On May 19th 2012—just a few months short of his 94th birthday (July 10th 2012)—we received the following from LTC Poirier (R), a graduate of the FIRST OCS CLASS.  LTC Poirier attributes his health to his daily “dose” of sour mash Scotch (we hope we remembered the type of whisky correctly). As MAJ Richard Green said, "His article reminded me of much about OCS, especially the tensions."

From LTC Poirier:

"The Booby Trap on the 3rd Floor – The enclosed page describes what I witnessed, and what I'm able to recall. The “tension” mentioned really was affecting all of us. Our class started with 500 candidates, and seeing the many evictions and dismissals from our ranks, we all got rather anxious—who would be next??? What is amazing, is that we did not see any reprimands (at least I did not know of any) from the staff of instructors. As you well know this class was before the hazing got accepted as a means of teaching discipline. Why do I send this to you? It is my understanding that you're the historian. Anyway, it makes a good story...

"The attached photo shows allotment of beds on the right side of the 3rd floor. The names of those who were on the right side were: Small, Raphael, Davis, Welsch (Glenn shown studying) Niles, Phenix, Poirier, Barley, etc. Also, this is the location whence the "booby-trap" had its beginning. The action started during the third & last month of Class 01-41.

"A tension had mounted between Raphael and a candidate on the left row of beds. The “guy” from the left side with his cronies crossed over to Raphael's footlocker opened it and set a trap consisting of a 2-inch fire cracker, a scratcher and a match, with a tie-string to the locker cover. Mind you, all this was being seen by a historian; "historians” normally do not get involved with the “march of history” - they simply observe and/or read, all from afar.

"Sometime later Raphael and his friends arrived. Raphael reached the footlocker and opened it... BANG – the booby trap exploded.

"Raphael and his friends were startled beyond that of a proper OCS candidate hoping to graduate – but ACTION THIS DAY – Raphael and his friends crossed over to the left and overthrew six beds, thus strewing sheets, pillows, and mattresses all over the floor – ACTION accomplished THIS DAY!  

"LTC Poirier Note: This was the FIRST CLASS and so no one of the OCS staff bothered to get involved with this episode."