June 1, 1967, outside the gates of Ft. Benning, Georgia, Drill Instructor Hector Marino, is on his way home after a hard day on post training new recruits. Kaboom! Next the sound of leaking air, Hector’s car has a blow out.

“Oh man!” he cries as he slaps the seat. “This is all I need. Carmen will be expecting us for dinner in ten minutes. He pulls the car to the shoulder of the two-lane road. Fumbling in the trunk, he finds his jack and begins to raise the car enough to change the tire. Soon he pulls off the flat tire and wheel. Suddenly a green four-door older sedan pulls up behind his car and out come four civilian men.  “Give us your money!” they demand.

Hector is an Airborne Green Beret, and he will not be robbed without a fight.  “Tough guy, huh?” asks one of the men. “Naw, man, all the tough guys are dead,” answers Hector as he takes a fighting stance. One of the men says, “Come on man, this guy is trouble. Let’s split.”

About that time, the back door of Hector’s car opens, and a sleepy, stretching, 6’4” yawning drill instructor, Kevin Smith makes his appearance. “What are these punks up to?” asks Kevin, looking puzzled.

“Man, let’s beat it. I know this dude, he’s bad news. I’ve seen him fight. He has a black belt and is a barroom fighter. They call him Psycho!” “Wait a minute,” demands Kevin, as he pulls a deer rifle out of the car. “I know you guys think you’re just going to walk away from this. No way, Jose. Welcome to my world, and justice must be served.”

Kevin hands the rifle to Hector and says, “Cover me dude, in case they get some crazy ideas. Here’s the plan: empty your pockets, just to be sure there are no guns or knives. Whose piece of junk is this?” insists Kevin. “It’s mine,” says a tall, thin greasy haired guy.  “Where’s the bill of sale?” asks Kevin. “In the glove box,” says the man. “Get it,” says Kevin.  The man hurriedly gets the bill of sale and hands it to Kevin.

“Now, take this pen and make a new bill of sale and sign it over to me,” says Kevin. The fellow says, “Man you are crazy. I paid a thousand bucks cash for this car!” “You got gypped,” says Kevin. “Sign the bill of sale over to me or you will never hold another steering wheel again.” The man signs it reluctantly.  “Now here’s the deal: each one of you clowns is going to apologize to my friend, Hector, and then you are going to wash his tires and wheels with your socks and spit. Get them off now!” insists Kevin. They all kick off their shoes and remove their socks and each one apologizes to Hector. “Now start washing those wheels and tires before I lose my temper, "shouts Kevin.

 “Or if you prefer, you can go bare knuckles with me, and if you win, you won’t have to wash his wheels and tires.” They all begin washing. When they are finished, Kevin says, “I’ve got my eyes closed, and I’ll count to ten, and when I open them again, if I see your ugly faces, my temper will explode and you will feel my wrath. One, two, three.”  The men run away like Olympic marathoners.

After the count reaches ten, Kevin opens his eyes to see only Hector laughing uncontrollably at Kevin’s brashness. The soldiers congratulate one another with high fives and Kevin swings Hector in a little victory dance celebration. Kevin follows Hector in his newly acquired ride.  At the dinner table, Hector’s wife is sad because of the news of Hector and Kevin’s departure for a second tour of Vietnam in July.