Interviewer
Jacob Horton
Files
Description
Jay Nelson describes his time as an infantryman in the United States Army during the 1980s. He discusses basic training and advanced Individual training [AIT] at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was part of an experimental COHORT unit. Nelson talks about the unit’s posting in Hawaii. He notes the physical demands of training and the leadership style of different commanders. He also talks about how the unit became well-known for its cohesiveness and success during practice maneuvers and recon missions. Nelson recalls how, after he left active duty, he joined the Montana National Guard in the 1990s as a water treatment specialist. He discusses his deployment to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War and details a conflict between him and his commanding officer that resulted in his temporary removal from base and a delay in the officer’s promotion. Nelson concludes the interview by sharing his opinions about local Missoula politics.
Loading...
Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
U.S. Military; U.S. Armed Forces; Montana National Guard; Fort Benning; Fort Lewis; Infantry; Water Treatment Specialist; Recon assignments; Kahuku Training Unit; East Range, Hawaii; Gulf War (1990-1991); Basic training; Saudi Arabia; Drug use, Military; Disciplinary action, Military; Missoula, Montana; Politics, Montana; Local government; Advanced Individual training [AIT]; Cohesion, operational readiness and training unit [COHORT]; Quick reaction force [QRF]; Military veterans
Original Date
11-3-2019
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana; Saudi Arabia; Hawai'i
Language
eng
Original Collection
The Veteran’s Experience Oral History Project, OH 472
Holding Institution
University of Montana. Mansfield Library. Archives and Special Collections
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Holder
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 472-009
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 MP3 file (01:28:33): digital + 1 transcript (33 pp.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:28:33 minutes
Local Filename
OH_472_009.mp3; OH_472_009.pdf
Citation
Nelson, Jay T., "Jay T. Nelson Interview, November 3, 2019" (2019). The Veteran’s Experience Oral History Project. 11.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/veteransexperience_oralhistory/11