My First Day as a Tower Rat at the Allred Unit
Getting to work the tower is sort of a nice thing that used to be reserved strictly for senior bosses. Now, while the senior bosses still dominate the tower schedule, the less-senior bosses get an occasional chance to climb the endless stairwell and peer out onto the vastness of the Allred Unit.
My first chance was over a year ago. The Sergeant "posting" the towers opened the door at the base of the tower and up the winding stairs I went. When I thought I was about finished climbing, more stairs appeared out of nowhere. When I finally got to the top, I was out of breath. It took me a half a minute or so to recover. I inventoried all of the equipment (revolver, AR-15, shotgun, ammunition, chemical agents, flashlight, raincoat, keys, spotlight, emergency bottle of Jack Daniels, and then signed for said equipment. No, there's no Jack Daniels. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. I signed my post orders and watched the other officer descend through the trap door and down the stairs.
All alone, I looked around to see what I could see. I could see for miles and miles in all directions. I had a clear view of the twin, razor-wire-topped chain link fences stretching out to the limits of my post.
I opened the door and slowly stepped out onto the catwalk. When I say slowly, I mean s-l-o-o-o-o-w-l-y. You see, I'm somewhat afraid of heights. The catwalk, you see, consists of a see-though grate. This means I could clearly see the deadly ground about 40 feet below. At the bottom was not grass, but the concrete base of the tower. Not that it would make any difference if the catwalk gave way and sent me on the quick journey downward.
The funny thing is that I'm a former pilot and skydiver! Flying a plane and even standing in the open door of one at 12,000 feet is nothing like standing on the roof of a two or three story building and looking over the edge. I can't even stand to get close to a window in a high-rise building! You can get hurt falling off of a building - or a gun tower!
Back to the tower. I'm standing on the catwalk, but I've got a death grip on the doorknob with one hand and a similar grip on the guard rail that encircles the tower. It takes me a minute or so before I can let go. Mind you, I'm making all of this look as natural as possible in case anyone is watching.
Time to venture out and walk around the catwalk. After all, the post orders require that I be out there when there are offenders outside the fence, in my zone, working. And, it wouldn't be a bad idea to be out there if I saw one or two of them climbing over the fence. So, I might as well shake the tower-rat jitters once and for all.
I let go of the door but not the railing. I stand up straight and take a few steps on the catwalk, not daring to look down. Instead, I look out at the various buildings of the unit all the while trying to make my steps look as natural as possible. I wouldn't want to get "clowned" by my co-workers about my first day of tower duty.
I make a full circuit on the catwalk. It wasn't easy, folks. Then I switch hands on the guard rail and make the circuit in the opposite direction. Then, I convince myself to let go of the rail and make a circuit hands-free, just like a big boy! After about a half-hour or so, I'm comfortable with the catwalk and now it doesn't bother me any more.
The towers, by the way, are pretty well-equipped for a 6 hour, or longer, tour of duty. There's a toilet, heating and air conditioning, a sink and a coffee pot. You have to bring your own coffee, filters and cup, of course. A microwave oven would be nice, Warden!
Maynard Hawkins