Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 255 Only by shouldering heavy responsibilities can one dare to venture into perilous waters.
It's a rare opportunity to get together.

After finally finishing the equipment preparation and personnel mobilization, the demonstration battalion had a dozen or so key members, including both newcomers and veterans.

They all gathered in Chen Mo's room in the cadre dormitory building.

Take advantage of this opportunity.

Cheng Dong pulled Political Instructor Fang Peijun to hand over the task. After all, personnel transfers, commendations and awards, and personnel exchanges or transfers to the barracks all needed to be handled by the political instructor, who also had to register everyone's affiliation with the Sergeant Academy.

With the logistics personnel absent, the staff department handles all the work. Before the political instructor arrives, the staff department still does all the work.

Recently, Cheng Dong, who has never cared about health preservation, has somehow gotten hold of a folk remedy and started sprinkling goji berries into his water glass.

Look at them, they must be exhausted.

Seeing that everyone had gotten to know each other, Chen Mo picked up a bottle of beer, tapped it on the table to make a noise and attract everyone's attention, and then said, "Come on, we should all set off for Taishan Academy tomorrow."

"Let's take tonight as a boost to our morale for the work ahead. Building the battalion will be tough, but as long as we get through this period and get the battalion up and running, we will be the number one battalion in the seven military regions."

"cheers!!"

"Dry!"

With a series of clattering sounds, the glass bottles clattered together, and everyone gulped down several mouthfuls before Chen Mo finally put down the bottle and wiped his mouth.

His gaze turned to Liu Min: "Captain Liu, tomorrow all the comrades in your medical team will have to work hard to conduct physical examinations for all the students who have previously attended the academy."

"To ensure that there are no problems during the subsequent high-intensity training, any comrade who is found to be unwell should be immediately asked to leave."

"There's no reason."

"Row."

Liu Min nodded.

In the past, she would have argued with the scholar, saying that ordinary training would not affect the soldiers' physical fitness.

But not anymore.

The main reason is that she had witnessed the situation in the Blue Army camp before, which really trained people to the point of exhaustion. The training time in a day could reach up to 15 hours in total.

It's like using soldiers as tanks and officers as cannonballs.

However, the results were quite remarkable.

At least on the Northwest battlefield, the main force did not falter during long-distance maneuvers.

Chen Mo had no time to analyze the medical team's thoughts. He glanced around, thought for a moment, and then looked at Cheng Dong: "Company Commander, you and Lao Man should pay more attention to training matters, except for the ammunition issue for the new equipment, which is not in such a hurry."

"Coordinate with the logistics department as soon as possible to expedite the approval process for the annual training ammunition. Even if other companies are still under construction, once the armored vehicles arrive, the ammunition cannot be delayed too much."

"Row!"

Cheng Dong nodded.

Entrusting logistics to him was a real scare for Cheng Dong, after all, the military region's logistics department was notoriously stingy.

Even many people at the grassroots level know this.

Even when it comes to applications from established organizations, the applications are often subject to repeated deductions. For those of them who don't even have an established organization, it will probably be even more difficult.

but it does not matter.

Cheng Dong had already planned to take Man Xuexi and move to the main gate of the logistics department. He would stay there with his bedding as long as they didn't give him any.

While it's not too cold yet, let's endure a few more days; it's better than the dead of winter.

This idea is not an exaggeration. In some organizations, people of high rank dare to bang on the table and ask for things. Although it may not be of much use, at least it can vent some anger.

Small organizations have no authority, so they can only resort to these disgusting methods.

The work assignments seem to be almost complete.

Chen Mo didn't spoil everyone's fun. The group gathered together, clinking glasses, chatting and boasting, and didn't disperse until around 10 p.m.

Wang Jianyong was responsible for staying behind to tidy up the dormitory.

Chen Mo followed Lao Pao and the other man, wandering aimlessly around the camp area.

I wonder what it's like for other people to serve in the military.

Anyway, Chen Mo was quite grateful to Lao Pao, his squad leader during his recruit days. Although Lao Pao didn't manage the squad's affairs much, he at least gave him a lot of opportunities to make a difference.

"Monitor."

"Ah."

"Do you have any suggestions for this camp setup?" Chen Mo took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered one to Lao Pao.

Regardless of the circumstances, Zhou Yongjie had been in the military for over a decade, always serving as a sergeant and never leading a company. In some respects...

His experience may be more practical than that of cadres.

Upon hearing the question, Lao Pao turned his head and stared at Chen Mo, realizing that he wasn't just asking casually, but genuinely wanted to know his opinion.

Zhou Yongjie simply turned around, sat down on the curb, and snorted out two thick puffs of smoke, saying, "If you want my advice on building a camp, let me ask you a question first."

"no problem."

Chen Mo looked at the old man with genuine interest.

"How do you think a military unit's combat effectiveness is formed? Or, what is the biggest source of a military unit's strength?"

Emboldened!

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo's face showed a thoughtful expression.

Just then, Man Xuexi ran over and sat cross-legged on the ground, listening to the two chatting.

Man Xuexi heard the old man's question, but he did not respond, nor did he intend to.

Chen Mo didn't respond so quickly. Since the class monitor asked that question, it definitely wasn't the answer he was thinking of.

Cohesion, execution, and a sense of honor are all fundamental to an army's combat effectiveness.

Take the previous Blue Army battalion for example. So many units were put together, and they did high-intensity training without any incidents or disturbances.

To put it bluntly, isn't it the collective second-class merit that draws everyone's sense of responsibility?
It may sound harsh, but it's the truth.

Otherwise, let alone several battalions, even if they were gathered together...

When two classes from different units are brought together, they become two separate groups. Without a common goal, conflicts are bound to arise.

"Squad leader, I believe the greatest source of confidence is harmony."

Chen Mo stated definitively, "The cohesion, execution, and combat effectiveness of the troops are all built upon a fair, just, and harmonious environment."

"Yes, but not entirely."

The old man grinned, surprised that Chen Mo could actually think of these things.

"Let me put it this way, you are very capable, there's no doubt about that. But have you thought about it? Even if you build a camp now, how will it be any different from the old Blue Army camp?"

"The soldiers weren't trained by you; they were all transferred from various units. The officers weren't trained by you either; you used every means possible to transfer them from other units."

"If you want to distinguish between the Blue Army battalion and the new battalion, the only difference is that there are no longer organized units."

"But this does not mean that the newly formed battalion will necessarily have cohesion and combat effectiveness."

"The combat effectiveness I'm referring to is the kind that should have been even higher. It's a good thing that you can fight for the benefits of the battalion, and it also shows that you are a responsible cadre by securing relocation arrangements for veterans."

“But Chen Mo, have you thought about it? No matter how many third-class merits, second-class merits, or even promotions, ranks, and various benefits there are, they are all targeted at people.”

"You always say the new camp has a new look, but the newness can't just be in the people. Where is the soul of the new camp? How is it different from other units?"

"When the comrades in the battalion talk about the model battalion, besides saying that the weapons are new and the benefits are excellent, what other good things can they say about this battalion?"

“If you are training new recruits, then your method is fine. But the problem is that there are almost no new recruits in the entire battalion, and officers and non-commissioned officers each make up half of the battalion.”

"If you only retain employees through benefits, then this organization will always just have good benefits. What if one day the model employee title is removed, and you can't fight for more benefits?"

"Are we just going to watch helplessly as the only thing the entire battalion could boast about disappears?"

The old man's words completely baffled Chen Mo and everyone else, including Man Xuexi.

Neither Cheng Dong nor Wang Songhe raised such a direct and pointed question.

Perhaps even they themselves don't know, because high rank and seniority don't necessarily guarantee experience in forming troops.

Seeing Chen Mo deep in thought, Lao Pao patted Chen Mo's shoulder and laughed, "This problem isn't difficult to solve, but I can't solve it for you."

“As a battalion commander, you should lead a battalion that best suits your style. If the foundation for building the battalion is to expand from another battalion with the same personnel, then you don’t need to worry about these things. The grassroots backbone will naturally subconsciously promote this.”

"The problem is that you're building this battalion using a reconnaissance company, a single company-level unit, as the main body. A single company can't support the soul of a battalion. Moreover, a reconnaissance company has absolutely nothing to do with your informationized multi-service battalion."

"Do you know why the Reconnaissance Company 3, the Night Tiger Company, the Hard-Bone Company, and the Vanguard Model Company are so famous?"

"Because they not only have historical heritage, but also many unique characteristics that other companies cannot match. This is what you should consider and learn from."

“Building a battalion is not easy. It’s not just about the equipment and the personnel, but also about how to stand out from the crowd so that people in the battalion can proudly introduce their unit with a thumbs up when they talk about it. It’s not because of the benefits or because of the example, but simply because they are proud of their unit.”

"Welfare and setting an example are just extras, not things that should be praised in themselves."

"If you do it, this demonstration camp will be revitalized. Its combat effectiveness, cohesion, and execution will arise naturally without you having to lead it."

"Just like you said tonight, the first battalion of the seven military regions, being the first cannot just mean being the first to be established; it must have its own connotation and style."

"Come on!"

After Zhou Yongjie finished speaking, he took out the remaining cigarettes and matches from his pocket and placed them in front of Chen Mo.

He patted him on the shoulder again, then turned and left.

The veteran had worked in multiple units, so his experience was undoubtedly invaluable. But he also knew that even if he had discovered those problems, he wouldn't have been able to solve them, not because he lacked ability, but because his position wasn't right.

If he solved it, then it wouldn't be the information technology battalion led by Chen Mo.

Therefore, these difficult problems can only be left for Chen Mo to figure out on his own.

Watching the old soldier walk away, Man Xuexi swallowed hard. He had also worked at the grassroots level for a while and knew that the problem the old squad leader had mentioned was indeed subjective.

But he had no idea how to solve it.

Chen Mo remained silent throughout, and the two sat side by side on the curb, smoking one cigarette after another.

There's just nothing to say.

A good ten minutes passed before Chen Mo flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, turned to look at Lao Man, and asked, "Didn't I tell you to screen the backbone of the 27th and 38th radar units and air defense units?"

"Why did you come here too?"

"Battalion Commander, tell me to go easy on you. You can't even get this list right?" Man Xuexi shrugged confidently. "I was watching the backend system when we were registering."

“I didn’t pick many, just forty or fifty people. Adding Wang Jianbin from Xiangjian, there are only fifty people in total.”

"Fifty?!?"

When Chen Mo heard this number, he was speechless for a long time.

Damn it, these two units only emerged during the second phase of mechanization, and they only have a total staff of a few people.

Asking for fifty was something Chen Mo admitted he didn't have the guts to do.

But if you want it, then go for it. Ask for more; you should always give them room to negotiate.

"Battalion Commander, those are minor issues. Do you have a solution to the problem the old sergeant just mentioned?"

Man Xue looked worried; many people wouldn't even think of such a problem unless it was brought up.

But once it's brought up, it's like a sharp blade hanging over one's head, constantly making one feel uneasy.

Let me think about this carefully.

Chen Mo waved his hand, got up and walked towards the dormitory.

Seeing this, Lao Man didn't follow up anymore. Just as Wang Songhe commented, Chen Mo was too goal-oriented in his actions, and often he didn't even realize it himself.

You'll find yourself trapped in it without even realizing it.

If I can't figure out a solution to the problem the old man mentioned, I probably won't be able to sleep all night.

In fact, Chen Mo had considered similar situations.

Previously, the Blue Army Battalion temporarily assembled several companies without any problems because they were led by the original officers and attracted by the collective second-class merit.

There shouldn't be any major problems.

However, this time the battalion could not be established; there were no organized units, and the trainees were mostly composed of veterans.

Some of these people were selected by their work units, while others were simply recruited by the demonstration camp through a combination of persuasion and force.

Even many people at the top don't have a high opinion of the so-called informationized battalion from the bottom of their hearts, so how much awareness can the soldiers below have?

For example.

The people who were temporarily assembled were all veterans, experienced, and disciplined, so they didn't need much guidance.

But who can guarantee that these key personnel, after leaving their original units, won't suddenly find the new units uninteresting, no longer sign up to stay, and instead choose to retire and return to their hometowns?
It's almost September now, and the discharge season is just around the corner.

No matter how good the policies are or how many spots are reserved in the demonstration camp, it can't overcome the loneliness some veterans feel when they leave their original units.

If they don't want anything, giving them a merit award is pointless.

Once this mindset spreads in the new camp, the demobilization season will be a fatal blow to the demonstration camp.

Right now, it seems like there's nothing wrong.

At the sergeant academy, the newly recruited students have already begun taking academic courses and receiving information technology training based on their specialties.

Even members of the 61st Division began to join.

Everything seemed peaceful and harmonious, but it was precisely this quiet harmony that would leave the biggest hidden danger for the successful construction of the camp later.

Comrades who are not familiar with each other and lack effective communication will not talk about their problems or share their feelings. As a result, no sparks will fly between them and no feelings will be felt. Naturally, their camaraderie will fade and turn cold.

Only through effective communication among soldiers can cohesion be generated, and only when everyone shares the same goal can the entire unit possess combat effectiveness.

But this kind of thing is easier said than done.

We need to make everyone in the camp feel a sense of belonging and honor.

"Being unconventional. Being unconventional."

late at night.

Chen Mo lay on the large iron bed, still pondering this question.

On the morning of September 8th.

Inside the howitzer battalion in Hedong City, all officers and non-commissioned officers began to evacuate.

They prepared to head to the Taishan base to rendezvous and form a new battalion.

Some of them couldn't wait, like Qin Xiaojun or Xu Zhanqi, who were new to the position of company commander and ran away last night.

The rest will be sent over in batches today.

Just before departure.

On the training ground, everyone received a notification to line up and assemble.

Having stayed up all night without sleep, Chen Mo waited until the entire formation was assembled before strolling from the administration building to the training ground.

Chen Mo glanced at the neatly arranged ranks, waved the documents in his hand, and said loudly, "Comrades, do you all still remember what our mission is for this time when we go to the Sergeant Academy?"

"Build a camp!!"

Shouts erupted from the crowd; everyone had been busy with this matter lately, how could they not know?

"That's right, set up camp!!"

Chen Mo nodded: "But building a battalion is not just a slogan, something you can just shout out, nor is it something you can quickly get the whole battalion up and running just by setting a policy."

"As the saying goes, 'Without rules, there can be no order.' If you want to take on the responsibilities of a cadre and lead an army, you can't do without rules."

"From now on, armored infantry companies and tank companies will establish a Dragon and Tiger Ranking, one Dragon Ranking and one Tiger Ranking, with rankings for individuals and groups."

"I'm putting it this way: the individual who wins first place on the list will be awarded a third-class merit, but the list of collective achievements will not be released for the time being."

"That list will only be available after all the companies are established."

"As for the comprehensive aspects of this individual ranking, that will be left to the General Staff to formulate."

"I'll add just one thing: within three days of the company's formation, all officers and soldiers must be familiar with it. Remember, I said all of them."

"I will conduct spot checks, and if any company is found to have problems, your first place will also miss out on the third-class merit award."

"If we want to be number one, then the whole company has to work hard."

"Secondly, starting today, I will not care about anyone else. As long as they are officers or soldiers belonging to the demonstration battalion, during mealtimes, soldiers will be served first, then non-commissioned officers, and finally officers. Right now, we have a small number of people, so the issue of space may not be a big problem."

"But remember, rules are rules."

“Even if there are only ten people in the whole battalion, as an officer, you have to be placed behind the soldiers. Comrade Man Xuexi will temporarily serve as the military police officer. During mealtimes, he will mainly lead the staff to handle this matter.”

"Whoever violates the rules, tell him to come and talk to me."

"At the same time, the staff should also send people to the company to communicate with the soldiers and carefully record the problems they report."

"We need to register at least ten cases every day and work together to solve them."

"Everything I just mentioned must be implemented. Anyone who violates the rules must come to me in person and explain why."

"Is it clear?"

"clear!!!"

In the queue, everyone responded in unison.

Chen Mo is right. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished. We talk about building a camp every day, but we never talk about discipline.

Even the most disciplined soldier cannot endure a life of laziness in a barracks for long.

With rules in place, confidence naturally follows.

The old man stood in the queue below, watching Chen Mo announce the instructions, and he grinned.

Although these changes are still small, at least some changes have been made.

Especially regarding the order of meals, it may not matter for a day or two, but if it is maintained over time, the atmosphere of the camp will naturally take shape.

Even the best organizations are perfected through these small, detailed requirements.

The old man smiled.

That's because he saw that the soldiers he had trained, while shouldering heavy responsibilities, did not shrink back or retreat, but bravely took on the task.

They began to try to take routes that the reconnaissance company had never taken before.

Isn't this the new atmosphere that a new battalion should have?

(End of this chapter)