Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 142 Send off comrades and embark on a journey

When we were almost back at the company on the return trip.

Chen Mo saw from afar that the instructor, Huo Linshan, and several platoon leaders from the company were lingering outside the gate.

They were clearly waiting for the latest news on the layoffs; once that order was given, the entire company would panic.

Seeing Chen Mo walking back from the main road of Kuchi Village, platoon leader Wang Yanjun spat out his cigarette butt and pointed, "Instructor, the scholar is back."

"I saw it."

At this moment, Huo Linshan also lost his usual composure, with a lingering worry between his brows. He swayed his chubby body and led several cadres to quickly go forward.

"Hello, instructor!"

Chen Mo stood at attention and raised his hand to salute when Huo Linshan stopped him and took the brown paper bag from his hand.

I took out my notebook and read it carefully.

"Damn, not a single new recruit was kept?" Second Platoon Leader Guo Dongqi stared wide-eyed at the list, looking astonished.

The main reason is that most of the new recruits assigned after the Lantern Festival were concentrated in the second platoon. There were too many veterans in the first platoon, so only two were assigned to the third platoon.

When the list was announced, none of the seventeen people were retained.

"Damn it, we were already short of staff, and now we've cut more than 30 people, leaving us with only half the staff."

These words were spoken by Fan Yu'an, the third platoon leader.

The officers in the reconnaissance company probably know what's going on and won't disband the entire company.

As a reconnaissance company under the brigade's directly subordinate battalion, they are said to be a battalion-level unit.

In reality, it's similar to the guard company of the military affairs department. The platoons under its command each do their own thing, and the same goes for their directly subordinate battalion. The only important tasks for the entire battalion are reconnaissance and chemical defense.

The rear communications company and command company are basically just for show. This is a problem left over from the division-to-brigade reorganization. It's not that the company's work responsibilities were not properly assigned, but rather that the soldiers in those two companies are simply not professionally matched.

Even if we're going to cut ties, we should start with those two companies.

Hearing the complaints around him, Huo Linshan waved the documents in his hand and snapped, "That's enough."

"What's there to discuss?"

"Is this what we call a decisive and efficient style? Well, the list is confidential for now. We'll discuss how to handle it when the company commander returns."

"Xiucai, Xiao Liang, you two start organizing the comrades' files according to the list. Pay special attention to missing documents such as appointment orders, party membership certificates, and award materials. If any are missing, verify them and make sure they are added as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, things will get complicated when we get there."

"We'll see how to arrange the rest later."

After finishing speaking, Huo Linshan tossed the file bag in his hand to Liang Hongjie and turned to leave.

The instructor must be feeling a bit unsettled, as more than thirty people, including both new and veteran soldiers, are leaving this time.

The troop reduction order isn't for the demobilization season. Every year during the demobilization season, there's always someone to prepare mentally beforehand, making it easier to conduct ideological education.

Having worked in the same unit for so long, it would be a lie to say there's no camaraderie, which makes work easier to carry out.

But the troop reduction was so sudden, and everyone had to leave the army by the end of the month. Huo Linshan felt a mix of emotions, sighed, and lost his appetite for lunch.

A straight connecting part.

The other three platoon leaders hesitated for a moment before leaving as well.

In the blink of an eye, only Liang Hongjie and Chen Mo remained at the gate.

I watched as the instructor walked away.

Old Liang gave a wry smile and said, "To be honest, Xiucai, when you left with the company commander just now, the political instructor informed us that the latest layoff order had been issued, and I thought I was going to be on the list."

you?!

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo shook his head decisively: "No one will be laid off except you, unless the entire company or brigade is laid off. Otherwise, why would an armored unit lay off someone who graduated from the armored academy?"

"I was pretty lucky this time. Luckily, I was assigned to a regular squad. If I had been assigned to a combat squad as a private, I would have been in real trouble."

The two talked as they returned to the company headquarters.

Actually, Liang Hongjie was somewhat prepared for the possibility that Xiucai would be dismissed.

Having been in the company for so long, it's easy to distinguish between good and bad soldiers. Plus, with a second-class merit award, unless there's a large-scale downsizing, it won't be so easy for him to be put on the list.

After all, having a private with a second-class merit in an armored brigade is beneficial to the entire brigade in some ways.

I dare not speak about other aspects.

At least in terms of improving the overall image of the unit and cultivating and motivating soldiers, it will leave a good impression on the military region.

If you fire all these soldiers, who will you keep?

The two returned to the document office and put the documents away. Liang Hongjie had no appetite and was busy organizing the files.

Chen Mo went downstairs alone and first went to the cafeteria for a quick bite. Since he returned quite late, almost all the classes had already eaten.

I finished eating quickly.

Chen Mo ran to the entrance of Class 3, stood on tiptoe and peered into the dormitory. The instructor said that the list of dismissals needed to be kept secret for the time being.

Keeping it a secret doesn't change the fact that my two good brothers are leaving. Even if I don't say it, it's still comforting to come and see them while they're still here.

He was still trying to calm himself down and find a lighthearted topic when he went to Yang Dali's dorm to talk to him.

As a result, before he even reached the door...

The two of them each carried a small yellow basin filled with a pile of smelly socks and laundry detergent, looking like they were heading to the washroom again.

Yang Dali looked up and saw Chen Mo standing outside. He, who had been holding the basin, immediately put the small yellow basin behind his back and grinned, "Vice Squad Leader, you're back?"

"I saw you go out with the company commander this morning."

"Yeah, just got back." Chen Mo pointed to the socks in the basin between the two of them and frowned. "Are you going to wash the old soldier's socks again?"

"Hey, what's there to help or not?" Li Zhiang shrugged and replied, "We're both much better off now than when we first arrived."

“We can take turns on duty, and we don’t have to take care of the whole class’s housekeeping. Deputy squad leader, don’t worry about us. Squad Leader Peng said he’ll teach us pistol shooting and capture techniques next week.” “In less than six months, I’m sure I’ll be able to train into a strong veteran.”

When Li Zhiang said these words, he had a smile on his face and bright eyes, clearly full of confidence in the future.

This guy may seem a bit simple-minded and single-minded, but he's impeccable when it comes to training. His only downside is that he's not quick-witted.

Otherwise, Li Zhiang would definitely be a carbon copy of Chen Mo in his previous life. As long as someone guides him, his growth rate will be very fast, but only in terms of physical fitness.

But there's no future now.

"Put the basin in the dorm, and I'll take you two for a smoke," Chen Mo invited with a smile.

"Hey, this is great!" Yang Dali was immediately excited when he heard there was a cigarette to smoke.

Privates like them are not allowed to leave the barracks alone; if they want to buy cigarettes, they have to ask a veteran to bring them for them.

The problem is, if the veterans don't make you run errands, that's already taking good care of the new comrades. Who's going to mentor them?

If I wanted to smoke, I could only go up to whichever veteran was in a good mood, or whoever was usually generous, and ask for a cigarette to satisfy my craving.

Chen Mo was happy to share with them, but his clerical work kept him very busy, and he rarely saw anyone.

In the military, the clothes-drying area is usually a major hotspot for smoking.

The three of them didn't care whether the sun was shining brightly overhead or not, and sat down on an open space.

Chen Mo took all the cigarettes and matches out of his pocket and placed them on the ground.

He laughed and said, "Go ahead and draw. Draw as many as you want today. I have enough for you."

"Hehe, then I won't be polite." Yang Dali grabbed a cigarette, took one out, smelled it under his nose, and then struck a match to light it.

Then, with his eyes half-closed and an expression of utter enjoyment, he exhaled smoke rings, looking incredibly sleazy.

"When I was a kid, I often saw my family smoking, but I just didn't understand what was so good about it," Yang Dali said, exhaling a smoke ring. "Now that I'm in the army, I understand."

"It feels great to have a cigarette before running to open up your lungs. After running, it feels even better with one. I've gotten used to it. I can't get myself going without one now."

"Dali, I remember you're from Hebei Province, right? Which part of Hebei Province are you from?"

Chen Mo ignored Dali's propaganda about his smoking culture and instead tried to ask for some useful information.

In this era without cell phones, QQ, or WeChat, once you leave the military, it's highly likely you'll never see them again.

Chen Mo's question only left the two of them stunned.

Li Zhiang chuckled twice and said, "Deputy Squad Leader, I'm from Gaocheng, Hebei Province. Our village is called Xinmin Village, it's easy to remember."

"Oh! I'm from Anhui Province, Deputy Squad Leader, you've got it wrong." Yang Dali shook his head slightly, then continued to enjoy his cigarette.

Chen Mo didn't ask any more questions. Anyway, he could look at their files himself, and it was best to take notes when he got back to the office.

Otherwise, even if they remember me in the future, they won't be able to contact me. Having an address will at least leave them with a memory.

Having been given a second chance at life, Chen Mo didn't want to leave behind any regrets that he would later regret.

The three brothers then chatted for quite a while.

They talked about their confusion when they first entered the camp, the nervousness of being scolded by the squad leader, and the fear of being dominated by tattered quilts when folding blankets.

There's so much to say, so much to chat about.

Those who are meant to leave will still leave.

A week later, at the training ground of the Kuchi Reconnaissance Company.

The bright red military flag fluttered, and the veterans stood tall, looking at the soldiers in front of them who had already packed their quilts and whose rank insignia, collar insignia, and armbands had been removed.

Everyone's eyes welled up with tears.

The soldier, usually so tough and resolute, a man who grits his teeth and endures training to the point of near fainting, is now silently shedding tears.

The deadline for the above layoff list has arrived. Today, all thirty-seven men in the reconnaissance company, including privates and veterans, are to leave.

To my comrades.

Embark on a new journey.

The sound of camel bells rang in my ears.

The entire training ground was enveloped in a tense atmosphere, with everyone tightly pursing their lips to keep from crying out loud.

The military is tiring, monotonous, and boring. There are endless hills to climb and training that seems to have no end. But when the moment finally comes that you have to take off your uniform...

Those who are about to leave will still cherish every minute and every second they spend in the military camp.

It's time for you to head back today, brother.

It's time to take you home today, brother.

It's time to cheer up.

You no longer need to get up at 5:50 every morning for morning exercises; you can sleep in comfortably.

You no longer need to endure the instructor's nagging; you can openly ignore him.

You no longer need to complain about that arrogant and vain company commander in private. You can even roll your eyes at him without restraint and don't have to be afraid of him anymore.

But why are my brothers crying?!

It turns out that even a company commander can cry. It turns out that this indifferent company commander, who only complains about training subjects on the training field and only gives orders, has not lost all his emotions.

Yes.

On the reconnaissance company's training ground, Cheng Dong pulled his hat brim low, stood sideways with his hands on his hips, and didn't stand as straight as usual.

She was crying like a stubborn old lady.

He's a pretentious yet fragile guy who likes to cry.

But aren't all soldiers like that?

(End of this chapter)