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Chapter 5

Tuesday morning, I was in my office when Jamie poked her head in and announced, “Sir, a MAJ Godfrey is here to see you”.

“Send him in, Jamie.”

When he came, I stood up to shake his hand. “Welcome, MAJ Godfrey. What can I do for you?”

“Well, COL Preston, the airborne school has set up a special training session for some soldiers in your unit.”

“Yes, 1,600 troopers are to be trained.”

“Indeed, the training is set for August. However, the soldiers are available for training now.”

“Can the school take all my troopers now?”

“Not all at once. Maybe two companies at a time.”

“Well, we’ll be activated on Friday. Let’s set a date to start with two companies.”

“Sir, if you could send us the names of two companies of soldiers, we can get orders sent out.”

“Then I shall see to it right away.”

“Thank you, sir. Good day.”

After MAJ Godfrey left, I called First Battalion.

“First Battalion, 289th Infantry Regiment Corporal Sarah Macklin, how may I help you?”

“This is COL Preston. MAJ Wagner please.”

Robin picked up the phone. “MAJ Wagner, how may I help you?”

“This is Jim. I just had a visit from the airborne school about classes for my troopers. You need to attend a class also.”

“Yes, I do need to go. When I get orders, I will go.”

“Good, I will send you with the first group.”

“I’ll be ready, sir. Thanks for the heads up.”

After the call, I went to see Candice to get the training set up. I walked into Candice’s office.

“Hi, Candice. I just had a talk with a MAJ Godfrey from the airborne school.”

“Oh, what did he have to say?”

“MAJ Godfrey told me training for the troopers was set for August. However, the early graduation has changed everything.”

“So what happens now?”

“I need you to send the school the names of Alpha Company in both battalions along with MAJ Wagner from First Battalion. Set the class date for about three weeks out.”

“OK, sir. Let me get started on it.”

“Thanks, Candice, I want one Company from each Battalion sent each time.”

“Will do, Colonel. Anything else you need?”

“I need to put 2LT Jamie Terrell some place.”

Jamie suddenly entered the room. I asked her, “Having fun marching?”

“Oh yeah, I love marching, standing proud, looking sharp, marching in a large formation.”

I smiled at Jamie. “I’m glad you enjoy marching. I’m looking forward to marching too.”

“Wow, you love to march too. Cool.”

“I was just talking to CPT Johnson about you. You’ll work with CPT Gonzales as his assistant.”

“Thanks, sir. I do my best.”

Walking back to my office, I heard arguing out front. Walking out, I saw CPT Barlow arguing with a semitruck driver, with several more watching.

“I’m the logistics office. I’ll sign for the delivery.”

“Sorry, sir, I have to have COL Preston’s signature for these loads.”

“Sir, will you come with me?”

I led Jim and the driver into the building.

“Justin, call all battalion commanders and CPT Stephens from HHC. I need them here with their armorers.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get them now.”

“Sir, I just need your signature right here.”

“Are you going to go through each and every crate of rifles with me?”

“What? No, sir. I just need a signature.”

“You’ll only get the signature when every last rifle has been looked at by one of my troopers.”

“Sir, I have a job to do.”

“So do I. I will not sign until all rifles have been accounted for by serial number. Justin, come get me when everyone is here.”

I returned to my office. The rifle nomenclature was familiar, but I needed to get specifications on the rifles. At my computer, I put in AR-238. A picture of the rifle and stats came up. A 6mm assault rifle with high-tech sights. I heard Justin call for me.

“OK, we have several truckloads of rifles and machine guns. Every one of them must be checked off by serial number. Once that is done, they must be separated by unit by CPT Barlow to each battalion and HHC. To make this quicker, we’ll all pitch in and get this done as soon as possible.”

Karen turned to everyone. “Let’s separate the lists by truck and get everything checked. CPT Barlow, you will oversee everything and report to the colonel when we finish.”

“Drivers, come join me for a cup of coffee while they take care of the inventory.” I led the drivers into our conference room. I looked at the drivers. “Have you men had lunch yet?”

“No, sir. We drove straight through.”

I walked out to Justin. “Justin, we need six cups, coffee, and a dozen sandwiches for these drivers.”

“Yes, sir. Calling the mess hall.”

Going back into the conference room, I said, “Coffee and sandwiches will be here soon.”

“We do thank you, sir. How long do you think it will take?”

“Depends on how many weapons don’t match the paperwork.”

“What do you mean?”

“Judging from the size of the delivery, there may be five to ten weapons with mismatched serial numbers. If so, we must document the serial numbers on the paperwork before I sign it.”

Justin walked in with a cart full of sandwiches and coffee. The drivers started in as we waited for Jim.

CPT Barlow walked in forty minutes later.

“What’s the problem, Jim?”

“All done. All serial numbers match.”

“Are you sure? I expected about five to ten to be wrong.”

“Yes, sir. All are correct.”

I took the papers and signed all five batches of receipts. “There you go. You all have a safe drive home. Jim, get them distributed out to all units, then get the weapons in arms rooms locked up.”

“Already done, sir. We did it as we went. All units have their weapons.”

“Thanks, Jim. Maybe we can use them in the ceremony.”

“We’ll work on making that happen.”

I walked into Katie’s office. “There is an officer’s party with dignitaries’ in attendance. All officers will be required to attend. The uniform is mess blues or dress blue uniforms. If anyone needs help, I will be available.”

“What are mess blue uniforms?”

“The mess blue uniform is short jacket with a tail and slacks with a sash for men. Ladies have a jacket, white blouse, and skirt with a sash around the waist. I can help anyone get a set if needed. I have a set myself.”

Wednesday, we did the activation of the subordinate battalions. I used it as a practice for the ceremony next week. Jane Minder was here for the ceremonies. Everything went pretty smoothly.

“Wow, Jim. They look really good.”

“They take well to training, Jane. I think we are ready now for the president.”

Thursday afternoon was our last practice for the ceremony. LTC Wilson was playing the senior commander. The command sergeant majors watched and critiqued the ceremony. CSM Fox brought the cased colors. After a second run through of the ceremony, Katie hollered, “Pass in review.”

With that command, I ordered to my staff, “Right turn, march.”