Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

The new recruits felt like the sky was falling when they heard Zhang Anbang's words. This was terrible; not only was the company commander sending gifts, but the deputy company commander was sending gifts too.

Without even mentioning what was given, just the fact that the company commander's gift was substantial while his was a small one, suggests that something bad is about to happen.

Gao Cheng nodded and then ordered, "Alright, Shi Jin, take him back to the training ground as planned."

"Yes, Company Commander," Shi Jin replied loudly.

They then ran out of formation. "Attention, everyone—right turn, target training ground, left turn—run!"

"One two one, one two one..."

As the troops gradually disappeared into the distance, Zhang Anbang took out an application form from his pocket. "Company Commander, come and sign this."

As Zhang Anbang spoke, he handed over a black ballpoint pen.

"What's going on? You're making me sign here?" Gao Cheng said, taking the application form and pen.

"The small gifts prepared for the new recruits need your signature, Company Commander."

As Gao Cheng spoke, he took the pen with one hand and began to look at the application form with the other.

Military Supplies Requisition Form

Number: XNL-2000-01

Date of submission: December 20, 2000

Requisitioning Unit: New Recruit Company; Requisitioning Person: Zhang Anbang; Position: Deputy Company Commander

Material Name: Rifle Cartridge Casing; Specifications: 7.62*39mm (Compatible with Type 81-1 Rifle); Unit: Casing

Material Category: Training and Teaching Aids; Quantity Issued: 120

The purpose of this equipment is to provide auxiliary teaching aids for shooting training in recruit companies. It is placed on the muzzle to practice shooting stability and help recruits feel the balance of the gun.

领用期限：自2000年12月20日起，至 2001年1月31日新兵分兵考核结束止。

Remarks:

1. When receiving cartridge cases, primer residue must be removed; unauthorized refilling with gunpowder is strictly prohibited.

2. The recipient is responsible for the safekeeping of the materials during the requisition period; any loss will be compensated at cost.

3. The cancellation/return procedures shall be completed within 3 days after the training ends.

Approval opinion:

Level-by-level approval:

Signature: (Company Commander's Name) Date: December 20, 2000

Warehouse comments:

After verification, the stock of spent cartridge cases met the requisition standards and the quantity was sufficient; therefore, issuance was approved.

Signature: (Ordnance Officer's Name) Date: December 20, 2000

Issued by: XXX (Ordnance Officer)

Recipient: Zhang Anbang; Witness: (Duty Officer)

Handover date: December 20, 2000

Gao Cheng looked at the application form in his hand and laughed. "It has to be you, kid. I've heard about this before, but most people are still using bricks. I didn't expect you to use this. But it's good to give it a try."

Zhang Anbang smiled and said, "That's right, let's give it a try. It's just a few bullet casings, cheaper than your bricks."

In my memory, in the 2001 recruit training syllabus, gun stability training was included as a compulsory course. Because cartridge cases were compatible with the muzzle of mainstream rifles such as the Type 81-1, they were promoted throughout the army, with units such as the Armed Police Special Operations and Infantry Reconnaissance Companies taking the lead in implementing them as standard subjects.

After 2005, the training was further extended to include stacking cartridge cases on multiple parts of the body, such as the muzzle, head, and shoulders, becoming a core auxiliary subject for precision shooting by snipers and infantry, and was included in the training materials of some units.

Training standards: When shooting from a prone position, the spent cartridge case should not fall out for 10 to 30 minutes, and excellent shooters can do so for more than an hour, which is used to strengthen breathing control and muscle memory.

Compatible firearms: Compatible with Type 81-1 and Type 56 rifles. For Type 95 automatic rifles, which have no bullpup structure, spent cartridge cases are usually placed on the scope or the front of the handguard to assist in training.

Of course, the Steel Seventh Company does not currently have a Type 95 rifle. Wu Liuyi lost his vigilance during the exercise after seeing a Type 95 rifle during the exercise, which led to the loss of his entire exercise experience.

This training method is somewhat controversial. Some instructors believe that excessively pursuing the goal of not dropping spent cartridge cases may result in insufficient force when holding the gun, and that it is necessary to combine it with live-fire shooting to correct the action and avoid the separation between the person and the gun.

However, the core value of this training method is undeniable: it can test the stability of the rifle stance at low cost, quickly correct the problems of new recruits such as improper shoulder support and insufficient cheek contact, and improve body control at the moment of firing.

However, it is important to note that the cartridge cases need to be uniformly deprimed and the edges polished by ordnance personnel to prevent loosening or accidents.

"That makes sense. I'll go with you to take a look then." After saying that, Gao Cheng laid the application form on the hood of the engine and wrote his name on it.

"Go collect the spent cartridges. I'll go to the training ground and deliver my gifts to them." Gao Cheng waved, got into his car, and drove off without looking back.

Zhang Anbang, holding the application form, walked toward the armorer who was tidying up firearms and ammunition. "Hey, wait a minute, Gao Cheng took my ballpoint pen."

Isn't copying other people's work a hobby only doctors do? Has this habit spread to the military?

"Squad Leader Qi, I need to apply for a batch of shell casings. I'll need your help with that. After you're done here, go back and prepare them for me. I'll pick them up in an hour, okay?"

The second-term sergeant, who was packing up his weapons, heard the sound, turned around and saw that it was the deputy company commander of the recruit company. He quickly saluted and said, "Deputy Company Commander Zhang, I'll prepare it when I get back. You can come and pick it up when you arrive."

"Okay, okay, then I'll trouble Squad Leader Qi." After handing the application form to Squad Leader Qi, Zhang Anbang turned and walked towards the training ground.

At this moment, on the training ground of the recruit company, the recruits were wondering why their squad leader suddenly asked them to get the backpack ropes.

However, the class monitor didn't reveal the answer, so they could only suppress their curiosity and continue training. Just as they were training with great enthusiasm, the answer came.

Gao Cheng, accompanied by two soldiers pushing a handcart, went directly to the training ground.

"Comrades, your squad leader has informed you, right? Have you all prepared your backpack straps?"

"Ready." The recruits were puzzled, but out of habit formed over the past month, they answered Gao Cheng's question loudly.

"Okay, that's good. Backpack ropes are standard equipment accessories for our soldiers. Every new recruit is issued one. They can be used easily during training without any extra preparation. They're very convenient."

The backpack straps are elastic and of moderate thickness, easy to tighten and secure after knotting. The inner lining is typically made of nylon or canvas, which is tough, durable, and won't slip when attached to a gun barrel.

Gao Cheng stood in front of the line and spoke eloquently, but the new recruits were completely confused. The backpack rope was good, but what did it have to do with attaching a gun barrel?

"Class leaders, bring your people to collect your bricks. Today is just the beginning, so let's start with something easy for beginners: half a brick each, to get used to it."

Each class leader stepped forward to the handcart, picked out ten half-bricks, and carried them back to their respective classes.

Gao Cheng then ordered, "Alright, each platoon, lead your men and have the new recruits tie the bricks together."

Led by their squad leader, the new recruits spread out for training, and each received a half-brick as a gift from the company commander.

The three platoon leaders each picked up an Type 81 rifle, backpack rope, and half a brick, and prepared to demonstrate the operating procedure in front of the new recruits in their respective platoons. "Everything is here. Watch me operate. Wrap the backpack rope around the front of the barrel 2-3 times."

Be sure to avoid the sights and gas system to prevent damage to the firearm. Tie a tight, non-slip knot to ensure the brick hangs vertically without wobbling or tilting.

The squad leaders circled around the new recruits, personally instructing each soldier on how to tie the bricks together.

Seeing that all the new recruits had tied the bricks to their heads, Gao Cheng, who was at the front of the line, spoke up, "Kneeling position with rifle, your squad leaders have taught you that, right?"

This posture is a semi-supported position, suitable for rapid firing from temporary cover or open areas.

Your class monitor has definitely explained the technique more than once: kneel on one knee, bend the leg with the knee touching the ground at a 90-degree angle, and support your body with the toes of the other leg on the ground.

Keep your upper body straight, grip the handle with your right hand, support the handguard with your left hand, rest the butt on your shoulder, and shift your body weight onto your knees and supporting foot to maintain balance.

Yes, that's it. Hold it for ten minutes. If you can't hold it, do it for an extra five minutes.

There aren't many of these training sessions; it's just an adaptation phase. We'll only practice three or four times a week. Starting next week, we'll switch to whole bricks. I specially asked the logistics department to get you brand new, large red bricks.

Ordinary people don't get this treatment, so you'd better cherish it. Next week, be careful not to break my bricks. Platoon leaders, please keep an eye on things.

"Yes, platoon leader."

The new recruits all wore bitter faces, holding their guns and kneeling in a miserable position. Sure enough, what the company commander said about giving gifts wasn't a good thing.