Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 102: Second Class Merit? Did that guy make another contribution?
The morning's assembly test was just a trial run at best.

Each class leader is responsible for creating a sufficient atmosphere for the assessment.

By the afternoon, the difficulty began to soar.

Even Chen Mo, the "nuclear weapon" of the second company, was not hidden. The notice was that all the recruits needed to go into battle together.

The privates in each squad had their numbers written on a piece of cloth on their chests and pinned to their uniforms with a safety pin, just like when they were competing in Wohu Bay.

Three thousand meters barehanded and five kilometers fully equipped, taking turns.

At the finish line, there were veterans holding timers recording the results of each class.

In the words of the squad leaders, the assessment before joining the company is the time to reap the rewards after three months of hard work.

No one can let down in the last hurdle. There is no shortcut to physical training, the only way is to practice more.

This itself is a process of mass production to achieve qualitative change.

What the squad leader wants is the collective score during the assessment, while what the recruits want is their own comprehensive performance during the graduation assessment.

On the third platoon side, Lao Pao is not here, so Wang Jianyong is responsible for the training arrangements for squads seven, eight and nine.

I just finished a 5km test with full gear, and when the last person crossed the finish line,

Wang Jianyong did not give everyone a chance to rest. He immediately put the whistle in his mouth, opened his eyes, and blew it with a full breath.

"Beep-beep!!"

"gather."

After counting the number of people in the three rows and making sure everyone is present.

Wang Jianyong held the performance record sheet in his hand. Without looking for anyone else, he walked to the front of the seventh squad and hit the chests of the two recruits in the front row several times with a book clip.

After letting out a breath, he glared at the queue and said, "At ease."

"Tell me about it."

"Fuck, I'm already so lazy after the New Year, or I just can't muster up any energy?"

"what!!"

"I've been training for over two months, almost three months. Some people can run 3,000 meters in nine minutes, while others can only run 14 minutes before I see you at the finish line."

"Why, is it so difficult to see you?"

"Also, how long has it been since the awards were given? You wouldn't know until you see it. There are still people with limp feet who can't even march. How dare you show off such lousy grades? I'm embarrassed to even look at them."

"Each class will have a ten-minute break. Class seven will begin the 3,000-meter run at the whistle. If I don't ask you to do it in eight or nine minutes, you won't be able to do it."

"If the whole class can finish running within eleven minutes, I will let you go. Disband!"

I heard that there will be more testing later.

The students in Class 8 untied their backpacks one by one, sat down on the ground, and gasped for breath.

After all, not everyone can run five kilometers with full gear in more than sixteen minutes like Chen Mo, and he has to sit and rest for half a day.

The rest of the class dragged their tired bodies and barely made it to the finish line.

Feng Junling, after running a few laps in the cold winter, looked like he had been fished out of the water. When he sat down on the ground, all his strength seemed to be drained away.

A weak posture.

He picked up the kettle and gulped down half of it. He raised his hand to wipe his mouth and said, "Deputy Squad Leader, I really can't do this anymore. 3,000 meters in eleven minutes, I can't finish it even if you pull me."

"You really have such a wasted pair of long legs." Yang Dali curled his lips and turned his head away, not wanting to look at him.

Mainly in the army, if there is one person in a class who fails to meet the requirements, the whole class will be punished and no one can escape.

Chen Mo was also helpless.

Feng Junling probably has uncoordinated limbs, which results in him not being able to keep up with all aspects of training.

Just now Wang Jianyong said that some individuals are turning with their feet turned, and this individual refers to Lao Feng.

Not only can he not walk in circles, but he can't run fast, can't pull up on the horizontal bar, and can't hold up on the parallel bars. He's really almost maxed out his buffs.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

Almost every class has a top student with good grades, and then a laggard who drags down the class's overall score.

There is Feng Junling in Class 8 and Lu Jun in Class 7. These two people can make those old soldiers worry to death.

"Don't worry, if it really doesn't work, I'll go talk to Squad Leader Wang and let Class 8 practice with you first."

Chen Mo got up from the ground, handed the backpack and gun to Yang Dali, and continued: "If the squad leader agrees, I will go to the utility room to find a rope, and Dali, Zhiang, and I will pull you away."

"Row."

When Feng Junling heard this, he immediately agreed.

That's his only good point.

Although he is not good at anything, his attitude is very good.

Even if the old soldiers kicked him, Feng Junling would endure it, turn around and smile.

Even if you scold him, he won't take it seriously and will still be happy. But if you criticize him, he will immediately admit his mistake.

This soldier has an unusually good attitude. Although he complains in private, he never confronts the veterans in person.

Seeing that he agreed very readily, Chen Mo patted the dust off his butt and walked towards Wang Jianyong.

When there are soldiers with poor overall performance in the class, there is no other good way but to train them, train hard.

"Monitor."

When Chen Mo walked up to Wang Jianyong, Old Wang was smoking and chatting with a few other veterans.

Seeing him coming, Wang Jianyong took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to him.

He asked, "What's wrong, scholar? What's the matter?"

"No big deal." Chen Mo took the cigarette and turned to point to Class 8. "Our class's Junling isn't very fit, so I thought we'd skip the test and let Class 8 take it. We'll take him for a few more 3,000-meter runs and see if we can get a passing grade."

"He."

Speaking of the big man from Class 8, Wang Jianyong's face was filled with worry. He raised his hand and scratched his hair: "I was just talking about this matter. The higher-ups decided that he would be assigned to the company on the 15th day of the first lunar month."

"The final assessment for new recruits will probably start on the 12th, or even the 11th. There aren't many days left."

"His training results are not good. It must be related to the lack of coordination of his limbs. I heard that Lao Pao is going to put him in the artillery camp, right?"

"During the assessment, we can just borrow someone from the artillery battalion, change their name and clothes, and then conduct the assessment. From now on, let the artillery battalion teach the company themselves."

Well.
When Chen Mo heard this arrangement, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Since the assessment of new recruits has a great impact on squad leaders, the situation described by Wang Jianyong does occasionally occur.

"Then I should give it a try." Chen Mo thought about it and decided to give it a try.

Hearing this, Wang Jianyong thought he was a scholar and could not accept this kind of treatment.

He patiently explained, "We definitely have to try. Go ahead and do it, but don't tell them about the test beforehand. If it doesn't work out, I'll go to the artillery camp."

"Also, our instructor has said before that top soldiers don't necessarily have to have good physical fitness to be called top soldiers."

"A soldier with good ideas is also a good soldier. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Lao Pao is not in the class, so you should help him if you can, but don't let it affect your own grades."

"When the four companies are to undergo a unified assessment, our Second Company will be counting on you to take the lead."

"Yes, squad leader, I understand. I won't delay."

Chen Mo puffed out his chest and said, "Then I'll go to the first floor of the dormitory to see if there's a rope. I'll pull him along and practice with him later."

"Go ahead. If you can't find the rope, go to the second floor of the company headquarters and look for the quartermaster. He must buy a lot of groceries every day."

Chen Mo nodded and walked towards the dormitory building.

As for what the squad leader just said, even if one has poor military qualities but good thoughts, he can still be a good soldier.

He couldn't deny this.

Because that's the truth.

Soldiers like Feng Junling, who have a good mentality and strong thinking, once on the battlefield and get angry, really dare to rush forward with explosives in their arms.

Who can say that this kind of soldier is bad?

But the problem is that grassroots troops value physical fitness. For a good soldier like Feng Junling, everyone can find his shining points.

The key lies in who is willing to accept it?
Anyway, Chen Mo felt that if he really handed Old Feng to Wang Jianyong, he would be assigned to the reconnaissance company when the time came.

Lao Wang will definitely jump up and wave his hands and say no.

After all, the definition is the definition and the reality is the reality. We are all comrades in the same class. If we can help each other before joining the company, we must help.

Otherwise, when you leave the recruit company and move to a new company, you will go to an unfamiliar place where there will not be many soldiers of the same age as you, and you will be mixed in with old soldiers.

It will only make you sadder.

Chen Mo found a rope as thick as a baby's arm in the storage room on the first floor of the second dormitory, returned to the runway, and left Zhu Gaituan to watch the backpack and the gun.

The remaining six people were like oxen plowing the fields.

They took turns dragging Feng Junling to run,

In the open space of the training ground, many privates who were resting were staring at the people from Class 8, who were working alone in the company.

It was hard for them to understand why they had to be so tired. They couldn't even run on their own, but they took advantage of the rest time to run with three of them dragging one behind them.

Wouldn’t that be more tiring?

When new recruits enter the military camp for the first time, they are all confused and ignorant.

Little did they know that the scholar who was running in front with a rope tied to his neck and trying hard to pull his comrades was not entering the military camp for the first time.

In his previous life, Chen Mo also knew nothing and entered the military camp in confusion. He stumbled along the way, experiencing joy and sadness, excitement and depression, determination and anxiety.

It was the 1990s, when information was underdeveloped and I had almost no knowledge of the military before I entered the barracks. Later, Chen Mo kept thinking about it.

If there was someone who could teach him some military knowledge in advance, would his military career have been smoother?

Those who understand the past are not admonished, and those who know the coming can be pursued.

Chen Mo will try his best to help wherever he can, to the best of his ability.

It's better than actually going to the artillery camp to find someone, changing clothes and names.

It happened to be New Year's Day in the military camp, but there wasn't much of a New Year's atmosphere.

They are all under pressure from the upcoming assessment and are working hard to improve their military qualities.

And at this time.

Cao Deming, the Minister of Armed Forces who is far away in Fu County, is quite relaxed.

The armed forces department does not have to work on the second day of the New Year. According to regulations, they will start working on the seventh day.

According to the local custom on the second day of the Lunar New Year in my hometown, every household starts visiting relatives today.

Cao Deming was no exception. Early in the morning on the second day of the Lunar New Year, he rode his bicycle, took his wife and daughter, and went to his father-in-law's house to spend the whole day.

At noon, I accompanied my father-in-law to drink some local wine from Fu County. I felt dizzy and rode my bike home in the afternoon.

Both the daughter and the daughter-in-law have to stay at the father-in-law's house for two days.

After a day of wandering around, I returned home.

Cao Deming made a cup of strong tea, squatted in front of the TV, raised his hand to turn the knob, intending to find a channel to lie down and watch TV.

This is freshly brewed tea, and I haven’t even had the chance to drink it yet.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Cao Deming rubbed his head, stood up and looked outside the door.

"Lao Cao, open the door. Where have you been all day?"

Recognizing the voice as that of his partner Dong Guoqiang, he didn't take it seriously. He put the porcelain jar in his hand on the TV, walked to the door, unbolted it, and took a look outside.

I found that only Dong Guoqiang came here, and there was a bicycle leaning against the wall at the door.

Cao Deming said angrily: "Why are you coming to my place during Chinese New Year? You rode your bike dozens of kilometers from your home and came to my place without even bringing anything."

The two have been partners for quite some time, so there is no need for them to be polite to each other.

"I brought you something?" Dong Guoqiang glared. "You almost missed the event, you know?"

"The city's military sub-district has notified us that Chen Mo has made another contribution in the army. They asked us to quickly notify Chen Mo's family and arrange a time to present him with the award."

"We should take advantage of the Lunar New Year holiday when everyone is at home to promote next year's conscription. We should make a special phone call to finalize the matter of sending merit."

"What's finalized about this? Didn't we send out the good news before the New Year?" Cao Deming still didn't understand what was going on.

"The good news has been delivered home. Even if it is changed to send merit, there is no need to be so anxious."

"You know nothing."

Dong Guofeng raised his voice a little. Before he even said this, he became extremely excited.

"I'm talking about Chen Mo. He's made another contribution in the army, this time a second-class merit. The Hedong 63th Armored Brigade personally emailed and called the city, and the rd Army Party Committee also called to talk about it."

"The city has asked us to finalize the details of the ceremony as soon as possible and to schedule a time with the comrades' families. The city staff are already preparing to depart."

"Do you understand?"

"What's the matter?"

"Second class merit?"

Cao Deming was stunned. He raised his hand and hit his head hard, trying to make himself more awake.

Then, with a hint of doubt, he asked, "Are you talking about Chen Mo from Xinglong Village, Shiqiao Town, who won the Second Class Merit?"

"Yeah! That's right!!"

Dong Guoqiang stood in front of him and nodded calmly. He understood his old partner's doubts very well.

After all, Chen Mo was a new recruit sent to the army more than two months ago after they investigated his social connections in all aspects.

How long have you been in the army?
A few years ago, he was awarded a third-class merit for winning first place in a competition. This military honor was enough to shock them both at the time.

But who can think of it.

This kid is so capable. It was only the New Year, but he suddenly got a second-class merit.

If Dong Guoqiang hadn't confirmed the news with the military sub-district over the phone, even he wouldn't have dared to believe it.

The main thing is that this guy has only been in the army for a few days. Not to mention making any achievements, the fact that he has been able to truly adapt to the army is already quite fast.

"Wait a minute, let me figure out what's going on."

Cao Deming was a little panicked and walked back and forth at the door twice. He broke out in a cold sweat and his head became a little clearer.

Then he said, "Old Dong, don't tease me. Chen Mo from Shiqiao Town has won a second-class merit again, and the city wants to send him a reward."

"Why do I not believe it so much?"

"Believe it or not." Dong Guoqiang obviously didn't have the patience to explain.

He walked past Lao Cao, pushed the bicycle out of the yard and parked it at the door.

"Hurry up and lock the door and go to the county. The people from the military sub-district are almost here, but you can't find them for ages. When you were delivering the merit, the head of the armed forces wasn't here. What are you doing?"

Cao Deming didn't know what he was thinking. He locked the door in a panic, got on his bicycle, pedaled hard, and followed the political commissar.

The two went straight to the county armed forces department.

Along the way, Cao Deming didn't understand how Chen Mo could win the third-class merit and the second-class merit consecutively in the army in such a short period of time.

It’s just third class.

Lao Cao is at least a regimental-level cadre, so he is very interested in this kind of competition between two large units, or the year-end evaluation of merits and awards, which involve some hard work.

It wasn't enough to surprise him.

But the second-class merit is different. Even if we put aside all luck, personal performance must not be left behind, and all conditions must be taken into consideration.

To put it bluntly, a new recruit who has just joined the army is not qualified to receive the second-class merit.

"Old Dong, did the city government tell us why Chen Mo achieved such merit?"

Cao Deming pedaled his bicycle faster, caught up with the political commissar in front, and asked.

"I'm not sure, but the office must have received the email. Let's take a quick look and notify the department to come to work. If we can finalize the award today, we'll do it as soon as possible."

"Go back to the office first. I'll call Xiao Wang and have him notify someone."

There is no one on duty during the holidays in the Armed Forces Department. It is a local department and has only a few staff vacancies.

Cao Deming rushed into the armed forces department on his bicycle, and with a "clang", he pulled the back seat and parked the bike downstairs.

His legs moved as if they were on Hot Wheels, and he ran to the second floor in two steps. He took the key from his waist and opened the office door.

The armed forces department was already equipped with computers at that time.

After all, Eagle City in the 1990s was still quite impressive, and the hardware facilities of the counties below it could also keep up.

Come to the big-butt computer.

Cao Deming pulled over a chair and sat down, turned on the computer, and waited for it to start up. He was so excited that he couldn't stand it.

When he heard the news just now, he couldn't believe it. After all, meritorious service is not something that can be obtained easily.

When the new recruits arrived at the army, they were awarded third-class merit and second-class merit, so Lao Cao didn't even have to go to the army to inquire.

Just thinking about it, you can tell that this kind of soldier will definitely receive special attention.

Cao Deming is quite clear about the policies in the army.

The army has been undergoing transformation in the past two years, aiming to build a force that can adapt to the new era.

As a result, the training of cadres also began to place more emphasis on cultural level.

This year's changes to the non-commissioned officer rank system include the cancellation of the policy of converting to volunteer soldiers in 1994, and the cancellation of the policy of converting volunteers to officers this year.

All of this indicates that the army has begun to attach importance to the training of highly educated talents.

Cao Deming also knew Chen Mo's background.

He is a high school student. With the innate conditions, he might be able to catch this opportunity.

The second-class function changes a person's destiny, and if Chen Mo can really make a name for himself in the army.

It can be considered as opening a path for the people in my hometown.

Cao Deming was quite smart. In just a short while, he began to plan a trip to No. 1 High School.

Changing Chen Mo's dropping out of school to high school graduation is not difficult in itself and is also in line with policy.

In fact, there are no new courses in the second year of high school. If there are special circumstances, you can still get a high school diploma.

What's more, I'm in the third year of high school and have already studied for half a semester.

At the beginning, the Armed Forces Department only sent people to issue certificates to facilitate the transfer of files.

It's not like he deleted the school information. The child in Fu County has made great progress, so Cao Deming must be thinking about him.

Wait for the computer to turn on.

When Lao Cao saw the content of the email forwarded by the city’s military sub-district, he was somewhat mentally prepared.

You can see the reasons and consequences of Chen Moli's second-class merit.

Still unable to avoid it, I stood there in a daze.

(End of this chapter)