[December 18, 2025] It seems like a lifetime ago. First Grade began for me in 1958, now nearly seven decades ago, and so my memory has faded somewhat. But that rainy morning in September or October, my mother dressed me in a new yellow raincoat that smelled of rubber. To me, the new raincoat made me feel special, and I was proud that my Mom was there for me and taking the time to make sure I was ready for my long walk to school.
“Don’t forget your raincoat when you come home,” she said. “And learn your ABCs.” It was a careful reminder that she cared, and for a little boy scared of school, this meant the world to me. I was embarking on an adventure, of sorts, one that both frightened me and yet drew me toward it, like iron to a magnet.
Boys need their mothers when they are young, and we should remain appreciative of that, regardless of where we are in life. I credit my Mom with being a role model in my early years, and her consideration of my deficiencies helped me develop the understanding and skills necessary to succeed as a military officer. I learned to work with many young men, where patience was my gift to them. My patience sometimes did wear thin, I readily admit.
Like most boys, I was skeptical of the formalized and rigid school system. The way for boys to overcome their skepticism could be through physical prowess (which didn’t work for this skinny kid) or for them becoming better with their words when speaking. Talking became my primary way to overcome obstacles, rather than physical ones.
I would discover slowly, very slowly, that the skill to communicate and to think was a wide field of opportunity. School certainly does not teach this well, especially to boys. But it’s more important to teach it to boys, because they’re generally more reluctant to appreciate school. The reason is that boys, like me, are less obedient and less agreeable.
Schools are not well adapted to either boys or girls, for that matter. I know that I didn’t have the personality to sit still and be bored out of my skull for seven hours. Even during lunch, which lasted 15 minutes, I had to stand in line with my tray, sit down to eat, and then dispose of the trash in the designated can, all while remaining silent. Lunch was for eating, not talking. I’m of the belief that schools just might be designed to drive boys mad.
Through hard work, I learned my ABCs and how to speak clearly. A minor speech impediment was what set me on the right path. My parents hired a man who helped me pronounce words that I found difficult. My motivation was that I didn’t like being laughed at when mispronouncing common words like “umbrella.”
That yellow raincoat became a symbol of more than my mother’s caring and love, it became a proof that I was protected from the unknown and malevolent world. The raincoat stood out with its yellow color, so that others could see me in the rain; cars would not run me down, older boys would not mess with me, and teachers could find me if I were lost.
I survived First Grade and primary school. Later, I would discover in Middle School that my education was wholly inadequate. It was an awakening and shocking to learn I was not what I needed to be. Later, the Army came out with a great slogan that sums it up. “Be all you can be.”
That new yellow raincoat is long gone now. And if there was anything materially that affected me in a good way, that was it; the yellow raincoat.
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Like the lovely childhood so many of us had with our parents and our brothers and sisters. Those of us who did grow up like this, had a wonderful (yet, challenging) upbringing. And that is what makes us stable, moral, and live a good life.
ashley, if you grew up in the 50s, 60s, or even in the 70s, we all had this experience. But, i hate to say it but the West is failing because we’ve decided to import third world crude cultures that are in opposition to Christianity and our way of life. Too bad political Leftists are trying to destroy what so many generations have built. The destruction of our democracy is only a matt3er of time.
Marvelous!
Gen. Satterfield, this article made me smile. I remember clearly the talks that my father and grandfather had with me growing up and the struggles he had. The Baby Boom generation were born at a time of greatness in America, but there were so many of them, that they were involved in competition their whole lives, especially growing up. Everything they did meant both learning how to get along with many other kids, from all over and with many personalities and backgrounds, plus doing well in school. This drove them to be compeititive even in finding a good spouse. Then they had to raise kids in a similar environment. Ever heard of “Keeping up with the Joneses?” Yep, the were the ones also who helped design and build all the infrastructure we have today that continues to serve us well. Sir, thanks again for this article, and like others it did make me smile.
We are learning more and more about what made Gen. Satterfield who he is. The problem for me is that I cannot figure out how his experinces translate into him being a senior Flag Officer in the US Army.
Osmodsann, and that is one of the main reasons that I read this blog. I would like to add that I also read autobiographies to learn what great men were going through and what they were thinking (and how they think). This is one good way of learning how to duplicate their thinking to make me a better person.
Sir, I can tell that your English teacher was probably frustrated with you …. Ha ha. But anyways, you can get your point across to everyone. Here is my favorite quote, “That yellow raincoat became a symbol of more than my mother’s caring and love, it became a proof that I was protected from the unknown and malevolent world. The raincoat stood out with its yellow color, so that others could see me in the rain; cars would not run me down, older boys would not mess with me, and teachers could find me if I were lost.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield telling us that he was wanted and loved. And that is what helped him be who he became.
A good laugh here. And, thanks for the mini-psychology lessons. 🤠
An enjoyable read about a southern boy growing up in the 50s and 60s. This is a real classic and very good read, although too short. We’d like just a little more of this story to go with your “Letters to my Granddaughter.” That, Gen. S, let’s have more.
It’s always something unexpected and here we are, Cowboy Bob 🤠. Enjoy your readings here. My personal thinking is that these articles are just too short. When I read Gen. S’s books, that’s okay because he is detailing everything, but not in his daily posts. Sir, please make your posts longer. The longer ones are more enjoyable because it stretches out the reading time and thus the enjoyment time. Does this make any sense? Probably not!
Desert Cactus, I haven’t heard from you in a few weeks. Hope you are well. Also, good comment about these articles being just too short. I do enjoy them, yet, I believe Gen. Satterfield is trying to get his points across quickly without a lot of fanfare.
I find these trips back into the early days of gen. Satterfield as a little boy to be interesting at best. Good story telling. What I’d like to see, and this story begins that process, is to link the stories with how they affect ordinary kids. So, Gen. Satterfield had a yellow raincoat and it made an impression on him; him mother cared. But today, a raincoat is nothing for a kid. We are much economically richer today than in Gen. Satterfield’s time (as a boy in the 1950s and 60s). So, what is the affect? Do kids realize their parents care for them, or not? Do they wonder if their parents are even around, not working? The dynamics are different today, and this is why we need that “tie-in” to kids today vs. half a century ago.
Right, schools were not designed to teach much beyond the basics. They have evolved into propaganda centers.
Sittin’ with my dog.
Readin’ this leadership blog.
Drinkin’ my drog.
Goin’ for a jog.
And.. appreciating this readin’ and learnin’ how to get along with others and to live a good life.
Be sure everyone to get your copy of Gen. Satterfield’s “55 Rules for a Good Life” and you will appreicate my advice.
😂 LOL 😂 Gotcha’
Wow, another peep inside the life of Gen. S. when he was a little tike. There is some insight that we can all gain from these “letters” and in this one on The Yellow Raincoat we see that the formal educational systems – at least in the South – were inadequate. And maybe counter productive for boys. This is something that he recognized but at the time it was dismissed. We see regional differences in the quality of education but the missed part is that boys are being left out. Schools are designed around the personality of girls, not boys. Boys need much more physical activity, and spatial stimulation (like in mathematics). We can encourage boys to excel in these areas, it just takes a little more effort. Sadly, the teachers are mostly women and they will not understand , ever. 🇺🇸
Good one, Gen. Satterfield to be added to your “Letters to My Granddaughter.” That entire series is absolutely and totally entertaining. I would wait for more like it.
YEP …. GOOD ONE