RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT - Through the Years

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RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT THROUGH THE YEARS RCMP Training Monday February 27 th 1967, I was driven with my little suitcase to Depot Division, all set for my future and scared out of my wits, and signed in as a 3 rd class Constable and a part of “U” Troop 1996/97. At that time, training was for 6 months, with the first 3 months undertaken in Regina and the last 3 months in Penhold, Alberta, (near Red Deer) at an old air force base (food was better there). Didn’t take long to settle in to a 32-man dormitory, but took a while to get used to locker-room type washroom facilities. I had led a cloistered life until now. One of our first duties was to try on our issued kit. Red tunics would be provided at some point in the future, but before graduation. On my bed – 32-man dorm - 1967 I found training, especially the physical part of it…which was a lot…rather difficult, but coped and did my best, swigging a spoonful of liquid wheat germ before Physical Training (PT), as someone suggested for stamina. Tasted like crap and I don’t know if it even worked…was too afraid of repercussions by the instructors to quit. “Punishment periods” of gym were given over to duck-walking for as long as we could before collapsing to the floor, or climbing a rope up to the gym ceiling (no short distance). Swimming was another form of agony for me. One of the instructors used to carry a bamboo cane and rap us hard on the knuckles if we dared to touch the side of the pool, and that after having stood in line in a freezing hallway, with snow drifts inside the fire exit door, to get into the pool area. Foot drill was another energy-sapping period, with 50 minutes of almost constant marching and getting screamed at. Then try and shower, change into drill uniform, march to the drill hall, and be in formation all within 15 minutes. A challenge. Drill Hall June 2017 85
RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT THROUGH THE YEARS All of this to turn a boy into a man. It worked. Driver training was the most relaxed class of all. Three of us would go out in an unmarked police car with an instructor, and take turns driving around the city for half a day. Loved it! Once the instructors were comfortable that we knew what we were doing in standard columnshift cars, they took us out into the country where we practiced driving off the highway into the ditch at 70 mph and back out, plus overtaking and stopping (another training car). Some scary moments. But it was like a day off for us. All of my Dad’s RCMP friends were still serving and 2 of them were my superiors. There were no favours, believe me. For the 3 months we were in Regina, we got one 11PM Friday pass and one 1AM Saturday pass per week. Usually at least one, if not both of those was rescinded regularly due to some minor misconduct by any 1 of our 32...be it lint on a jacket, late for a class, talking, you name it, they found a reason to kick our ass. I was brought before the S/M on several occasions and lost my privileges. Other times, we were scheduled for a ‘duty-weekend’ where we couldn’t leave…we had to do 24-hour security checks of the property, and care for the horses which were still all stabled there. We had to clean them every morning but didn’t have to ride. That was enough though to stink up your uniform and get stuck up your nose. Riding as a part of training was cancelled in 1966. The horses were awaiting auction. Lunch ‘hour’ was short as we had to be on parade in spit and polish condition. I was a drummer in the recruit band so had to get over to the drill hall quickly and form up with the band. Consequently, I usually only had time for dessert every day before having to get ready. I was a slow eater then…and remain so to this day. Because I was in the band, we didn’t have to clean the stables in the morning. We had band practice instead. There was a method to my madness. Noon Parade - June 1967 When we were lucky enough to leave Depot for an evening out, we had to dress in jacket and tie, and trilby hat. No exceptions. Everyone in Regina knew who/what we were. Some of the rougher element in town resented it, so you stayed away from their haunts. Since I came from Regina, I usually managed to take my laundry home for Mum to do (bless her heart) as I enjoyed my time off in my rented car – a weekend cost $25, and that was for a 1967 Mustang! On March 1 st 1967, we got a raise from $4800 per year to $5000!! No stopping us now! Off of that, however, came taxes, and all kinds of deductions, including one for room and board. Not much left over. June 2017 86
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RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT - Through the Years

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