I watched as both platoons were raked by machine gun fire in the creek. Bravo Company got thirty troopers past the creek only to get caught in a crossfire. The attack only lasted for another two minutes, and then it was over.
The observers reset everyone’s MILES gear, and then Alpha Company went to the assembly area for lunch.
“You did really good, Karen, but now comes the hard part. We have to make an attack.”
“Well, I hope my plan works out.”
“We’ll see soon enough.”
Tom came up to us to tell us the results of the evaluation.
“It seems LTC Reynolds ran into a buzz saw. Alpha Company had 16 percent causalities, Bravo Company had 92 percent causalities. If you can do better than Bravo, you should win.
Wednesday night was our attack. Karen sent one fireteam of troopers to start a distraction on the west. The rest of Alpha moved to the east end to move north to the creek to prepare to cross the creek in an attack. We waited for our lone fireteam to start the diversion. We watched a trip flare go off. Suddenly, the whole west side of the battlefield erupted into a mass of gunfire. A parachute flare launched over Bravo showed about forty troopers out in the open.
As LTC Reynolds watched, a trip flare showed a handful of soldiers. Reynolds gave the order to open fire. Every soldier fired at the trip flare, hoping to get a hit. Half of the soldiers moved east to get into the fight. A parachute flare lit up the area.
Suddenly, Karen hollered, “Charge!” Everyone ran across the creek, firing as they ran. Stevens command post was overrun in a minute as we slammed into Bravo Company. Troopers were dropping left and right on both sides.
LTC Reynolds heard “Charge!” behind him, turning in time to see most of Alpha Company coming at him. I stopped in front of him as Alpha Company troopers ran past to engage what was left of his company. It was so frantic that MG Saunders called a stop to the exercise. LTC Reynolds was yelling and cussing at me for the attack.
LTC Reynolds yelled, “You won’t get these damn brats. I’ll see to that.”
I smiled at LTC Reynolds. Only time will tell who wins this one.
“Karen, get the company formed up. Then get them on a truck for the trip back to the barracks. Get their weapons cleaned then get some rest. I have a meeting Friday morning with Col Carlisle in his office.”
I walked to the staging area where Jamie is parked. I get in and turn to Jamie.
“Drop me off at my quarters. I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow I need to check on the barracks. They need to be ready for our troopers to move into.”
“Yes sir.”
Jamie drops me off and leaves. Time to get some sleep. My alarm sounds at 0500. I crawl out of bed and into the shower. I get dressed for duty. I go to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. At 0730 I hear Jamie honk the horn. Leaving my quarters Jamie drives me to work. In my temporary office I read reports on the barracks. Katie comes in to talk.
“How did it go?”
“We won both sides. I just need to wait for them to declare the winner and release the troopers.”
The rest of my day just dragged by.
Friday morning, I was in Bill’s office with LTC Reynolds, MG Saunders, and Jane Minder. MG Saunders started the debriefing.
“Alpha Company was more successful in this exercise. They took less causalities than Bravo Company.”
LTC Reynolds stammered, “W-With all due respect, sir, Alpha Company used pyrotechnics to distract my company.”
“You used smoke grenades, but nothing was restricted from being used.”
LTC Reynolds just glared at me. Jane moved next to MG Saunders to speak.
“COL Preston, the soldiers of both battalions will be transferred to your command as of 0600 hours tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you for the troopers.”
“LTC Reynolds, you will have new orders on Monday. Promotion orders to colonel will be here in the morning.”
Pat stopped me. “What did you tell the young soldier before she left?”
“I told her we have the exercise in the bag.”
After we left the office, I stopped Jane. “Can I get two sets of promotion orders tomorrow.”
“For who?”
“Karen Maria Rivera for command of Second Battalion, and Thomas Patrick James.”
“Why the orders for MAJ James?”
“I want him to command the First Battalion. I will shift Pam over to the Third Battalion.”
“Then I will see you in the morning with the orders.”
Saturday morning, I picked up the orders from Jane.
“What if he doesn’t want the battalion?”
“I know Tom, he will jump at the chance to get a battalion.”
“I hope you know what you are doing.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know.”
I went with Jamie to Alpha Company barracks to find Karen. When we found her, I grabbed her bags.
“Follow me.”
“Yes, sir. Where are we going?”
“To pick up Tom and then to my office.”
Tom was waiting for me. As he got in, he said, “If it isn’t the Tiger of Fort Benning.”
I turned to Tom. “Tom, I want you to take command of my First Battalion.”
“Me, I’d love to take the job, but I don’t get promoted until September.”
“Jamie, to my office.”
As Jamie drove, we talked about the exercise. When we arrived, my staff was waiting. Once in the headquarters, I gave the orders to Candice to post as I pinned on the rank.
“Attention to orders, Thomas Patrick James is promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel effective 27 June 2127.”
“I should have seen this was coming.”
“Candice, if you please.”
“Attention to orders, Karen Maria Rivera is promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel effective 27 June 2127.”
Karen stood with her mouth wide open. Katie smiled as she watched me pin on a silver oak leaf and remarked, “It’s not a matter of age, it’s a matter of leadership.”
“Here
