Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 88: War Preparation Assembly, the First Third Class Merit
The competition is over.

After dinner, everyone from the 82nd Brigade was very well behaved. No one came to look for Chen Mo again. They all retreated to their own territories, waiting for the final announcement tomorrow.

On the other hand, after Lao Pao brought everyone back to the dormitory in Class 8, since it was a temporary residence, there was no stool or anything inside.

Lao Pao simply folded his cotton coat, put it on the ground, sat down on it and waved, "Come on, put down your work and come to have a class meeting."

Hear hello.

Chen Mo didn't care whether the ground in the tile house was dirty or not, he just sat on the ground. After all, he rolled in the dirt and crawled on the ground during the competition, so no matter how dirty it was, it couldn't be that dirty.

The seven people sat in two rows, looking at Lao Pao with anticipation.

No matter what, the class vice-president has finally shown up these past two days and held a class meeting, which is definitely a good thing.

"It seems you all know what I'm going to say." Lao Pao smiled and said, "Okay, let's applaud the deputy class leader and celebrate."

Bang bang bang.
Lao Pao took the lead in applauding, and the rest of the people in Class 8 followed suit enthusiastically. They didn't care even though their hands were red from clapping, because they were really happy.

Since I arrived here yesterday, the people from the 82nd Brigade have been staring at me like monkeys, and they keep coming over to challenge me and provoke me.

Now that he has calmed down and has been extremely honest, it is all thanks to the squad leader, a comrade in the squad.

I feel the deepest about this collective honor.

"All right."

Lao Pao waved his hand: "We have a class meeting today, let's talk about two things."

"First, due to combat readiness, the leaders of the brigade headquarters won't be able to attend the commendation ceremony tomorrow at the end of the competition, but many officers from the 82nd Brigade will be there."

"Pay attention to the queue discipline, don't run around, and don't make noise."

"As for the squad leader, you're first place and will be on stage tomorrow to receive your award. First place is the Third Class Merit, which will be presented to you by the instructor on behalf of the Seventh Brigade Headquarters Party Committee. As a representative, you should also think carefully about your speech."

"Be as brief as possible, and give the person behind you a chance to speak. Understand?"

"Yes, monitor."

Chen Mo nodded somewhat awkwardly.

As a result, he felt that he was usually very low-key and never gave long speeches.

Why is the squad leader still worried about this?

When other recruits came on stage, they were encouraged not to be afraid and to say whatever they wanted to say, but he did the opposite.

"The second thing is about the arrangements after returning to the company. As the New Year is approaching, the troops will be on combat readiness. I will not be in the squad for a while."

"The squad deputy will temporarily take over. At that time, two veterans will remain in each platoon to take charge of your daily training arrangements."

"Don't think that training is meaningless just because you've competed. Before you're assigned to a company, we'll organize a comprehensive recruit assessment, and the results will be recorded in your personal files."

"The competition is scheduled earlier due to the New Year, but the assessment will be later. Even if you are taken to other units early, you still have to come back for the assessment."

"This is very important to you."

"Understand?"

"clear!!"

When Lao Pao holds a class meeting, he always talks about the important things and the class basically disperses after he finishes speaking.

But today, he was more patient. Except for Chen Mo, Li Zhiang and Yang Dali, the other three had already privately decided on their units for the next company.

Lao Pao talked to the other four people one by one, asked about their intentions, and also introduced many grassroots units for them to choose from.

Outside the dormitory.

The wind was howling, and God was really kind. The weather was pretty good during the competition, but at night the wind was so cold that it made people feel freezing.

The old man in the room was helping the four people choose units and asking very carefully. I had never seen the squad leader so serious before.

outside the house.

Chen Mo, Li Zhiang and Yang Dali ran out and squatted in a sheltered place to smoke secretly.

The curl of smoke was just expelled from the nostrils and was carried away by a gust of wind.

Yang Dali rubbed his hands, a cigarette between his lips, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and leaned against the wall as he spoke, "Deputy squad leader."

"Ah."

"You said the squad leader gave such detailed instructions, could it be that he won't be coming back after joining the company?"

"Maybe."

Chen Mo thought about it and finally nodded.

It is obvious that Lao Pao is so lazy that he has started to consider the distribution of the soldiers he brought with him.

In this case, it is highly likely that after the New Year's preparations, we will not return to Class 8.

"I'm a little reluctant to leave now. I don't know what it's like to go to the reconnaissance company."

Yang Dali threw away the cigarette butt in his hand and muttered a few words.

Li Zhiang was quite quiet from beginning to end.

But Chen Mo didn't know how to respond to the question of what it was like to be in the next company.

He had never been to the reconnaissance company, but he thought it should be similar to the motorized infantry company. Although the recruit company had physical training week and tactical week, everyone was exhausted every day like eggplants hit by frost.

They didn't want to talk at all and even wet the bed. During physical fitness week, many people urinated blood in the toilet.

But what impressed Chen Mo the most was always the recruit company. No matter how you compared it or looked at it, the recruit company was the most comfortable.

Because here, except for the squad leader, everyone is a soldier of the same year. Since the first day of joining the army, everyone is like a fool and everything they see is new to them.

He fought with the quilt, confronted the little red book, and was often punished by the squad leader, but they lived in the same room, ate, and trained together.

The experience of growing up together is a memory that can never be matched by any number of years of military service.

The topic is a bit heavy.

Chen Mo took out another pack of cigarettes from his pocket. This was the cigarette he had asked Liang Hongjie for when he called home. Yesterday, the third squad leader Peng Wei gave him half a pack.

Chen Mo put all the spiritual food reserves in Class 8's dormitory into a box.

But this time it hasn’t been sent yet.

Feng Junling ran out with his long legs swinging, and saw the three of them squatting in the corner, their eyes almost bulging out.

"Damn, you guys smoke without me?"

"Stop smoking, squad leader, the squad leader wants you to go in."

Hearing that it was the squad leader calling, Chen Mo quickly put the cigarette he had taken out back into the box.

By the time a few of them entered the dormitory, the other three had already lined up.

Chen Mo and his men hurried to make up for the loss.

"Okay, let's talk about it once everyone is here. Due to war preparations, I have to rush back to Hedong tonight."

"The deputy class leader is responsible for class matters."

Lao Pao raised his hand to help Chen Mo straighten his collar, then patted him on the shoulder without saying anything.

When he reached Feng Junling, he helped him roll up his sleeves and said, "Your performance is the worst. The assessment for new recruits is very important. Try doing more reps on the horizontal bar when you have time."

"I should run five kilometers. I should exercise more and keep my body in good shape."

"Remember this: when you are assigned to a company in the future, don't let the recruit company become your peak."

"Understand?"

"clear!!"

Everyone roared in unison, shaking out all their strength.

No one is stupid. Based on this situation, anyone can guess that Lao Pao will probably never return to Class 8 after leaving this time.

Some of them were so sudden that some people's eyes turned red.

Lao Pao didn't say much. After the group was dismissed, he put on his military coat.

I don't know when, but the backpack was packed.

"Everyone else, take a rest. Pay attention to the evening roll call at nine o'clock. The squad leader, come out with me."

The cold wind is still blowing outside.

When I walked out of the dormitory, I found that not only Lao Pao, but several veterans from the second company had already gathered with their backpacks on.

Some of them even waved to Chen Mo.

"Please keep an eye on the class. I can't say exactly when I'll be back for the New Year's combat readiness, but you should also supervise their training." "Also, you can't lower your standards. Winning first place in the recruit competition is nothing. The political commissar has a good opinion of you. This is an opportunity."

"Work hard, and when you go to the reconnaissance company, come find me in the first squad."

"Okay, go back."

Lao Pao gave a few brief instructions and followed a group of veterans, gradually disappearing into the darkness.

Chen Mo stopped where he was and watched silently.

Although the recruit company has not ended yet, the departure of the squad leader almost means that it has been disbanded.

The reconnaissance company should have special tasks during the New Year combat readiness period, Chen Mo thought to himself.

Otherwise, even if they were mobilized, these veterans would not have rushed back to their units overnight. Even the company commander would have gone back in the afternoon.

At present, there is only one instructor and seven or eight veterans in charge of the entire Second Company.

"Deputy class leader!!"

As soon as Lao Pao left, the other people in the dormitory followed him out.

"Oh, it seems that my guess was right. The squad leader really won't come back." Yang Dali looked at the direction where Lao Pao left and sighed.

However, he quickly regained his spirits and grinned, "It doesn't matter. I'll be going to Class 3 with Zhiang from now on."

"Our squad leader is in Class 1. He shouldn't be far away. There are plenty of opportunities to meet."

"Damn, this grandson's words are so irritating." Zhu Gaituan raised his hand to wipe away his tears.

"Brothers, beat him." After saying that, Lao Zhu rushed forward with his fists clenched and started beating him.

The people nearby were also feeling unhappy, so they rushed forward and pushed Yang Dali down.

Even Chen Mo raised his foot listlessly and kicked Dali's thick buttocks twice before he felt much better.

That night, no one was in charge of Class 8.

On the contrary, there were very few people chatting until someone asked what it felt like when they first entered the military camp and why they joined the army, which completely ignited the topic.

Some people said that when they first joined Class 8, they felt that the deputy squad leader was not an ordinary person. He could follow the squad leader and join the squad directly without having to go through the company line. He must have some connections.

Some people also said that they joined the army because they wanted to be a good soldier, but as they went along, they went astray.

Some people even say that they can eat enough food in the army and they come here just to eat, but after joining, they find that being a soldier is not just about eating enough food.

After everyone expressed their opinions, it was Chen Mo's turn to answer.

He said something that no one could understand.

The original words were, in order to realize the value of this life.

Early morning of February 2th, which was the 10th day of the 1998th lunar month in .

Six o'clock sharp.

"Beep-beep!!"

"get up."

The whistle sounded, and the members of Class 8, who had been chatting for most of the night, rubbed their sleepy eyes.

Suddenly, there was no Lao Pao, shining the light around to remind people to get up, and everyone was really not used to it.

However, no one wasted time and everyone put on their clothes quickly.

Chen Mo had just put on his shoes when the broken door of the dormitory was pushed open with a "clang". Wang Jianyong, the squad leader of Class 7, stretched his neck and took a look inside.

"Scholar?"

"arrive!!"

"You, have you brought your service uniform with you?" Wang Jianyong walked in with his second-class non-commissioned officer's service uniform in his hand, his face full of concern.

"I brought it."

Chen Mo quickly opened his bag. The new recruits only had a few things, and they couldn't take everything with them on a trip.

"That's fine, hurry up and go wash up, and you guys go too. There's going to be a commendation meeting in ten minutes at the elimination match venue."

"Remember to bring someone with you, and wear your regular clothes."

"Yes, monitor."

It has to be convened early in the morning. It seems that the war preparation has really started and all units are under time pressure.

Chen Mo changed into his casual clothes and a pair of cleaner rubber-soled cloth shoes, picked up the basin and rushed out of the dormitory with his men.

Military merit.

Even this third-class merit is just a quota reserved by the brigade for the year-end merit evaluation and is awarded to new recruits, so its value is relatively low.

But that is also a third-class merit.

How can we not be enthusiastic when it comes to real military achievements?

A group of people washed up in a hurry, blew cold water on their faces twice, and then headed straight for the artillery camp shooting range.

on the way.

There were quite a few people from the 82th Brigade and the nd Brigade, and when they saw Xiucai again, everyone felt a little complicated.

It was obvious that the squad leaders had put in a lot of effort last night to instill "education" in them.

After arriving at the venue.

The ceremony site was a little too simple. There were veterans at the entrance, maintaining order and directing the personnel from each company, platoon and squad to assemble.

The podium is a wooden frame built on a slightly higher ground. It is not high and does not take up much space.

The place where Chen Mo and his men gathered was a huge pit. The soil under their feet should have been dug out to build a half-slope artillery target in the distance.

The pit was so big that seven or eight hundred people could stand in it easily.

Well, this shouldn’t be called a pit, it should be called a basin.

Wait until the queue is ready.

Qiao Chunfeng, the competition director, quickly stepped onto the stage. He faced the line with a megaphone and shouted, "Comrades!"

"The competition has ended. I am very happy to have witnessed many exciting competitions over the past two days."

"But what makes me even happier is that, in just over a month since you joined the camp, many of you have already grown into qualified soldiers."

"I don't know if you've ever heard of a poem called 'The Poem of Jiao Di'. It goes like this: 'A wonderful performance in the square pits a contest of talent, and the talent earns a smile from the emperor. When the performance is over, a banquet is held, and the troupes leave the palace, bringing back flowers."

"This poem talks about an ancient wrestling competition where even the emperor would come to watch and hold a banquet to celebrate."

"Compared to wrestling, our competition is certainly no less exciting than theirs."

"So, we still have to have a banquet, but we are soldiers, so we don't need to replace the banquet with food."

"Now, let's give the warmest applause to welcome the first place winner of this competition, Chen Mo, to the stage!!"

Bang bang bang.
Many people in the queue looked sideways, after all, the name "Chen Mo" was too unfamiliar.

It is far less famous than the scholar, who is well-known.

So the applause was somewhat hesitant and not intense.

However, as the scholar's figure moved through the queue, more and more people saw him.

The applause was much more enthusiastic than before.

This is the reputation earned on the field and the result achieved through competition.

Many of the glances cast over were filled with a hint of wonder, envy, and of course, jealousy and indignation.

Although many people know that Xiucai is the first, they are still unwilling to accept it.

After Chen Mo walked onto the stage, the instructor of the second company, Huo Linshan, also had a warm face. He was holding a big red certificate and a red box with the lid open in his hands.

Chen Mo was relatively calm along the way, but when he saw the shining military medal lying in the box.

Chen Mo clenched and unclenched his fists, his heart was far from as calm as he appeared.

Because soldiers can never resist, let alone ignore, the honor brought by military merit, and he is no exception.

As long as this honor is in front of me.

All the hard work and effort.

At this moment, it's all worth it.

(End of this chapter)