Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

Commander Chen smiled and said, "This humble demeanor is a bit unlike your usual behavior. However, it's good that you two know not to get carried away with your achievements at your age."

"Alright, the plan is here. You two go back and get busy. We'll let you know how things go later."

"Yes, Commander, then we'll head back now."

The two men stood up, gave a standard military salute, and turned to leave the office.

At the corner of the T Division's main office building, Gao Cheng found a big tree and squatted down in its shade. He turned to Zhang Anbang and said, "Anbang, how's it going? Are you confident? Let me tell you, this opportunity is really good."

Zhang Anbang took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed one to Gao Cheng. "Company Commander, don't just talk about me. What about you? How's the plan coming along? Just like you said, this opportunity is indeed very good."

Gao Cheng looked at the familiar cigarette pack, took the cigarette, lit it, and said, "Damn, Xiao Zhang, you didn't just smuggle the cigarettes meant for the division commander, did you? You're not short of cigarettes, are you?"

Zhang Anbang shook his head like a rattle-drum, "Company Commander, don't be silly. Why would I take the division commander's cigarettes? I took them from Deputy Division Commander Li's office a couple of days ago. As for where his cigarettes came from, I have no idea."

"Hey, Company Commander, let's not talk about that now. Let's talk about the plan. What are your thoughts?"

Gao Cheng exhaled a puff of smoke. "What are you thinking? The opportunity is great, but I'm still a bit lacking. I've learned information technology and digitalization fairly well, but I can't use them as well as you guys who have formal training."

If you gave me an armored battalion or a tank battalion right now, I definitely wouldn't have any problem commanding it. But I'm not confident in digitization, especially since this is the army group's latest pilot project. I'm not prepared to take it on.

It's not that I'm afraid of taking responsibility, it's that I know I'm not doing a good job yet. At most, in another year or so, I'll be able to fully grasp the digital and information-based command and control system.

For now, I'm going to stick to my job in my armored reconnaissance battalion and learn as much as I can.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Anbang paused, his fingers holding a cigarette, and said with a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Company Commander, you really are very composed. This pilot project is clearly of great importance to the military."

Countless battalion and company commanders are eyeing this position, because whoever takes it and performs reasonably well will benefit from the pilot program's achievements. But you, you're just pushing it away.

Gao Cheng leaned against the tree trunk, looking up at the office building not far away, his expression calm. "What's the use of robbing? You know the cadre department only recommended three people. Do you think they can just snatch it away?"

The pilot program is not a performance; it's a real-world exploration of new tactics and new approaches. My expertise is in armored reconnaissance, and I'm very familiar with traditional tactics.

But this entirely new thing, from intelligence analysis and electronic countermeasures coordination to module grouping, has new rules everywhere. My current half-baked skills, if I try to take on the task, it's not daring, it's showing off, and it will make things worse.

"Company Commander, your awareness is truly remarkable," Zhang Anbang nodded and said solemnly, "Our army group already had a pilot project, although it wasn't very successful, it was indeed more effective than a typical battalion."

Although there is still a lot of room for improvement due to hardware limitations, the general direction is not a big problem.

This pilot program is being conducted to validate and compete with each other, to see if any new models can be discovered. The margin for error is extremely low; success means instant success, while failure can delay progress by several years.

Gao Cheng stubbed out his cigarette, turned to look at Zhang Anbang, and said, "That's right, the margin for error is very low, so I'll just stay in the division's reconnaissance battalion for now."

Once I've thoroughly mastered the information technology equipment and become proficient in synthesis and collaboration, there will naturally be more opportunities in the future.

Moreover, I estimate that once the combined arms battalion model is fully understood, there will be another major reform across the entire army, and our traditional old model will probably be gone forever.

Now that we've reached the battalion-level pilot program, future battalions will gradually adopt this model. Compared to other battalion and company commanders, I've already started much earlier.

By the way, if I encounter any digitization or compositing problems I don't understand in the future, you'll have to teach me the same way you taught me about information technology.

"Company Commander, you're right to say that. Of course I have to teach you. You taught me everything I know about training soldiers and armored vehicle command. How could I possibly keep anything from you? If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."

We can talk on the phone or in person; we live close by anyway.

"Hmm," Gao Cheng nodded. "Anbang, you have formal training, so I estimate you have a high chance of getting into the pilot program this time. What do you think? Are you confident?"

Zhang Anbang smiled and said, "To say you have everything under control is just bragging. But once you get to the top, I'm about 60-70% sure. I've already figured out the general approach, and it's all written in the plan."

Now we just wait for news, and also to see how determined and supportive the leaders are.

This wasn't just him bragging. Although he was a lowly soldier in his previous life, he was still a soldier in a company under a combined arms battalion, so he had some experience and knowledge.

As the old saying goes, even if you haven't eaten pork, you've at least seen a pig run. He's seen pigs run and has also tasted pork, so naturally he has a certain level of confidence.

Hearing this, Gao Cheng laughed. "I know you too well. When you're 80 or 90% sure, you're only 60 or 70%. It seems you've really got this figured out. Alright, let's go back. I need to head back to camp too."

Zhang Anbang was taken aback for a moment. "Ah, Company Commander, you're leaving already?"

Gao Cheng looked at him with suspicion. "Of course I'm leaving. If I don't leave, am I supposed to spend the New Year here with you? Besides, it's still a little past dinner time. It would be too early for me to finish eating here."

"No, no, Company Commander, I didn't mean to ask you to stay for dinner. What I meant was, is there something you forgot to say, something you didn't explain?"

Gao Cheng frowned in confusion. "No, just say what you want to say. Don't beat around the bush with me. You know I don't like that."

Zhang Anbang quickly spoke up, "Company Commander, how can you not offer anything? You haven't even expressed your opinion yet. If I become the company commander and need any help, you'll have to do something to support me."

Gao Cheng snorted coldly, "Get lost, what do you want from me now? Let me tell you, don't even think about it, there's nothing there. Get lost, keep dreaming."

After saying that, Gao Cheng threw his cigarette butt into the trash can next to him, turned around, quickly got into his car, and sped off.

Watching the jeep speed away, Zhang Anbang blinked and asked in confusion, "No, this isn't right. It wasn't like this before. The company commander has become smarter."

No, we can't give up. The reconnaissance battalion has so many talented people, how can he possibly use them all? I, as his good brother, have to find a way to help him share the burden. Sigh, I really am too kind-hearted.