all right. I whisper that I’m alright. Then, my eyes start to swim a bit…rutro….. I bend my knees and I’m OK. Mercifully, a couple minutes later we start to march off.

After our Company retired from The Plain, our commander dismissed us, and I of course received much good natured hazing. Someone pointed out that the back of my uniform was ripped open. It turned out that when I fainted, I fell backwards on the bayonet of the cadet behind me. It cut a three inch slit in my uniform, and I had a small bruise on my back as a souvenir. The other interesting thing that happened that day was that our company received the high score for the parade. Evidently my fall hadn’t been observed…..