I don't know how common the NCO academy experience is across branches, but 20 years ago in the Army and Army Reserves, at the lower levels while you are a student you get put on certain restrictions like no access to a POV and some throwbacks to basic training type bans. At one NCO school on post at Fort Lewis, Seattle/Tacoma area, we were given a barrack room with a roommate and a dictated schedule of meals and classroom time with no deviation. Little time to yourself or to do your own thing, like extra PT & read a book, even take a smoke break. Long story short, we were pretty bored. Two weeks of the same daily schedule, including four 40-minute bus rides near the beginning and end of each day. This is where a majority of the story unfolds.

About 3 or 4 bus rides in, I notice that the oldies playing on the bus PA seem to be on a short rotation. Seems to be about the same 9 or 10 songs. I guessed a CD of 50's hits or something because they were all very recognizable, like top 50 oldies songs everyone knows kind of songs. But there's something else; every so often, there's an 80's duet love song that seems completely out of place. I don't really think about it much, but this particular collection of songs, and oddly enough the order, I recognize. I couldn't put my finger on it at first. Then I hear it.

Now I've... had... the time of my life...

"Dirty Dancing!" I realize. I grew up on that movie, my Mom watched every free afternoon she had in the 90's. I probably knew those songs because of that movie if I really think about it. I took another couple of bus rides and really paid attention, and after about 3 days I was sure. Another day went by and someone else noticed.

A couple seats in front of me I hear, "Is this some kind of 50's collection?"

"It's the 'Dirty Dancing' soundtrack," answered.

Another troop in my class, the class loudmouth, turns to me, "How the hell do you know that?" in a way that was clearly intended to call into question my masculinity. The first person calls me out too, he wants to know how I'm so sure it's not just a compilation.

"There's one song that was an 80's radio hit, because of this movie, I think it's the last track on the disc."

I get a bunch of skeptical looks from a majority of the other sergeants on the bus and a some smirks from a couple female NCO's that were also present.

"Trust me." Then I turn back to Staff Sergeant Loudmouth. "You have a mom?" He nods. "You ever have a girlfriend?" Another north-south with an eye-roll. "How do you not know this movie? I know I've watched it at least a few dozen times just because it's what the number one lady in my life at any given time wanted to watch. It's also served me pretty good to know that movie. Girls like it when you know romantic movies about dancing." As proud as I seem now for that little speech, I will tell you I only got a few chuckles, another smirk from a female NCO's or two, and another silent eye-roll from Loudmouth.

However, this anecdote doesn't end there. As the ride goes on, I notice the bus is a little more silent than before; there are fewer people having conversations or they're talking softer. I can tell people are actively listening to the music now. After another couple of songs, I start getting glances, some people even give me approving looks. Then it starts again.

Now I've... had... the time of my life...

Looks of realization start appearing around me. More chuckles, some "Hey yeahs;" a handful of the 50 or so soldiers sharing a funny moment. There's some brief conversation about various person's association with the movie and then the bus ride is over and we go about our day. On the way off the bus that time I asked the driver, who had appeared to be eavesdropping on the conversation at parts, if it was in fact the soundtrack. She showed me the CD jewel case and we shared a laugh.

Classes continue, more bus rides, the bolder and sillier of the riders occasionally busts out along with a song.

"Heeeey baaaaby, I wanna knowowow, will you be my girl!"

"Biiiig giiiirrrllls don't cryyyyyyy, biiiig giiirrrllls don't cryyyyy...," in a not-so-perfect Jersey falsetto.

The songs don't get old though. After a while I think it's become a little comforting. We all just decided we were gonna get really familiar with the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack and that was ok.

Finally, the last day came. Bebopping along to 50's nostalgia like usual that last morning ride to the d-fac and here it comes again.

Now I've... had... the time of my life...

I like to sing along to the radio already anyway, do it all the time, so I softly start singing along. Except, I'm not the only one now. I look around and several others are too. In just a few bars, a majority of the bus is singing along with Bill and Jennifer. I look up at the bus driver and she's chuckling to herself. It's obvious no one knows all of the words and after a few more measures the voices die off and some people start clapping. Everyone has a good laugh, promises to never watch the movie or listen to that song ever again, and we deboard for our last breakfast.

I have no memory of that school that was MOS related; it's all interpersonal moments like this. I find now almost ten years on since separating, most memories of my time in service are those moments. I've got a few like this from every school. Probably some kind of coping mechanism for the harder things we had to address.