Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

Gao Cheng nodded. "According to the timeline, it should be on the division commander's desk by now. I've asked around, and there's no problem. By early next year, Shi Jin will be carrying two thick-bladed rifles."

Hong Xingguo nodded, "Yes, apart from the four technical personnel who were transferred to the armored and light weapons maintenance teams in our Steel Seventh Company."

Squad Leader Shi is the first person to be transferred to a military training post at the training unit just before the end of their term.

"Old Hong, are the first and second phases of recruitment approved soon?" Following the topic, Gao Cheng thought of their recruitment of new sergeants this year.

"Old Gao, it's been submitted. Judging by the time, it should be approved in the next day or two. There are 21 spots for the first phase and 12 spots for the second phase this year, but it's still not enough."

Hong Xingguo shook his head as he answered.

Zhang Anbang's expression was serious. "We already have the most slots in the entire group, but it's still impossible to cover everyone."

According to the Regulations on Active Duty Service issued in 1999 and still in effect, as well as the notice on the reform of the selection of non-commissioned officers, the number of non-commissioned officer positions has begun to shift towards a more precise non-commissioned officer system.

We should still encourage our soldiers to take the time to study more and try to improve their education level, so that they can better meet the needs of our troops for talent.

Since 1991, the military has increasingly emphasized the importance of highly educated and skilled soldiers and non-commissioned officers.

As Gao Cheng packed up his pool paddle, he said that he couldn't play today, and he didn't want to play anymore.

"Xiaoqi, you're right, but let's talk about that later. There's no rush right now. The mountain exercise is about to begin, so we need to focus on training."

As for strengthening learning and improving academic qualifications, that is something, but it's not something to rush. Right now, each squad in the Seventh Steel Company has anywhere from three to four or five non-commissioned officers.

In elite companies like the Steel Seventh Company, the overall probability of conscripts becoming first-term sergeants is 60-70%, which is almost twice as high as the 30-40% in ordinary companies.

Therefore, Cheng Cai's decision to switch to the Third Company was a very stupid one. He was too shrewd and wanted to stay in the army too much, completely forgetting that with his achievements, he could have become a sergeant in the Seventh Company.

This is a perfect example of how a leaf can block out Mount Tai.

Even if Li Meng hadn't left Class 5, he would most likely have been marginalized in the Third Company.

He stumbled at every step. The Third Company was just an ordinary company, and its resources were not drastically different from those of the Seventh Company.

Moving from the 7th Company to the 3rd Company is roughly equivalent to moving from a low-level position in a top company to a middle-level position in a small company. It seems like a promotion, but in reality, the benefits in all aspects are lower.

Another important factor is the environment in the military. The environment of the Seventh Company, where everyone is vying for positions, is very different from that of the Third Company. The external environment has a significant impact on people.

The level of attention received by the Seventh Company and the Third Company was also different. The top performers in the Seventh Company were known throughout the regiment and even the division, while those in the Third Company received far less attention.

Most importantly, his behavior violated the military's talent development logic, exposed his utilitarian personality flaws, and made him unsuitable for important tasks in the eyes of his superiors.

When selecting key personnel for the military, especially mid- to senior-level non-commissioned officers who have undergone long-term training, competence is fundamental, but character is crucial.

The key is to stay at your post and shoulder your responsibilities.

Therefore, when Cheng Cai made the decision to switch jobs, he lost many opportunities in the military.

However, this person was quite bold. After realizing his mistake, he learned his lesson, corrected his ways, and that's why he had a chance later.

Hong Xingguo shook his head and said, "Why are we suddenly doing mountain exercises? We are a mechanized heavy force, and mountain warfare is not well-suited to us."

Zhang Anbang said with a smile, "There's nothing we can do, instructor. The Gulf War really hurt Saddam Hussein, but we've all been hurt by what we've seen."

Gao Cheng agreed, "Xiao Qi is right. Since last year, our unit has issued a document to shift from single-terrain warfare to all-area warfare."

In the past two years, we've been training on more and more hilly terrain; in the past, we only trained on plains raids.

While helping Hong Xingguo check if the banner was hung straight, Zhang Anbang continued speaking.

"The company commander is right. I suspect there might be some bigger plans behind this mountain exercise."

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent one of our armored spearhead companies to attack the hilltop; it's practically a direct challenge to fight off-road.

This will test our ability to adapt to different terrains, our ability to operate with light equipment, and our ability to coordinate across multiple scenarios.

Gao Cheng clapped repeatedly, "Xiao Qi is right, but who are we? We are the Steel Seventh Company. We are just as good as the Steel Seventh Company, no matter who the opponent is. We have never lost."

Hong Xingguo hung up the banner and said, "The company commander's words are inspiring. We are the Steel Seventh Company. We have never been afraid of anyone."

From the joint army, navy, and air force live-fire exercise on the Liaodong Peninsula in November 1955, directed by Marshal Ye Jianying, to the present, in every exercise, our Steel Seventh Company has utterly thrashed the enemy.

"Haha, the instructor is right. No matter who the opponent is, we'll beat them all up. We're the elite company, so we'll definitely be the first to step up in something like this."

After a pause, Gao Cheng continued, "By the way, Xiao Qi, you got first place in the entire army's overall skills competition this time. You'll definitely get a second-class merit award, right?"

Zhang Anbang smiled and said, "It's nothing, no problem."

Although it's honorable to make contributions, it's not very meaningful to say it yourself; you have to hear others say it to truly appreciate it.

Hong Xingguo, being a good instructor, immediately replied, "There's definitely no problem. Our C Group Army has 6 men, ranked first overall, and broke several records. We're definitely a second-class merit."

Not only Xiao Qi, but Liu Yi also received a third-class merit. Xu Sanduo also broke a record in a project and was a training pacesetter in our division, so he was awarded a third-class merit ahead of schedule.

Gao Cheng's face immediately lit up with a smile. He had thought of something that would make him very happy and proud, and he looked at Hong Xingguo with anticipation.

He knew Zhang Anbang too well; he usually didn't talk about his glorious deeds himself, but preferred to hear others talk about them.

During the group army's skills competition, several people from their Steel Seventh Company went, led by Hong Xingguo and Zhang Anbang. In addition, there was that old man from the group army, but he didn't go.

The army group competition only announces the individual subject rankings on the spot. The final rankings for the team and individual all-around competitions need to go through three stages: tallying, review, and public announcement, which will take one or two days later.

Hong Xingguo laughed, "Company Commander, you're right. Out of 234 companies, our Steel Seventh Company is the number one company-level unit."

In a few days, another banner will be delivered, commemorating the army group's champion company in the skills competition.

Gao Cheng was anxious. This was a top-tier banner, and the company would be directly rated as a top-class company in the annual training evaluation. "Why does it still have to wait a few more days?"

Seeing Gao Cheng's anxious look, Hong Xingguo quickly said, "It's with the regimental commander. He said to leave it with him for a few days until all sixteen company commanders have finished their visits, then he'll return it to us."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng's smile instantly stretched to his ears. "That's right, they haven't seen it before. The commander is kind-hearted. Let them see it. Let's go get it in a few days and let them have a look."

Congratulations, Xiao Qi! You haven't been in the army long, and this guy's achievements are already starting at the second-class level. That's quite a few now.

Hong Xingguo held up his finger. "The company commander is right. One first-class merit and one second-class merit. The massage technique is still being verified, and it should be done soon. I heard from the regimental commander that once it's confirmed, it will be a second-class merit."

Adding this to the mix, four are second-class, one is first-class, and most of them are at the military rank. That's quite impressive, Xiao Qi.

The Second-Class Merit Citation at the Army Level is the highest award given by an approving authority other than the Central Military Commission and major military regions; it is a prestigious honor for grassroots troops.

Zhang Anbang waved his hand, "Thank you, thank you. It's all thanks to the organization's training, the leaders' guidance, and my own small efforts. Also, congratulations to the company commander and political instructor."

Gao Cheng and Hong Xingguo laughed too. The Seventh Steel Company had won a collective second-class merit, and as the company commanders, they would be directly awarded a second-class merit.

According to disciplinary regulations, collective merit is linked to the merit rank of the principal officer. The principal officer of a construction unit bears primary responsibility for the overall performance of the unit and also enjoys the main credit.

As the military and political leaders of the Steel Seventh Company, Gao Cheng and Hong Xingguo were the primary responsible persons for the company's preparations for and participation in the competition. The collective credit for the Steel Seventh Company's first-place finish was directly attributed to its leaders.

Of course, if something happens to the company, these two people will also be primarily responsible.

"This is pretty good. He's a new recruit who's been in the army for less than a year and has already received two third-class merits. It'll be a sure thing for him to become a non-commissioned officer, and there won't be any problem with him becoming a third-term officer on June 1st."

Gao Cheng raised an eyebrow when he heard the first half of the sentence, but the second half made him laugh.

"Xiao Qi, pack your things and hurry up and take Shi Jin to the regimental headquarters, otherwise the regimental commander will call and yell at me later."

Zhang Anbang responded and left the office.

At this moment, next to the training ground, Shi Jin was also saying goodbye to Xu Sanduo. "Sanduo, this is your record of abdominal barbell exercises. When the regiment was burning CDs, the company commander specially asked them to burn an extra copy."

I just got it back and had it specially delivered to you.

Keep this safe. This is the first honor you've received since joining the army, the source of your first third-class merit. In this competition, you won third place overall, which is another third-class merit.

"You'll definitely be promoted to sergeant next year, and then you'll be a squad leader. You must work hard, maintain your current momentum, and don't slack off, understand?"

Xu Sanduo was overjoyed. "Squad leader, it really was given to me by the company commander! Company commander, company commander..."

Shi Jin's words made him feel that the company commander had recognized him. Even though all the soldiers in the Steel Seventh Company recognized him now, he still wanted the company commander's recognition.

He was no longer that clueless recruit. Although he was still somewhat dull, he understood everything now.

In the Seventh Steel Company, as long as the company commander thinks it's acceptable, even if the rest of the company disagrees, the soldiers will still give him some face, like Cheng Cai.

Shi Jin nodded and confirmed, "Yes, it's the one the company commander specifically asked me to give to you."