Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 189 Selection of Commanding Soldiers, Selection of Pilot Battalions

Once someone took the lead, others followed suit, and before long, at least a dozen people on the training field had submitted reports.

Cheng Dong stood smugly with his hands on his hips, no longer bothering to help each of them.

He simply pointed to the spot where he had class yesterday and said loudly, "You all know where the classroom is. It's air-conditioned and has water, everything is provided for you."

"You all better show some respect and write your reflections properly. If anyone continues to act like yesterday, putting on airs, don't blame me for hanging you on the horizontal bar next time."

"Go for it!!"

The company commander gave the order.

The veterans, limping and helping each other, got off their chairs and walked towards the classroom.

Those who remained seated, still trying to organize their thoughts, were sweating profusely with anxiety. They knew that losing their individual commendation was one thing, but losing their class's commendation was another.

Isn't this what soldiers fight for?

"report!"

"Don't bother reporting anything. Think it over and get down to the classroom yourself."

"No, Company Commander, it's too hot and I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Could I have some water?"

"Drink my ass! You're always reading books and full of bad ideas. You think you'll die of thirst?"

Cheng Dong continued to play the role of the good cop, while the instructor usually played the bad cop. Given the indeed hot weather, Huolinshan would provide some veterans with lightly salted water.

Chen Mo stood at a distance and watched the first dozen or so men from the reconnaissance company come down. He silently memorized their names.

Because, barring any unforeseen circumstances, these people will most likely be assigned to the sergeant major role later on.

This major.

It was Chen Mo himself who suggested adding this new major.

The purpose is to establish a command sergeant major system as a supplementary command mechanism to enhance the resilience of the command system as much as possible.

After all, you might say that many armored units these days don't know how to fight.

But they still have some ability, even if the commander doesn't know anything.

They devise a battle plan and then order their troops to charge forward recklessly, regardless of casualties. Even informationized units would be afraid of encountering such reckless individuals in an encounter battle.

What if the other party just happens to get lucky?

If a single charge wipes out the commander of one's own company, the unit will quickly lose its ability to organize combat effectively, and the casualties will be terrifying.

The system of commanding sergeants is designed to prevent this from happening.

They can enable the entire combat force to regroup and re-engage in the shortest possible time.

In previous years' exercises, if the unit commander was beheaded, the entire unit would be considered dead, and there was a reason for that.

Although the directing department has now changed the rules, and only when 70% of the combat effectiveness is lost will it be considered a total annihilation, there is a reason why special forces always keep an eye on unit commanders on the battlefield.

Therefore, Chen Mo's first task was to solve the problem of specializing in information-based units.

Otherwise, during the experiment, if the enemy's artillery were to blow up the tank carrying the commander, it would be disastrous.

That would be a complete disaster.

As for the rest
Chen Mo looked at the veteran who was still struggling in the chair, and then at the company commander who was still supervising.

He shook his head and walked towards the dormitory.

It's quite remarkable that a company can produce more than a dozen commanding sergeants. This is thanks to the fact that the reconnaissance company often conducts joint training with other units, giving it a high level of battlefield awareness.

In addition, these people have all undergone special training.

Even so, we can't expect all the remaining ninety-odd people in the company to have command talent.

The rest can only be selected and chosen slowly.

Come to the classroom.

The veterans, who had just been exposed to the sun for half a day, were indeed much more obedient this time, each of them hunched over their desks writing down their thoughts.

He was taking the pose quite seriously.

Chen Mo didn't disturb anyone. He quietly walked behind one of the veterans and craned his neck to read what the other had written.

He noticed someone walking up behind him.

The old soldier turned his head and saw that it was the scholar coming over. He immediately covered the manuscript with his hand and said irritably, "Scholar, you son of a bitch, stay away from me. Every time I see you, nothing good ever comes of it."

"This is definitely going to be a good thing." Chen Mo chuckled and simply pulled up a chair to sit down in front of the other person.

The veteran, looking utterly dejected, shuffled to the side.

Chen Mo didn't mind. Anyway, these insights had to go through him first before they could reach Director Luo.

No matter what, he is, after all, the head of the Department of Strategic and Tactical Studies; he can't possibly concern himself with every trivial matter.

He didn't read what the veteran had written.

Instead, he picked up a file folder and began to examine which rehearsal the other person had been watching for the past hour.

Chen Mo had participated in organizing all of these materials.

He glanced at the contents and immediately recognized that the paper archive in his hand was a record of a joint night training exercise conducted by the 22nd Armored Regiment of the 6th Armored Division of the 38th Army in early 1999.

The basis for this night training exercise was an experiment conducted by the Sixth Division after completing the re-equipment of the Type 96A rifle.

The scale is not small.

The night training units included two tank battalions, one infantry battalion, plus the division's directly subordinate armored company, reconnaissance company, and howitzer company.

There are dozens of Type 96A tanks alone, and the combined force is equivalent to a reinforced regiment.

Deploying such a large force for a single night training exercise is not uncommon even for the 6th Armored Division.

The 6th Tank Division of the 38th Army was indeed a large unit, ranking first in the entire field army. The division consisted of five regiments of officers and soldiers, with a total strength of about 20,000 including logistics personnel.

Even the 7th Tank Division of the 28th Army back then wasn't this large.

Last year, the entire army underwent a large-scale restructuring, with many tank divisions being converted into armored brigades. Even those that retained the division designation were reduced to a four-regiment system.

The Sixth Division is the only one that remains unaffected and still consists of five regiments. This is one of the reasons why the Kyoto Military Region wants to closely link this information technology experiment with the Sixth Division.

Their scale is indeed incomparable to the current 7th Armored Brigade.

Chen Mo glanced at the contents.

The data recorded in the documents, the operational plans formulated by the staff, and the details of the night training of various units are not difficult to understand.

The overall training consisted of nighttime assault drills, ten special scenarios categorized by engineers, an 80-kilometer covert maneuver, a 20-kilometer coordinated engagement, and four hours of multi-stage logistical support including fuel.

The goal is to see how efficient these combat units are after the equipment upgrade.

no doubt.

If someone's work is selected and shown to the reconnaissance company, and they are asked to write a reflection, it means that the night training session was extremely ineffective.

There's no need to single out those who played well.

Exercise data is usually only recorded in great detail when there is a failure, often in three volumes.

If you win, or if you are particularly efficient, you usually just make a few notes and that's it.

Even if you wanted to look, you wouldn't be able to tell anything.

Understand the background of the archived exercise.

Chen Mo sat quietly in front of him and watched him write. He knew this veteran. He used to be in the reconnaissance company, just like Lao Pao and Liu Hai. He was in the same squad as them. His name was Yin Xiaoguang, and he was also a third-level sergeant.

The first squad of the reconnaissance company is an elite squad in the company. It is always a full squad of twelve men, and the squad leader is also carefully selected.

In wartime, these elite squads are usually directly commanded by the company commander or political instructor, who assume the responsibility of a commando unit, clearing the way for the entire company.

The responsibility is heavy, and everyone must be an elite. So, out of the dozen or so people this time, a third of them are from Class One.

Yin Xiaoguang's handwriting was terrible, it looked like a dog crawling, and Chen Mo had to get much closer to see it clearly.

However, it must be admitted.

This veteran is quite skilled. According to his analysis, the reason why the 22nd Regiment failed in its night training was due to its low combat efficiency.

That was because one of the tank battalions miscalculated the fuel replenishment method during a maneuver, causing a failure in coordination with the logistics unit.

The 80-kilometer stealth maneuver was a complete disaster, not to mention the subsequent 20-kilometer coordinated combat. The entire armored battalion lost tanks along the way, and more than half of the new tanks were grounded.

This training exercise only mobilized two tank battalions. If half of the armored units are in this situation, it will lead to delays in the exchange of combat information and make it impossible to achieve efficient coordination with the other main force battalion.

During the battle, the right flank of the infantry battalion lost the protection of armored units and was taken advantage of by the enemy to infiltrate and attack, cutting off the mobility chain of thousands of men in the entire night training regiment.

The coordinated firepower failed, resulting in a disastrous defeat.

Not only was the main battalion's operation poor, but Yin Xiaoguang also specifically pointed out that the howitzer company received 10 artillery coordination tactical orders and two air enemy situation evasion orders during the overall 100-kilometer mobile assault.

During the second attempt to evade enemy activity, the ground camouflage failed and the troops became too concentrated, resulting in the loss of the entire company.

The data shows that before the entire howitzer company was lost in battle, the effective fire rate was less than 50%.

Based on this data, Yin Xiaoguang concluded that the howitzer company had been too complacent and careless during the process of maneuvering, setting up positions, preparing artillery fire, and withdrawing from their positions.

Not only were the troops too concentrated and exposed to enemy air fire, but they also had anti-medium and low-altitude anti-aircraft machine guns, and were not deployed according to standards at all.

Otherwise, a howitzer company could not have been wiped out so easily.

Looking at Yin Xiaoguang's analysis, Chen Mo nodded slightly, feeling a bit emotional. He truly deserved to be called a veteran of Class One.

Based on some descriptions or data, the scene of the night training can be reconstructed, and the problems existing in the combat units can be accurately identified.

I have to admit, that's already pretty impressive.

Because the materials distributed to veterans by the base only contained data, but not the reviews and reflections that were conducted later.

Writing these kinds of reflections sounds easy, but it's actually very difficult.

Unless one is extremely familiar with the battlefield and has an exceptional understanding of the coordination between different units, it is impossible to analyze the reasons for failure based on data.

If it were an ordinary person...

Let alone looking at the data, even if you stand on the edge of the battlefield and watch from beginning to end, you probably still wouldn't understand why a reinforced regiment of several thousand people is like this.

Within hours, more than half of them will be lost.

In warfare, sometimes a single erroneous command can tilt the entire course of the battle, leading to swift defeat. Being able to analyze the core of the problem is truly remarkable.

Chen Mo stood up and patted Yin Xiaoguang on the shoulder, intending to encourage him. But the old soldier didn't appreciate it and just glanced back at him with a disgusted look.

I couldn't be bothered to talk to him.

One by one, people returned to the training field.

They rushed into the classroom, gulped down a few mouthfuls of water while drenched in sweat, and then slumped onto their desks to start writing. They were all in a hurry, as if they were afraid that if they waited any longer, they would forget what they were doing.

Chen Mo didn't offer any further reminders. He was engrossed in looking at each one as he wandered around.

Pei Shuaijun pushed open the classroom door, glanced at the veterans who were diligently working at their desks inside, and then walked up to Chen Mo and whispered, "Let's go, the director wants to see you."

"Find me?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was taken aback.

The classroom was quiet right now, with only the rustling sound of writing everywhere, so he couldn't very well ask directly here.

When he followed Pei Shuaijun outside, he finally asked, "What does the director want with me at this hour?"

"How would I know?" Pei Shuaijun raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and continued, "By the way, regarding the matter of you asking me to go to the training department, I have submitted the list of those specialties."

"As for the personnel, I have no idea when they can be transferred here."

"It's okay, it'll be quick." Chen Mo smiled confidently.

If the training department wants to request personnel from the grassroots level, the resistance will be enormous, because they are also departments of the military region with complex relationships, and it is not easy to transfer personnel.

But the base is different.

This is an important pilot project approved by the military region headquarters, paving the way with information technology. They want several professional non-commissioned officers to assist in the training.

The training department probably wouldn't dare to neglect this matter; even if they don't have enough influence, they would report it up the chain of command.

It will be resolved perfectly very soon.

Therefore, Chen Mo didn't care about this at all.

"Alright, I've already discussed what you said with the training department. Director Luo is in his office, so go ahead."

After Pei Shuaijun finished speaking, he hurriedly ran away. No one knows where this guy gets so many things to do all day long.

Arrived at Luo Yaowu's office.

Chen Mo pushed open the door and saw Director Luo sitting in his office chair, deep in thought. He quickly walked a few steps and stood two meters away from the desk.

Their feet slammed together, making a "smack" sound.

Raising his hand in salute, he said, "Greetings, Commander!"

Chen Mo's voice was loud and clear, and his whole demeanor was so imposing that Luo Yaowu, who was originally deep in thought, frowned at the noise.

"I'm not deaf, no need to shout like that." Luo Yaowu tossed a document from the table over with a cold expression.

Without waiting for his signal, Chen Mo took the initiative to pick up the documents and start reading.

There wasn't anything important recorded on it, and it didn't even have anything to do with the base.

It was a notice regarding a new round of troop reductions and reorganizations in the 189th Division.

The content is nothing special.

In short, according to the overall plan requirements and guiding principles, the military region will further optimize and reorganize the structure of the division and regimental headquarters, streamline the administration and reduce the number of existing departments.

Integrate a new and efficient command and support system with training, combat, and political functions as the main components, and change the current situation of a bloated command system.

Disarmament is usually announced first, and then it is carried out in a large-scale manner.

Chen Mo's prediction that the 189th Division would be significantly reduced this time was not unexpected, after all, this division was somewhat special.

They were not mechanized infantry, motorized infantry, or armored units from the military region, but rather division-level units directly transferred from the 4th Guard Division of the Kyoto Garrison.

He wasn't affected by the previous military downsizing.

Perhaps due to its predecessor, it has powerful backers. But even with powerful backers, it's impossible for other companies to be laid off to the point of collapse.

The 189th Division has remained stationary.

Chen Mo understood the logic, but what did it have to do with the base?

Information technology experiments don't need the help of infantry divisions.

"Commander, what is this?" Chen Mo asked, somewhat puzzled, after reading through the documents in his hand from beginning to end.

heard asking.

Luo Yaowu waved his hand: "The personnel relocation process within the military region has been accelerated as the middle of the year approaches."

"The 189th Division has been disbanded this time, with more than a dozen grassroots battalion and company units to have their designations cancelled. The division headquarters will also be reduced from 26 departments to 17 departments."

"The main divisions and regiments need to face the pressure of transformation and downsizing. The grassroots units are currently facing the same old problems. It's just a period of painful transformation and personnel relocation. People still need to eat, and the families behind the relocated officers and senior non-commissioned officers need to eat even more."

“Commander Zheng is also an old friend of mine. He hopes that this transformation can be more flexible and doesn’t want to be so brutal and carried out in a one-size-fits-all manner.”

"You understand what I mean?"

Luo Yaowu raised his hand to rub his temples and stared at Chen Mo.

"I understand, sir!!"

Chen Mo straightened his back; he had indeed understood what Director Luo meant.

It's simply that the base needs to establish new units; currently, there are only a little over a hundred people, which is definitely not enough.

The 189th Division wanted to transfer some of the demobilized personnel here, which would not only alleviate the pain caused by the downsizing, but also allow some soldiers from impoverished families to continue serving in the military.

To be honest, from an emotional point of view, Chen Mo hopes that all soldiers who wear military uniforms can live happy lives.

But that's not realistic.

If some of the personnel from the 189th Division are transferred here, how can the informationized force be formed?

It takes a tremendous amount of time to train a group of people who are gathered together from all over the place to build a unit with entirely new ideas.

If a new unit wants to have combat effectiveness and obedience from top to bottom, it can only choose to adopt new methods.

For example, if the entire reconnaissance company comes over, with Cheng Dong keeping things under control, there won't be any problems. For subsequent experiments, we can find another complete main force battalion.

There's still room for experimentation with this hybrid approach.

If it were just a matter of piecing things together, no one would have the ability to lead such a force.

Feelings aside, reason is reason; the base simply doesn't have the capacity to take in this group right now.

Chen Mo knew that the reason Director Luo asked him, a cadet who wasn't even an officer yet, was because he already knew the answer, but he was just being polite to his old comrade.

I just couldn't refuse directly.

"Since you understand, then tell me your thoughts." Luo Yaowu picked up a cigarette case from his desk, took out a cigarette and tossed one to Chen Mo, then lit one for himself.

"Yes, Chief."

Chen Mo took the cigarette, considered for a moment, and then spoke.

"Sir, the decision to reduce the military takes into account the realities of daily life and avoids a crude, one-size-fits-all approach is definitely the right thing to do."

"Transformation always comes with growing pains. Those who stay may not be the best, and those who leave may not be the worst."

"It's just during this period that the military needs people to make sacrifices."

"Is that your answer?"

Luo Yaowu glanced at Chen Mo with some surprise. He really hadn't expected that this young man in front of him could see things so clearly.

This doesn't look like a private at all.

"Yes, Chief."

Chen Mo straightened his chest again, making his stance clear.

He couldn't accept it because if the people who came were too diverse, the difficulty of forming a new unit would increase exponentially.

Don't talk about coordination failures or discord between units; those are minor issues. It would be normal for combat effectiveness to be reversed.

“Okay, something comes up at the academy, I need to go back for a few days.”

"You stay here and lead them well. It was quite an achievement to see what you guys did on the training field today."

"In a few days, people from other colleges, including armored vehicles, staff, and military medical schools, will come with me. You need to speed up the process of assigning majors."

"That's it, disband!"

"Yes."

Chen Mo glanced at Director Luo and knew that the other party wanted to flee and seek refuge.

After all, he was originally from the military, and he held the power to decide on the establishment of the base in this downsizing effort.

There must be many old comrades behind him trying to get people into this position.

If you don't want to offend anyone, then you have no choice but to leave the base temporarily and return to the academy.

However, this has little to do with Chen Mo.

Given the current situation, the matter of assigning specialties can be resolved quickly, at least before Director Luo returns.

He was able to sort out the issue of professional assignments for the more than one hundred people currently at the base.

Director Luo's departure will only allow him to work even more freely.

Other organizations are also currently facing transformation.

Under these circumstances, Chen Mo was genuinely looking forward to the moment when the informationized integrated forces would emerge.

As for how to select the main force, Chen Mo already has an idea.

That was the 2nd Tank Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, where he had once served.

There, the veterans were studying, along with their comrades from the recruit company, Feng Junling and Zhu Gaituan.

Next time I see those two, they'll be so surprised!
After all, as a fellow soldier from the same year, I have accomplished some things.

(End of this chapter)