VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — More than 40 feet up the tower at Fort Jackson, Army recruit Robert Smith missed setting his feet on the 4-by-4 plank from which he was to start rappelling down.
“I said: ‘Sergeant, what should I do?’ I was kind of scared. And sergeant said: ‘Trust your equipment. Now straighten your legs.’ Then he said: ‘Now wave at me,’ I waved. ...
“I’m going to remember that for the rest of my life.”
