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).
LOL... Cold huh? I'm originally from Iowa.
My dad did his boot there back in the late 50s.
He served on the USS Essex for most of his stint.