True story:
The Date: April 26, 1978
The place it began, Raleigh, NC
One dumb kid. I joined the Navy on the above date, sworn in in the above city. That afternoon I boarded the plane to go to bootcamp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL; 40 miles north of Chicago, on the lake.
I was wearing sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt. Had a bag with toiletries and change of underwear and socks in it. NO COAT.
It was 78 degrees when I left Raleigh. Guess what the weather was like when I arrived at O'Hare?
Temps in the 40's? (I wish) And of course that incessant wind off the lake. They gave us a raincoat the night we checked in so that we could look somewhat uniform until we received our uniforms. That raincoat was the most beautiful piece of clothing I ever saw.
It is said that there is only two seasons at Great Lakes....winter and the 4th of July. I spent a year there, but because of being on leave, I only saw the winter (was at home for the 4th).