Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

For several different reasons, people visit the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Depending on the time of the day, there is some good rock and roll music being sung in the stairwells of the hospital. It's sweet, clear, and the person singing it is clearly an experienced singer. The stairwells are his favorite venue because his sound bounces off the walls and stairs. The fabulous tunes are provided and sung by a member of the housekeeping crew named Joseph Nims ("J. J." for Jukebox Joe).

Joe Nims needed a job at age nineteen. He had graduated high school and had gone to the Armed Forces Recruitment Center in Omaha, NE. The Army recruiter promised him some Fun, Travel, and Adventure (FTA). After the testing, the recruiter also promised him a skill as a repairman for armored vehicles.

Joe got on the plane for Standiford Airfield at Louisville, KY. Then the following bus ride to Fort Knox. At the time, this installation was the Home of Armor. Joe arrived in January, 1980. It is very cold at Fort Knox in the winter and this was no exception. The roads and streets are very slick as well.

On arrival, the classic drill Sergeant behavior was on display! Before long the new recruits knew what to expect, when they had to deliver, and how much. Joe had two Drill Sgts. Both were veterans of the Vietnam War. Both knew things about life that they shouldn't have known for years to come. They were tough but fair. One took a particular liking (?) to Joe.

First things first... This is the CIP (Clothing Issue Point) here's the duffle bag. Open it up, side step, get it filled. Once we're done, we're moving out to the barbershop. After that's done, two major events are completed. Then we'll show you where you'll live and eat.

Early in this training, Joe got a chance to look out the window of his barracks. At 0500 hours, he watched a long formation of men running in the darkness. Soldiers carried coned flashlights and the med were all jogging in step... feet hitting the ground at the same time... sounding off to cadence "I want to be an airborne Ranger' (group repeats this) "I want to live a life of danger"! Joe looked on with admiration. That's what he wanted! Just to be in a group like that! Joe got his wish several times. Within about ten days, Joe would be in a similar formation.

Another sight at Fort Knox was the columns of M-60 tanks and armored personnel carriers moving out to training ranges. Holy Cow! The tank commanders and the track commanders were positioned atop their cupolas They wore helmets with goggles strapped on. Machine guns at the ready. When they rumble down the main street, Wilson Ave, their vibration shakes the buildings! Cool...

In the training, one recruit did not graduate with his peers. As part of the course of instruction, the young men were engaging an obstacle course. At a tough station, logs were stacked on top of each other so that they formed a high wall. One new soldier reached the top but did not hang on for the descent. He fell to his death.

Basic training lasted eight weeks. Advanced Individual Training was another eight weeks at Fort Knox. They had to move to different buildings for housing. Later this training at one base became One Station Unit Training.

Joe trained at the tank repair/mechanics facility. He learned his trade by working on equipment as it came in. About half the work was classroom and the other half was in the bays where tanks needed work. Joe got an appreciation for the actual size of the engine that powered an M-60 tank. It's hard to imagine just how big that is. Joe's training came to an end. As he and others marched across the parade field, Joe's wife and young child were in the audience.

It was time to move on to an assignment as per orders.

Joe's choice for an assignment was Fort Riley, Kansas. The selection for this base was that it was about 3+ hours from his family in Omaha, NE. Joe worked and trained with an artillery maintenance Battalion at Fort Riley. One of the items he worked on was an eight inch, self-propelled Howitzer artillery piece. The size and power and blast capability impressed Joe.

This unit had a rotational plan that featured moving personnel in and out of Furth, Germany, near Nurnberg. The assignment didn't exactly thrill Joe, but he went as ordered. As he settled into his work and living in a foreign country, Joe really liked the German people and their preference for beer. US folks like their beer ice-cold but Germans are good with having theirs at room temperature. The alcohol content/level is also higher.

Joe made preparations for his wife to join him in Germany . In addition to bringing their child and herself, his wife also brought along a drum set. Joe had befriended a really good guitar player and a base guitar player. As soon as possible they had formed a band that played quite a variety of music. The small band found a day room that wasn't being used and performed concerts for the troops on weekends. When weather wasn't good, the band used a large garage to perform in.

The Base command knew that there were several different bands. The Command put on a "Battle of the Bands" event in which Joe and his guys were runners-up. His feature song was "When the lights go down in the city " by Journey – which he sang during the interview! This was a memorable time for Joe.

In 1984, it was time for Joe to re-deploy to the US. Joe and his family flew back to Omaha. After checking out of the Army, Joe joined the Army Reserve and served in a transportation unit in Lincoln, NE.

Joe earned the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He wears the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge.

Please keep singing that sweet music Joe, it's so inspiring! Thank you for your service!