Chapter 77: Privates, Move Out on the Whistle
It was not just Class 8 that was excited about the awarding of ranks. In the queue assembled downstairs, many new recruits stood there, occasionally raising their hands to touch their collars and straighten the corners of their clothes.
Until the collar was almost dirty and the corners of the clothes were about to be pulled up.
Cheng Dongcai strode over from the direction of the company headquarters.
"Are all the students from each class gathered?" Cheng Dong looked up at the queue.
"All ready."
As the company duty officer responded, Cheng Dong walked to the front of the line, put his hands on his hips and shouted, "Come on, everyone, stand at attention, at ease."
"Say a few words."
"Comrades, you will be commissioned soon. This means you will bid farewell to your status as new recruits and officially become honored privates."
"Come on, tell me loudly, are you happy?"
"Yes, Captain!"
Everyone in the queue held their heads high and spoke in unison with full confidence.
"Um."
Seeing that the new recruits were in good condition, Cheng Dong nodded and said, "You should be happy. This shows that you have grown."
"Enough of the nonsense. The commander of the Brigade Command will be here to preside over the ceremony. I hope everyone will observe the rules of the formation. Do not talk to each other, and do not move around without instructions."
"After today's awarding of ranks, we will all be in top form tomorrow to face the motorized infantry from Pingcheng."
"Now, everyone, turn left, Squad One takes the lead, five columns, run forward."
Tap tap tap.
With an old soldier leading the team, the troops rushed in an orderly manner towards the flag-raising platform of the car company.
The architectural layout of the Taocun military camp should have been renovated later. For example, on the west side where the second company of recruits is located, many buildings appear very dilapidated.
Walking east from the company headquarters building and entering the motor vehicle company, you feel like you have suddenly stepped from the 1960s into the 1990s.
The roads here are all cement roads, unlike the gravel roads where Chen Mo and his friends train every day.
Walking hurts your feet, exercising hurts your legs.
The flag-raising platform had undergone some simple tidying up, and even the flagpole looked shinier than the one on the second company's side, with the red flag fluttering in the wind.
Behind the stage, there was a brand new red banner with gold letters on a red background that read: 1998 Winter Enlistment Ceremony for New Recruits.
On the platforms on both sides below the banner, two rows of half-person-high plastic flower baskets were placed symbolically. These embellishments made the whole ceremony more festive and welcoming.
When their second company arrived, the other three companies arrived almost at the same time.
Four companies of nearly 300 people occupied a large open space in front of the flag-raising platform.
After each class has lined up.
Chen Mo didn't pay much attention to the surrounding arrangements. His eyes were cast on the figures on the flag-raising platform.
He knew one of them, who was the political commissar who had visited the second company some time ago. He didn't know his name, he just knew him.
Standing next to the political commissar, the middle-aged man with a stronger build looked to be in his forties, although his rank could not be seen clearly due to the distance.
But looking at the other party's posture, it is not difficult to guess that he should be the commander of the 7th Armored Brigade.
Chen Mo had no impression of the political commissar in his previous life, but he had some impression of the brigade commander.
After all, I have served as a confidential secretary to the old leader. He knows all the senior cadres who have not been transferred in recent years.
Chen Mo raised his head and took a closer look. As it was dark, the street lights were not very bright. He felt that it should be the brigade commander Wei Jinan from the Seventh Brigade in his previous life.
He is observing here.
The middle-aged man who was communicating with the political commissar on the flag-raising platform looked up at the aligned troops. He took two steps forward, his fierce eyes swept across the audience, and said in a loud voice: "Hello, comrade."
“Hello, Chief!!”
Below the stage, hundreds of people roared in unison, and the noise was much more shocking.
"Yeah, not bad."
The middle-aged man on the stage, also in casual clothes, nodded and said, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Wei Jinan, and I'm the commander of the 7th Armored Brigade."
At the ceremony to award ranks to new recruits, the brigade commander and the political commissar all came, and the brigade commander gave the opening remarks. It is not difficult to see that the atmosphere in the 7th Armored Brigade is indeed very positive.
Wei Jinan was obviously a man of decisive character. After introducing himself, he glanced at the queue again and said in a vigorous voice: "Comrades,"
"I am very pleased to see your dark complexion, resolute faces, and standard military posture."
"Because once again, I witnessed the transformation of a new comrade, from a local youth to a soldier."
"This transformation didn't come easily. A month ago, we all came to the army with our families' instructions, full of longing and curiosity. In this short month."
"You have withstood the most difficult test of your lives."
"Strict discipline, an intense life, and formal training have driven us to grow step by step to where we are today."
"But please remember, comrades, your efforts and sweat will not be in vain, because the awarding of ranks means that you will become a qualified soldier."
"I congratulate you all and wish you all to be brave and responsible in your future military journeys."
"I believe that as the new generation of soldiers of the motherland, you will make even more outstanding contributions to the motherland and the people, and write even more glorious badges."
"Comrades, are you ready?"
“Always be prepared, always be prepared”
The deafening sound lingered above the flag-raising platform.
Wei Jinan nodded slightly: "Now, I declare the title-conferring ceremony officially begin."
"Everyone, welcome the military flag."
This sentence was not shouted by the brigade commander, but by an officer standing in front of the right side of the queue.
On the right side of the queue, an old soldier held the flag, and two old soldiers on both sides guarded the flag. They marched in front of the team with the tall military flag raised.
"salute!!"
With a loud shout, hundreds of recruits raised their hands and saluted, their eyes following the military flag.
"The ceremony is over!!"
Wei Jinan continued, "Now I announce the order. With the approval of the military headquarters, the new recruits of the 7th Armored Brigade of the 63rd Army are now awarded the rank of private."
"Representatives for the commissioning of new recruits, step out!"
"Everyone, turn left and right, and confer titles on each other."
The officer on duty in front of the flag-raising platform gave the order and Chen Mo was standing in the queue, just about to turn around.
Lao Pao ran over from the side and patted him on the shoulder: "You, go up to the stage and receive the title."
Chen Mo reacted very quickly. Combining the command just now with Lao Pao's explanation, he blurted out: "Squad leader, I am the representative for the rank awarding?"
"What else?" Lao Pao said as a matter of course.
"I"
Chen Mo was speechless for a moment. His squad leader was really too lazy.
How can you be so tight-lipped about such a big thing?
Without time to think about it, Chen Mo glanced around and saw figures flashing from other companies, walking towards the flag-raising platform.
He quickly tidied himself up from his collar to the corners of his clothes before quickening his pace and rushing towards the flag-raising platform.
They rushed to the first row of people before slowing down and walking towards the platform in steady steps.
At this time, Political Commissar He Guofeng, who was standing on the stage and watching the people below, saw Chen Mo coming up. He smiled and said to the brigade commander next to him: "Look, Lao Wei, that's the scholar from the second company."
"Well, this kid looks a bit cunning." Wei Jinan didn't notice Chen Mo running in the queue. He only saw that the moment he came out of the queue, he deliberately changed his pace.
"Hehe."
The political commissar standing by didn't say much when he heard this, but just shook his head and smiled.
After the four new recruits representatives came on stage, Chen Mo's position was right opposite Wei Jinan.
"Hello, Brigadier General."
Unlike the other three recruits who stood there stupidly, Chen Mo saluted the brigade commander, then leaned slightly to the side and shouted, "Hello, Political Commissar!"
He Guofeng nodded and smiled in response.
The brigade commander raised his hand in return, then took the military rank from the officer behind him, glanced at Chen Mo and said, "The scholar from the second company, right?"
"Yes, Chief."
"Well, it looks smarter than the newspaper."
Wei Jinan smiled and helped Chen Mo straighten his collar: "The title of scholar is good, work hard."
"I'll remember you."
"Please rest assured, Commander. I promise to spare no effort and will not bring shame to our Seventh Brigade."
Chen Mo was talking about tomorrow's competition, and as for what the brigade commander said about remembering him, no one knew what he was referring to.
But one thing is undeniable.
That is the scholar from the second company, who can have a great chat with the brigade commander even when he goes on stage.
The three new recruits' representatives beside him were so nervous that they didn't dare to move their eyes around. They just listened to the scholar's endless greetings and promises.
In the audience.
From Class 8, Yang Dali was working with Feng Junling to affix military ranks. They would glance at the stage from time to time.
Seeing that the three representatives had all been awarded titles, my own deputy class leader was still looking up, not knowing what to say.
Feng Junling smacked his lips and sighed with envy, "A scholar is a scholar. He can chat with anyone. Old Yang, why don't you think I have the same eloquence as the deputy chief?"
"What's the big deal?" Yang Dali turned his head to glance at the stage, then stared at Feng Junling. After a moment's thought, he said seriously, "Then you must also have the ability to be a representative."
"Just based on your poor alignment and lack of tactical maneuvers, I feel wronged for awarding you a rank."
"Depend on."
Feng Junling rolled his eyes.
The awarding of ranks was very quick, and after Chen Mo came down from the stage with a limp, he was awarded the rank of private.
The next batch will be the squad leaders like Lao Pao.
Chen Mo couldn't see the specific level of the old cannon's rank change because the distance was too far.
Wait until all the veteran squad leaders in front of the team have changed their titles, row by row, like a parade.
Just then, a cadre in charge of the ceremony walked onto the stage. At this time, the brigade commander and the political commissar had already stood below the stage.
"Everyone, stand at attention!!"
"Comrades, now that you have taken on the military rank, you must always remember to cultivate a good military image, cherish your honor, and bring glory to the military flag."
“Bring glory to our Seventh Brigade and always remember our mission.”
"To be awarded a title is to be given an order, and to take the oath is to go to war."
"Comrades, the sails are hoisted. Are you ready to go?"
“Always be prepared, always be prepared”
"good."
The cadres on duty on the stage raised their right fists and said: "I swear"
All around the flag-raising platform, the shouts of oaths were deafening like thunder.
The oath of oath was roared out from the mouth of every soldier who had just transformed from a recruit to a private.
At this moment, whether it is the hellish torture of physical training week or dealing with mud and barbed wire every day during tactical week.
No matter how many scars you get from training, no matter how much sweat you shed.
At least at this moment, when taking the oath facing the military flag.
Everyone's heart is filled with pride, the pride of finally getting rewards for their efforts, and the pride of being a soldier.
Conferring a title means granting a mission, and taking an oath means setting off to fight. It is like a heavy hammer, hitting the drum of the upcoming competition.
The rumbling sound echoed in the hearts of every private soldier.
The ceremony is over.
Each class started to take it back.
When Chen Mo saw Lao Pao again, although he was mentally prepared, he was still surprised to see that the squad leader's rank had changed from a second-class professional sergeant with a thick bar and two airplane wings to a fifth-class non-commissioned officer with two thick bars and a thin bar.
Chen Mo was still shocked.
In the army, although professional sergeant-level volunteer soldiers are rare, fifth-level non-commissioned officers are equally rare.
At present, the technical requirements of various units are not that high, and the proportion of senior non-commissioned officers is far lower than that in later generations.
Veterans of this level will almost certainly serve in the army until retirement, as long as they don't make serious mistakes and don't shoot people with guns.
"Congratulations, squad leader."
After Chen Mo came to his senses, he grinned and congratulated.
His joy not only represents the change of title for the veteran, but also represents that he has survived this year's major layoffs. From now on, he will be the mainstay of the Seventh Brigade.
Hearing the congratulations from his soldiers, Lao Pao glanced back at Chen Mo, then looked at the military rank on his shoulder: "Do you know him?"
"Well, I heard Platoon Leader Liang talk about the rank change of non-commissioned officers."
This time Chen Mo was not talking nonsense. Liang Hongjie was the clerk of the recruit company. He was the first to know any gossip.
Chen Mo and Liang Hongjie are close. One of them is trying his best to climb up the ladder, so naturally he would inquire about things intentionally or unintentionally.
Someone who always thinks about getting Xiucai to work as a clerk in the reconnaissance company must be knowledgeable and often convey some of the spirit from above to Chen Mo.
They are truly in cahoots with each other and share the same bad taste.
"There's nothing to congratulate." Lao Pao shook his head: "All night training tonight is cancelled. Go back to the dormitory and have a good rest."
"We'll gather at 4 o'clock tomorrow and leave for Pingcheng. Consider the competition on your own. Work hard and strive for a good ranking."
"Yes, squad leader."
Chen Mo straightened his chest and looked at Lao Pao who was leading the team in the front again. He actually wanted to ask something.
According to the time when the squad leader became a volunteer soldier, the volunteer soldiers at that time were no different from the cadres in the army, and their work and shared responsibilities were the same as those of grassroots cadres.
Why didn't such an outstanding veteran become an officer when there was no age limit at that time?
In fact, since 1994, when the regulation that conscripts could not be transferred to volunteer soldiers was implemented, the reason for the sharp decline in volunteer soldiers in various units was not because of layoffs or transfers.
Rather, from 1994 to 1998, the army had several consecutive large-scale policies of converting volunteers into officers, and Chen Mo knew all of this.
The only thing I can’t understand is why someone like Zhou Yongjie was left behind.
Made a big mistake?
Or is there some other reason?
Chen Mo had no way of asking about this kind of thing, but based on his experience in the confidential department and his sharp thinking, he made a good judgment.
It can be guessed that the reason why the veteran cannot be promoted to an officer is probably related to An Zhentao from the 82nd Brigade.
Because if it had nothing to do with each other, there would be no reason for an old soldier stationed in Hedong to have any personal grudge against an old soldier stationed in Pingcheng.
You know, the two places are six or seven hundred kilometers apart. How could the two of them take advantage of their rest time to take a train there secretly just to make enemies?
Not really.
Chen Mo planned in his mind that when he arrived at the 82nd Brigade tomorrow, he would really have to take a good look at what kind of person An Zhentao was.
Back to Class 8 dormitory.
The company's arrangements were similar to what Lao Pao had just said. One week before the competition, the training kept getting more difficult, and the night before.
The entire company seemed to have let go. They stopped watching the news and even cancelled night training.
Including Lao Pao, after bringing the people back to Class 8, he disappeared despite his rank of fifth-level non-commissioned officer. I wonder if he went to brag to someone.
"I suddenly feel a little panicked." Yang Dali, sitting in the dormitory, leaned his back against the metal cabinet, his head against the cabinet door, and looked at the ceiling. He said: "Deputy, do you want to practice more now?"
"Why don't you take me with you?"
"I'm going to fight someone tomorrow, so I can't sit still and rest."
"You are suffering from typical anxiety." Chen Mo stood up from the stool by pressing his knees, then raised his hand and patted his pocket, which contained half a pack of cigarettes he had received from Liang Hongjie.
"Come on, brothers, let's go downstairs and relax. The captain and the others are probably planning tomorrow's itinerary."
"Go downstairs for a cigarette?"
"Are there cigarettes?"
"have."
"Walk!!"
The seven of them stretched their heads to glance at the corridor, but did not see any veterans hanging around.
Led by Chen Mo, several people formed a neat team and marched in unison like puppets, all going to the open space behind the dormitory building.
They smoked and chatted about the competition the next day.
The soldiers of the second company have never seen what motorized infantry is.
I don't know what the Type A Infantry Division represented back then, I just counted on my fingers and calculated my performance.
By the way, I used my meager knowledge to rank each person in the class in terms of their possible final ranking in the competition.
Daydreaming, chatting, and laughing.
That's how I spent the night.
Four o'clock in the morning of the next day.
When the entire camp of the Second Company of Recruits was in silence, a desperate whistle pierced the darkness and woke up the entire camp.
"Beep-beep-beep-beep."
“Emergency assembly!!!”
When Chen Mo heard the whistle, he suddenly sat up from the bed, rubbed his sleepy eyes with his hands, and then knocked on the upper bunk several times.
"Old Zhu, emergency assembly."
"Hey, wake up."
Boom boom boom..
The entire dormitory building was soon filled with the sounds of people getting up. After Chen Mo called Zhu Gaituan, he quickly put on his pants and clothes and grabbed the backpack rope that was coiled next to his pillow.
He quickly rolled up the quilt into a ball and began packing his backpack.
And downstairs at this time.
Company commander Cheng Dong and instructor Huo Linshan are already dressed and are supervising the arrangements for departure.
The motor vehicle company dispatched a squad of four vehicles, three of which were used to carry new recruits, and the other one was used to transport guns, helmets and other combat equipment, which was escorted by veterans.
The kitchen staff got up at twelve o'clock and steamed a lot of buns, waiting to provide breakfast for the new soldiers.
Before the competition even started, the Second Company could already sense a brewing atmosphere of solemnity and murder.
The entire company is being covered.
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