group was to fill in small holes in a gravel parking lot. The third group was to paint the barracks rooms. The fourth group would cut grass and trim hedges.
With the staff officers supervising the work of the troops, I invited Katie back to the S1 office. Once there, I opened the safe filled with files on everyone.
I looked at Katharine and asked, “Who’s been airborne trained?”
“We’re all airborne trained.”
“What about other training?”
“What training are you talking about?”
“Intelligence training, communication, supply training, among others.”
“Infantry and airborne training is all we have.”
Pam ran into the office. I asked, “What’s up Pam?”
“Sir, it’s the men, sir. They refuse to work.”
I asked Pam, “Where did you get the airborne wings?”
“At airborne school. We all got one.”
Talking to both, I said, “Everyone should be wearing wings.”
I walked outside, yelling, “Fall in on me,” waiting to see what they would do. They slowly formed into the four groups. Only half the soldiers wore the airborne wings.
I yelled. “What is the problem?”
Carl Stanley stepped up and said, “It isn’t fair. We do all the work, and they don’t have to work.”
“I put them in charge. If the work is not done to my standards, I will punish the leaders. If I put you in charge and the work is not to my standards, I will punish you.”
Carl fell back into formation.
“Carl, you will supervise the first group. I need Pam with me.”
As we walked back to the S1 office, Pam asked, “What do you need?”
“I need you to be a battalion commander. The battalion will have three infantry companies, one combat support company and the battalion headquarters and headquarters company. Each company needs a company commander, an executive officer, and three platoon leaders. The combat support company will hold the battalion’s mortars and heavy anti-armor weapons. We need leaders as company commanders. We also need a new S4 for the regiment. In any case, we need to separate the soldiers into our five companies.”
“Well, it wiped out the whole morning. However, I think it went pretty good. Let’s see how the troopers have done with their tasks.
“Katharine, form up the unit please.”
“Please, call me Katie.”
I waited for Katie to form up the unit before going outside. To my surprise, all work was completed. The sidewalk area was outstanding but not how I wanted it done. I went to Carl and stood in front of him.
“What did I tell you to do?”
“We did as you asked.”
“No, you half-buried the rocks. I said to lay them next to the sidewalk.”
“This way is better, sir. The rocks will stay put.”
“This way is better, but my orders must be followed to the letter. If you have a better way, tell me first. Then I will decide whether to approve or disapprove of the idea. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir. Next time, I will ask you.”
“Everyone will move to the entrance to the barracks.”
When everyone moved, I ordered Carl Stanley posted in front of me.
“If I call you to post, you will move and stand in front of me. If I call your name, fall in on Captain Stanley.”
Carl’s jaw dropped, but he closed his mouth and stood silent as I called off the names for alpha company.
“Judith Starling, right here for you.”
I called off names for Bravo Company.
“Steve Ramirez, right here for you.”
I called off names for Charlie Company.
“Donald Benson, right here for you.”
I called off names for Delta Company.
“Mary Stephens, right next to Alpha Company.”
I called off the names for headquarters and headquarters company. I called up James Barlow to be my S4.
“I want to see all commanders right after formation. Commanders, take command of your units and dismiss them for lunch.”
I watched my new commanders. They were really good for newbies.
I walked with my new officers to another barracks. In the operations office was a table with lunch prepared for my staff and commanders. After lunch, we moved on to the S1 office. There were brandy snifters for everyone. I poured a glass for everyone.
Katie asked, “Is this proper?”
“This is for the ceremony. Katie, post these orders for me—I mean, read them, please.”
Katie read, “Attention to orders.”
Everyone snapped to attention.
“This is to certify that Candice Stephanie Johnson is promoted to the rank of captain as of 9 June, 2127.”
I pinned captain bars on Candice. Candice read the orders as I pinned rank on the rest of my staff and commanders. We drank to their new promotions.
“Jim, I have special codes to order supplies and equipment with. These are our buildings for the next fourteen months. Each company has an arms room in the lower floor to hold their weapons and ammunition. We should get a lot of normal unit supplies, tents, field desks, printers, paper, and such in the next few days.”
I heard my phone ring in my office. I answered my phone. “COL Preston speaking.”
I listened to the call, gave our building numbers, and then hung up.
“It seems we have some supplies just minutes away. Formation will be in five minutes. We will have the soldiers unload the trucks into the S4 for inventory.”
I answered a second call and gave the caller the building number.
“Stan, let the troopers know formation will be a little late.”
“What’s the reason for a late formation?”
“Our colors are arriving in a few minutes.”
“What are our colors?
“Our
