Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 140 Disarmament Notice: Simplicity is the Best Interpretation
Late March this year was almost the busiest time of the year for the reconnaissance company, if not the busiest.

Spring uniform changes, sometimes called seasonal changes, generally refer to changing the company's weapons and equipment, including tanks.

Remove all the parts that can be disassembled.

Perform maintenance on all parts and record the results. If any parts are found to be worn out too much, submit a report and apply for replacement parts.

Liang Hongjie is the platoon leader and also serves as the armorer. He is responsible for supervising the maintenance of firearms, as well as various maintenance oils and the oil that needs to be changed in the diesel engine of the armored vehicles.

Chen Mo's job is a little easier.

No need to spend all day cleaning guns in the dormitory, nor like veteran soldiers in combat squads, driving to the artillery range every day, lying under tanks, tightening screws with one hand and holding steel plates with the other to change oil filters.

They also had to hammer and bang on the tracks, disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling them bit by bit.

His job was simply to register some things, keep a record, and prepare some reports.

It's kind of like a semi-office job.

This is not.

Time flies, and four days have passed since the martial arts competition ended.

It was 9:00 AM on March 25th.

Chen Mo rummaged through the logistics warehouse and found the slogan banners used in previous years. He walked to the vehicle and artillery yard and prepared to hang them on the vehicle shed to boost the enthusiasm for combat readiness in preparation for the spring equipment change.

These veterans, who usually sweat profusely on the training field, have all become cleaners, painters, and repairmen today.

Some people were holding filter cartridges, squatting next to the small yellow basins, puffing out their cheeks and blowing on them; others were using water guns to wash the tanks; still others were spraying paint, breaking up tracks, and removing mud clods—everyone was busier than the last.

"Good job, comrades."

Chen Mo walked to the vehicle and artillery field, holding a red banner with his hands behind his back, looking smug, and greeted a group of veterans with a grin.

"Hey, you damn scholar, got nothing better to do than this?"

As Peng Wei, the squad leader of the third squad, was cleaning the dust off the truck engine with a brush, he turned his head and glanced at Chen Mo: "Speak, what's up?"

"Are you looking for your two little brothers again? They should be in the warehouse right now. If you need anything, go there. Don't keep me from getting to work."

Peng Wei muttered curses under his breath.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo didn't argue with him. He simply raised the rolled-up banner in his hand, slapped it against Lao Peng's protruding buttocks, and then turned and ran away.

"Damn it, scholar, you stop right there!!"

Peng Wei was so angry that his eyes bulged. He chased after him for a few steps but couldn't catch up. He then angrily went back to continue washing.

The veteran has been quite irritable these past few days.

The main reason is that changing equipment is too tiring. The military doesn't care about cost when doing many tasks, such as changing engine oil.

During the replacement of the Type 63 armored personnel carrier, not only did all the detachable parts on the vehicle have to be removed and cleaned, but even changing the engine oil could be described as a luxury.

After the engine has been started a few times with freshly changed oil, it needs to be changed again. All parts, whether usable or not, must be thoroughly cleaned.

The standard is that, at least visually, it should look like a new car.

There's a saying that changing equipment is the key to victory; in a sense, tanks are just like people.

After the seasons change, from the cold environment of winter to the hot season of spring and summer, maintenance and care are necessary.

Typically, the military undergoes two uniform changes each year, one in spring and one in autumn, each lasting one week, during which training can be suspended.

Just focus on maintenance.

Doesn't that sound awesome?
Bullshit, this job is so exhausting it'll make you want to vomit blood.

Because the military values ​​details, everything from replacing parts to checking a single screw requires meticulous inspection. They strictly implement equipment maintenance procedures to ensure optimal performance at all times.

This demand has been suppressed.

Every job requires more attention to detail; it's not so easy to pass the test.

Working non-stop for a week straight, maintaining the equipment during the day and preparing for the end-of-month assessment at night, it's no wonder I'm so irritable.

This is why Chen Mo only had a bit of leisurely privilege after he competed against a group of veterans in the martial arts arena and won some recognition.

Otherwise, who would dare to play around like that when a private is at his busiest in the barracks, wandering around with his hands behind his back?

I looked around and found that a group of veterans were indeed busy and all had work to do.

Chen Mo simply left the vehicle and artillery yard and headed towards the warehouse.

Recently, Chen Mo has gradually taken over the work of the company clerk, such as scheduling duty officers and night duty passwords.

The division of labor between veterans and new recruits in the reconnaissance company is currently very clear.

Maintenance, disassembly, and cleaning are all handled by veterans, while the tasks of moving and guarding are left to the new recruits.

Because the reconnaissance company is stationed in a relatively remote location with many sentry posts, it is divided into two types: inner and outer posts.

External posts, such as gate posts, garage posts, oil depot posts, and armory posts, are generally not all assigned to new recruits; they are usually staffed by a combination of experienced and new recruits.

As for the internal positions, needless to say, they are all left to the new recruits.

Due to recent maintenance and preparations for the end-of-month assessment, there are many tasks and a shortage of personnel.

New recruits on guard duty also have a tough job, basically working in a three-person-one-person rotation system.

The "three-day shift" doesn't mean you get to stand for two hours each time, like you usually do.

Instead, one sentry post is assigned to three privates. Regardless of how long the accompanying veterans need to stand, the new recruits take turns, rotating every day for eight hours at a time.

no way.

Special times call for special measures.

The veterans still have to train at night to ensure they don't falter during assessments, so the other aspects are left to the new recruits.

In the past few days, the new recruits in the company have been either standing guard or being pulled out to move things and clean the public areas.

If someone stands all night, they can endure the drowsiness if they can, but if they really can't, they can go back to the dormitory and sleep for a few hours, and no one will say anything.

Chen Mo needed to find someone to help him, but he definitely couldn't count on the veterans.

We arrived at the warehouse.

Liang Hongjie was directing several new recruits to move things like engine oil and paint when he saw Chen Mo coming over with a banner. Old Liang guessed what was going on and couldn't help but laugh, "Here you come to ask me for people, huh?"

"You name a few."

As Liang Hongjie spoke, he patted his chest with particular arrogance. Ever since new recruits arrived in the reconnaissance company, he, as the platoon leader, had really gained some influence.

"Two will do. I'll have Yang Dali and Li Zhiang from Class 3. Have them bring the ladder and come with me."

Chen Mo responded with a smile.

“No problem.” Liang Hongjie looked down at the form in his hand, deliberately adopting the posture of an official, and said with a serious expression, “Third shift, Yang Dali and Li Zhiang, come out and bring a ladder to follow the clerk.”

The two men, who were unloading cargo, immediately lit up when they heard the title "clerk".

After all, working with the deputy squad leader, even if it's tiring, is much more comfortable than working with a cadre you don't know very well.

At least I don't have to worry about getting scolded.

The two quickly carried a wooden ladder out of the company warehouse and came to the door.

Seeing Chen Mo waiting.

Yang Dali immediately yelled and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Squad leader, just tell me what you need me to do."

"It's easy. Come with me to put up a few banners to deal with the inspection from above," Chen Mo said, waving a red banner in his hand.

"I've been quite busy these past few days. I heard you two were assigned to work at the oil depot. Are you getting used to it?"

"Hehe, not bad." Yang Dali had a good attitude, grinning and looking quite happy.

Li Zhiang, who was usually quite composed, was a little flustered. Holding the wooden ladder in his right hand, he said with a worried look on his face, "Squad leader, life in the company is so different from what I imagined."

“Back in basic training, my grades weren’t bad, and I could barely keep up. But I’ve been here for a month now, standing guard, weeding, washing clothes all day, and mopping the floor endlessly.”

"That's all fine. Last night, the squad leader taught us the side landing algorithm, the ballistic algorithm, and we also had to memorize some kind of communication book."

"Not only that, but we also need to learn how to operate telescopes, rangefinders, radar, and so on. Do we need to learn so many things to be soldiers?"

"I can't learn anything right now, and I feel really anxious. Class monitor, how did you master all of this?"

I? !

Chen Mo smiled.

Clearly, the biggest challenge is about to begin for the new recruits after they are assigned to their units.

Reconnaissance soldiers are positioned at the forefront of the battlefield, and it is common for them to venture deep into enemy territory alone once the fighting begins.

Therefore, in terms of training, it is not only about excellent physical fitness and wilderness survival skills, but also about learning various skills to provide accurate targets for the troops in the rear.

How should I put this?

Because the material they were learning was too disorganized and the new recruits had never encountered it before, they were bombarded with all sorts of training, guard duty, and professional knowledge all at once after joining their units.

It's normal to feel stressed.

They are the key link between the front lines of the battlefield and the rear fire support, so how could it be easy for them?

There's a saying that goes something like this: you'll never understand the hardships a soldier has endured until you put on the shoes he wore and walk the path he once walked.

When you actually try to walk this path, even just passing by will make you feel sad.

In the reconnaissance company, combat readiness mobilizations were held frequently. New recruits couldn't keep up and were scolded. They could only answer "Present" or "Yes" with a straight military posture.

In addition, the arrogant and mercenary company commander has been thinking every day about going to headquarters to ask for the trophy. If he can't get it back, he'll come back to the company and start some kind of discipline rectification.

Two hours of continuous marching, interspersed with heart-wrenching slogans.

This immense pressure, suddenly placed upon them, was indeed too much for the new recruits to bear.

There's a great line in "Soldiers' Sortie": Glory lies in the mundane, and hardship lies in the long journey.

As a soldier, ever since I put on this green uniform, I've learned that greatness often lies hidden in the ordinary aspects of life, and perseverance itself is a formidable challenge.

The three of them walked to the artillery range. Chen Mo saw that Li Zhiang was still not in a good mood, so he simply pulled him to stand at the door and pointed to the busy veterans inside.

He chuckled and said, "Do you think the veterans have it easy?"

Following the direction Chen Mo pointed, Li Zhiang stared intently, observing carefully.

The veterans in the company were still as busy as before. Lao Pao was strolling around with his hands on his hips, instructing some soldiers in his squad on maintenance, while Peng Tao was still using a brush to clean the dust off the engine.

Liu Dong, who usually walks with his nose pointing skyward, was using a sledgehammer to dismantle the tracks, while Hu Hai, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, was using a small hammer to tap the mud off the tracks.

Without waiting for Li Zhiang's response.

Chen Mo then said, "Zhi'ang, and Dali, being a soldier in the reconnaissance company is tiring, and it's even more tiring if you want to be an elite soldier."

"You feel tired because you want to do your best. Remember, now that we've come to the army, each of us needs to set new goals, push our limits, and throw ourselves into them. That's how you become the star of the company."

"And the one who does the best will face challenges from the entire company, or even the entire brigade."

"This person could be me, or it could be you. Since you're here, don't be so discouraged."

"Keep it up!!"

Chen Mo raised his hand and patted the two of them on the shoulder, without saying anything more.

He led them around the vehicle and artillery range, putting up banners and chatting with the veterans.

that's it.

The days in the reconnaissance company passed by, with periods of calm and periods of extremes.

Anyway, it was quite an exciting experience.

Of course, Chen Mo did not forget the task that the political commissar had specifically assigned him. The mainstream direction for the future development of the troops would undoubtedly be armored composite materials.

Right next to Chen Mo was a top student who had graduated in armored vehicle command. Whenever he had free time, he liked to discuss professional knowledge with Liang Hongjie.

His goal wasn't to become a star in the company, but there was really too little that conscripts could do.

Therefore, Chen Mo set goals for himself while simultaneously perfecting the tasks assigned by the political commissar.

Relatively peaceful days are always short-lived.

Time flew by and it was already mid-April. Cheng Dong's mood had finally calmed down a bit in the last few days.

The company then resumed its routine training.

But sometimes, tranquility is the most ideal state, on the afternoon of April 21st.

As May approaches, the weather is already getting hot.

Chen Mo had just returned from delivering reports outside. He had taken off his camouflage uniform and was wearing a vest, enjoying the cool breeze blowing from the large fan overhead.

The landline on the office desk rang with a crisp ring.

Chen Mo didn't pay much attention. At first, he thought there was some mission to announce. He reached out, picked up the microphone, put it to his ear, and said loudly, "Hello, Armored Reconnaissance Company 3, please speak."

"Scholar, where is your Company Commander Cheng?" The communications officer on the other end clearly recognized Chen Mo.

After all, as the clerk of the directly subordinate company, he has been going to the headquarters quite often lately. Since he doesn't have a driver's license and can't drive, he rides his bicycle there every time, and he has basically become familiar with the people at the headquarters.

"Company commander? Please wait a moment, I'll go and call him."

Just as Chen Mo was about to put down the microphone and go upstairs to call for help, a voice came from the other end: "It's too late. You need to notify Company Commander Cheng as soon as possible and have him come to the headquarters conference room for a meeting immediately."

"Tell them the latest layoff order has been issued, and to do it as soon as possible!!"

After the person on the other end finished speaking, they hung up the phone with a "click".

Upon hearing the words "layoff order," Chen Mo froze, blinking for a long time before remaining motionless.

He couldn't tell which communications officer made the call.

But he knew about this layoff order.

In my previous life, when I was in the motorized infantry brigade, it was probably around this time that I began to respond to last year's major troop reduction policy.

Overnight, many companies were laid off, some so drastically that only two people remained.

And this is not an isolated incident; they are being laid off in large numbers.

However, so much time had passed that Chen Mo had forgotten about it.

Judging from the commotion on the phone just now, is the reconnaissance company also going to withdraw?

It can't be such a coincidence.

I've only just gotten to where I am now.

Without thinking twice, Chen Mo ran downstairs. Since the phone call could reach him, it meant that the company commander and political instructor were most likely not in their offices.

Military downsizing—that was the helplessness of the late 1990s.

That same year, many of the new recruits had to reluctantly take off their uniforms after only a few months of being assigned to their units.

He was demobilized and returned to his hometown.

(End of this chapter)