Local Flavor

Here at Ft. Jackson we're all eating cafeteria food which has its ups and downs. For example, it's great if you enjoy scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast -- every day. We usually eat breakfast and dinner there when we have training in the field (where lunch consists either cold Meals Ready to Eat or sandwiches).

One of the best things about the cafeteria is the "Cuz" guy. He's a local hire who greets everyone in line with the phrase, "How 'bout it, cuz?" or "What'll be, cuz?" in an authentic South Carolina accent. It's the first time I can recall ever being called, cuz. By the end of week one we began answering back, "I'll have some Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes, cuz." He usually has some snappy comeback, based on your choice of entree. "Aw, those sausages will make you run fast, cuz."

This evening he asked if we were still on schedule to finish our training this week and fly to Kuwait. I said we were. He said, "You be and sure an' tell the Navy folks over there the Cuz Guy says hi." It hit me that nearly every Navy IA in the last five years has had food served to them by this guy. We really like him.