I hate Dan Rather as much as anyone and I hate to pee in your Post Toasties, but 1954 was AFTER the Korean War. Eisenhower got us out (of the shooting war) in July, 1953. One of your premises is incorrect.
Many skirmishes still going on in '54. Brother caught a CHICOM round in Fall, '54. (He's Ok)
Also, boot training would have been tough; conducted by USMC Korean War vets.
>One of your premises is incorrect.
So is my BMI and height/weight ratio! :~)
The Korean War never ended...there was a truce/cease fire.
I visited some ROK Army divisions on the Z. The war hasn't ended for them.
Do some research on Art Boniface. He's got an Army post named for him-Camp Boniface.