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墨書 Inktalez
After finishing lunch, I took advantage of my break to review the Ground Training subjects and standards that had been distributed. They didn't seem too difficult, primarily focusing on Strength Training, supplemented by cooperation and technical training. We couldn't even rely on the Veterans, as all the new recruits had been carefully selected. I thought there shouldn't be any problems; all I needed to do was ignite their enthusiasm!
After waking up in the afternoon, I had Duty sound the Assembly Whistle. The fire I wanted to ignite was our Unit's own Mobilization for Training. I had prepared my speech during lunch. Previously, the new recruits' time in the Unit had revolved around Internal Affairs and Discipline. I believed their real integration with the Unit and with me would begin from today!
Looking at the more than a hundred people gathered below, their eager eyes and vibrant faces reminded me of my own arrival last year. Back then, I was one of them, watching the Unit Commander with admiration. The Company Commander at that time was my role model, and I truly learned a lot from him. Now it seemed clear that to lead a team well, a Commander must possess leadership skills and personal charisma. As I pondered this, the Duty Squad Leader began the formation report. Clearing my throat, I started the mobilization.
"Alright, everyone (please stand at ease), Sharp Blade Company comrades! This morning, the Commander announced that the new year's military training is about to commence! The regiment's party committee called on us during this morning's speech to actively respond to Chairman Hu's great call regarding Technological Military Strength and Technological Training. We must adopt a fresh spirit and immediately immerse ourselves in the wave of technological military training."
I paused slightly here, slowing my tone as I continued, "I don't know if each of you has thought about why you joined the army? This question will be clarified later by your Instructor! But what you need to understand right now is that you are already in the military! You are already in my Unit! This is Sharp Blade Company!"
"We are the Heroic Regiment. The Commander has already passed down orders this morning, and our Unit is among the elite. I don't know how many Commanders have come before us, but we cannot tarnish this name of excellence! Let me ask you again: what are elite troops meant for?! I'll tell you—they're meant for tough battles! Don't believe me?! Let me tell you: war is not far from us! It could be that during your military career, you'll find yourselves fighting against Japan! You might even face off against the Americans!"
"What will you fight with? If you can't even handle regular training, how can you expect to go into battle? Who among you feels a sense of urgency and mission? Nonsense! I don't care about other Units. In my Unit, you must train according to my standards—everything must be grounded in reality and aligned with practical needs!"
"The Veterans know this well; I'm easygoing in daily life. But when it comes to work and training, don't expect me to be lenient! Rest assured, I won't physically punish you—that's not my style. However, I will record all your performances and present them before the Unit. This is called the Honor Roll! I'll see who ends up at the bottom! What excellent soldiers? What end-of-year awards? It all comes down to the Honor Roll! If you haven't achieved anything, don't even think about meritorious service or being promoted to sergeant!"
I scanned the entire company once more. "Comrades, today marks the official start of our training! I want to say one thing: in this new year, Sharp Blade Company must achieve new glory! Does everyone have confidence?!"
"Yes!"
"What?! I can't hear you!"
"Yes!!" Everyone shouted with all their might.
"Very good!" I smiled with satisfaction; isn't this how momentum is built?
After dismissing everyone, Old Tang approached me with a grin. "You could double as an Instructor, Company Commander!"
I smiled and said, "You can’t let your anger out; there’s no time to keep an eye on these kids. I’m always worried they’ll get worn out!"
"That’s true. I noticed you’ve been running around a lot lately. With the Training Commencement coming up, haven’t you sorted out your own matters yet?" Old Tang asked with concern.
I chuckled lightly, "It should be fine now, don’t worry about it, Old Tang!"
However, in the blink of an eye, the results of the first training session left both me and Old Tang feeling uneasy.
The morning session was a baseline for Strength Training, followed by a physical fitness assessment in the afternoon. The results were troubling for both me and Old Tang.
Strength Training was actually quite simple; it involved lifting the Bridge Board. Due to the nature of the profession, all soldiers (except drivers) were required to lift a 180-pound Bridge Board and walk a distance of 0 meters continuously. During training, there was a 10-meter shuttle run line where pairs would lift the Bridge Board to one end and back.
To help the new Veterans integrate quickly and for the recruits to get accustomed as soon as possible, I tried to balance each squad with an equal ratio of new recruits to Veterans—one Veteran paired with one recruit.
Aside from a few exceptions, like the pair with Sheng Xiong or Xu, or combinations where stronger Veterans like Xuanhua were present, the rest had all sorts of mismatches: some had inconsistent pacing; some had uneven strength; and others simply lacked enough power. Many pairs barely managed to reach the 10-meter turnaround line before they could go no further.
Seeing this made me frown; I wondered if other Units were experiencing similar issues.
In the afternoon's physical fitness assessment, which was essentially a five-kilometer cross-country run without any gear, Old Tang and I exchanged glances again: the polarization was severe.
For Veterans, running five kilometers without gear was as easy as pie. However, it was different for the recruits. Previously, they had only run on flat ground in the New Recruits Company; there was no choice since that was how the training syllabus was structured.
But once they left their Unit, it changed to Armed Cross-Country for five kilometers. Although it was without gear, it involved running up and down hills within the regiment. After a year of relaxation, it truly revealed their capabilities!
Most Veterans, along with several recruits, managed to pass. However, many recruits still failed to meet the standard. I had already noticed this during our previous visit to the television station when selecting candidates but hadn’t paid much attention to addressing it afterward.
Now it was clear: counting one by one—one recruit failed! Goodness, that’s over ten percent! After just one year, their physical fitness declined this rapidly?!
What infuriated me the most was that, in the end, it was a fat guy, a Fat Soldier! Just looking at him made me angry. It seemed like he was the last one last time too, and now he was dragging his feet to the finish line.
I simply couldn't tolerate this attitude. You might not pass the run, but you can't just give up, can you? The finish line is right ahead, and you won't even put in an effort!
As he passed by me, I coldly asked, "Hey, it's you. Stop! What’s your name again?!" He wasn't one of my New Recruits Company soldiers, so I couldn't match names to faces.
He lowered his head and walked slowly. Upon hearing me call him, he immediately turned around and stood at attention with an innocent expression. "Reporting to Company Commander, my name is Jinghe!"
Right, I remembered that name; it was quite unusual. Is there even a surname like Jing? "Hey, you! Tell me which squad you're in!"
"Reporting, New Recruits Company!"
"Did you pass the run?"
"Reporting, just barely!"
I couldn't believe my ears. The fat guy actually passed? "Let me ask you, when you were almost at the finish line just now, why didn't you sprint?"
"Reporting, I wanted to sprint, but my strength couldn't keep up with my will!"
What the hell! He was still making excuses! "Damn it! Don't you know that during training in the New Recruits Company, once you hit your limit in long-distance running, you just have to push through?"
"Reporting, I know!"
"Then why didn't you persist and overcome it?"
"Reporting! I hit my limit before reaching 100 meters!"
……
I estimated that my face had turned green with anger. At that moment, a squad leader noticed the situation and rushed over to pull Jinghe, who was Wu Chao, along with Xuanhua, both first-year recruits.
"Is this from your squad?"
"Yes, Company Commander!"
"Was it assigned to you, or did you choose it yourself?!"
"Report, Company Commander, I chose it myself!"
I looked at Wu Chao in disbelief. What kind of squad leader would choose this overweight guy? I weakly waved my hand. I knew that the strength of a Unit does not rely on a few strong individuals, but rather on everyone being strong. However, this situation was truly unexpected.
I really wanted to see if other Units were like this too. That night, holding my report card, I sat in a daze at the Company Headquarters.
(To be continued, more exciting content tomorrow!)
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