When God is the one who alters our plans, we usually end up not being daunted by the outcome. Neal Rufus Griffin’s detour proved to be a growth experience that has greatly impacted his adult life. While a student at Alcorn A&M College in the late 1960’s-early 1970’s, Griffin experienced a modification to his planned future.
He was in his fourth year of agricultural studies at the historic school when he received a special invitation from the U.S. Army, a draft notice. Griffin said, "I was a senior at Alcorn, during my last semester. I was actually on student teaching out of Meridian.” He called the news a “devastating blow.”
Griffin said that being drafted out of college was a shock and it took him some time to adjust. He had earlier received a four-year deferment and was in the last year of that delay when the notice arrived. Griffin said, “I was one of the last of the draftees.” Up and until that point, he’d had other thoughts about his future’s direction.
He said the notice arrived on Dec. 27, 1972. The heart-breaker was that the draft ended just three days later. He was scheduled to report on Jan. 1, 1973; however, his second interruption pushed that back a day because of the holiday.
He reported to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for his initial training. "Which I thought that was one of the worst things that had happened to me, at that time," he said. Griffin acknowledged that some “shenanigans” took place upon his group’s arrival, and even before they could be issued uniforms, they were ordered to work out in the cold.
As a result, he had to be hospitalized during his first two weeks of his training. But there was a highlight. “I did get to see the Super Bowl that year," he said.
Despite his initial reaction, Griffin said he does not regret his time in service. "Looking back on it, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was some of the best discipline and training that I've ever received and I still benefit from it now, being a veteran."
Griffin stated that since he was a draftee, he wasn’t allowed to choose his military operational specialty (MOS). However, that proved to be a blessing in disguise also because his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) revealed that he was better suited to be a clerk-typist.
He explained that he had basically worked his way through school as a clerk-typist, having learned how to type in high school. He added, "Because I was raised on a farm, we didn't get to school sometimes until late October or November because of having to harvest the crops.”
Griffin said that by the time he got to school, in high school, most of the classes were filled up. “So I had to take some electives and typing was an elective that was available and I just took it for that reason," he said.
Upon his matriculation into Alcorn, his proficiency in typing was noticed so he was positioned as a clerk in the agricultural department.
That, coupled with his Army test results, led to his final military assignment as a division signal clerk. He said being in that position and having access to a vast amount of information is what allowed him to successfully navigate through his appointments in the military service.
After finishing up his basic training, Griffin experienced another life-altering event. "I came home my very first leave, right out of boot camp and got married. I got married on the weekend and flew back,” he said.
After returning, he received his orders to go to Germany, but that deployment was postponed. "Remember, '73 was when we had that real bad flooding in the Delta," Griffin said. That’s when he used his knowledge of Army procedures and processes to his advantage. "I applied for a compassionate reassignment. I didn't get the compassionate reassignment, but it tied them up in paperwork for a few months.”
Griffin was eventually assigned to Ansbach, Germany, where he became a division signal clerk for the 141st Signal Division, First Armored Division. "I actually was the driver for the commander general of the 141st Signal Battalion," he said.
The signal divisions were responsible for communication. "Which means I had to have a pretty high security clearance,” Griffin said, “Because all of those call signs that they would usually change every day or every week, as necessary, had to come through our office."
Griffin said his military position also demanded restrictions on his travel because he had to have permission to visit his friends and some other countries. He added that there were some places that he was not allowed to visit.
Obtaining the rank of Specialist Third Class, Griffin said, "I learned to appreciate the military and especially the positions that I had."
He applauded the Army’s methodology. "The discipline, their method of training, their dedication – those are some things that I cherish," he said. Griffin added, "They took you through things until you got it. They would deal with every type of personality. All of those experiences, they taught me to appreciate teamwork, hard work, unity, (and) discipline."
In addition to being a division signal clerk, he was also assigned to drive the master sergeant in charge of the signal division, and a commander general to the Reforger exercises. However, he never had to stay for the war games. His clerical services were always required elsewhere.
Another thing that eventually worked in his favor was that the government was starting to phase out U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
And there were other factors that impacted Griffin’s intended two-year stint in the service including the fact that the president ordered an "early out" for all draftees before his full term was up. Griffin was asked to stay in the service.
Nevertheless, he declined the opportunity to re-enlist even though he was offered bonuses and incentives. "I had a growing family, and the family was back in the States and I was in Germany," he said.
He was discharged two months before his scheduled release in January 1975. "I was able to come back home by November of '74," he said. Griffin said he was actually home for Thanksgiving. “I surprised my mother,” he said.
Originating out of DeKalb, Miss., about 40 miles north of Meridian, Griffin attended Little Rock Elementary School and what is now West Kemper High School. He describes it as a little-known area. "Even the basketball court was outside."
His initial introduction to Sunflower County in the late 1960’s was due to summer work. He came to help his uncle, the late James R. Davis who was also an Alcorn graduate and agriculturist. Griffin said his first job was with the Quick Construction Company in 1968. He came back every summer following that to work, which is how he met his late wife.
Having studied agriculture at Alcorn himself, he has worked for the USDA and the Soil Conservation Service and now owns and operates his own lawn care and landscaping business.
He said that even though he considered himself an adult, the Army is what forged him. Griffin said, “I actually grew up in the Army."
