Fort Cavazos

Hmmm... I was stationed here three times beginning back in 1976. Twice with the 16th Signal Battalion, which was pretty cool, and once with what was probably the worst unit in 15 years, 3/1 ADA. It was a waist of time, resource and $$$ to deactivate and move this battalion from Fort Bliss to Ft. Hood. III Corps didn't know what to do with us, coming from a TRADOC scenario, this Hawk missle battalion was out of sync at this Forces Command post never utilizing this type of unit. Eventually, the missle system was sold to the Germans, which explained why serving under this command seemed pointless and with no mission orientation...it was all part of the plan. Lotta' "dog & pony" and "knee pad" politics. None the less, all three tours were invaluable...both in and out of uniform. I became very familiar with the Central Texas area and have seen the Killeen/Copperas Cove area grow into a totally different animal. It was home for some years but I eventually moved on. There are allot of good people there who mean allot to me and two precious souls who mean the world to me..."Pop and the Rabbit." Ft. Hood is definitely "Soldier City"...lotta' good training. I've seen it go from the Disco days to the Hip Hop culture. From the German American club, the 440 Light Company, The Chic, The Red Carpet, where many of Killeen's pimps and prostitutes would hang out, the crazy Saber Club on post and other "disco" clubs in Killeen. 195 was nothing more than a dark two lane country highway all the way from Killeen to I 35. The Midtown Mall was Killeen's premier shopping mall with about a handful of stores. From W.S. Young heading east on H'way 190 was mostly empty, open land until you reached Nolanville, the Central Texas speed trap. Only the old skoolerz know what I'm talking about. The only really and truly good thing that's happen to the area are the ministries that have grown and influenced the area. Cutting through the chase, it was time for a change.