Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

Shortly after the reconnaissance squad infiltrated, a red signal flare rose into the sky, and a call came over the radio: "Under attack! Calling for vehicle support! Location: 41°09′N, 112°26′E, requesting backup!"

"701, 702, 703, full speed ahead, position 41°09′N, 112°26′E, red signal flare."

"Cart 712, prepare for artillery fire."

As Zhang Anbang gave the order, three armored vehicles rumbled across the ground like a roaring beast, charging forward.

The 712 vehicle had its side armor opened, and the muzzles of the two 82mm mortars had been marked with their positions, while the 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun on the roof was also being adjusted.

"Reconnaissance squad, retreat immediately to the ditch on the left; vehicle crew, flank on the right, use smoke grenades for cover."

As the order was given, the three vehicle crews, along with the Type 84 76mm smoke grenade launchers on both sides of the turret, fired 24 smoke grenades in a single volley, quickly creating a thick smoke wall within ten seconds to cover the reconnaissance squad's retreat.

"Calling Guandongdong, the reconnaissance squad has withdrawn to the observation position."

"Calling 'Guaiyiliang', target coordinates: X35681, Y194757, enemy machine gun nest! Requesting a test firing of 82mm mortar rounds."

Thump—

Thump—

Each of the two 82mm mortars fired a shell, producing a low, muffled sound. This was a blank shell used in the exercise, without a live projectile, and the amount of propellant was reduced by half.

After firing, a cloud of grayish-white smoke will emerge from the muzzle, but it spreads more slowly than a live bullet, and it doesn't make the whooshing sound of a live bullet as it flies through the air.

These blank rounds used in exercises have only a small amount of counterweight or plastic plugs. They make almost no noise while flying in the air, and when they land, they make a soft "plop" or "thud" sound, similar to the sound of a basketball hitting the ground.

If it lands on grass, the sound will be more muffled, and in a slightly chaotic environment, it will be almost impossible to hear.

In a live-fire exercise between the two sides, the goal is to see the smoke at the point of impact. Once that's visible, it's clear that artillery fire has reached the target area, and then the charge begins. After all, the core function of blank rounds is to simulate battlefield sound effects and mark tactical areas.

This is a simulated exercise, and only they are actual troops. Blue represents the pre-set enemy situation. They need to check if the smoke is coming from the correct location to know if the 82mm mortar fire support has hit the target.

"Target number one, initial group coverage! Firing effective fire!"

Thump—

Thump—

Thump—

Thump—

Several more shells flew out.

……

With precise artillery fire, the simulated blue force machine gun nest was completely destroyed, and the third phase of training ended.

"Take a one-hour break, have a meal, and then move to another location for the fourth phase: combat skills enhancement training."

As the rest period ended and morning arrived, a dozen vehicles rumbled into the firing range.

Although it's called a firing range, it's actually just a large open area. It's an armored vehicle firing range, and the ground is covered with crisscrossing track marks.

Although it was still early, some tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were already moving around in the open area. As a crack unit, how could the 702nd Company, with only two old men from the 7th Company, be out practicing so early?

There are sixteen company commanders, which means there are sixteen "old sixes" (a derogatory term for someone who is considered "old" or "sixth" in their rank), except that the "oldest" one is in the seventh company.

As the tracks rolled over, they kicked up layers of loose soil, making the area gray and hazy, perfectly matching the saying, "Armored soldiers have it tough; they eat half a pound of dirt a day, and if they don't eat enough in the morning, they have to make up for it in the afternoon."

As the armored vehicles of the 7th Company entered the firing range one by one, the firing ports on the top of the armored vehicles opened, and the soldiers inside crawled out of the firing ports, and the dull gunfire of the August 1st rifle rang out.

"Steel Pillar, what did I tell you? Stick the gun out a little bit, the spent cartridge is about to hit your comrade's face. Are you asking for trouble? This thing is really hot."

Xiao Wenwu glanced at the steel pillar beside him and couldn't help but speak up.

Steel Pillar scratched his head. "Squad leader, I know! Next time I'll definitely hold the gun further away!"

This combat posture, with half of the body exposed on the roof, is a common tactical maneuver for armored infantry in low-threat environments around the turn of the millennium.

It is mainly used for troop reconnaissance and battlefield observation, as well as fire support during slow advances.

Its advantages and disadvantages are both obvious. It has a wide field of vision and quick reaction. The squad leader or platoon leader who leans out can communicate directly with the vehicle commander and also give orders to the infantrymen accompanying the vehicle.

The downside is the lack of armor protection. If it encounters enemy machine guns, sniper rifles, or rocket launchers, the risk of injury or death is very high, and it's basically over.

This method was a last resort due to insufficient equipment performance. After the 10th, the newly equipped infantry fighting vehicles had remote weapon stations and panoramic observation and aiming systems, so this method was phased out and was only used for disaster relief or patrols.

As the armored vehicles rolled back and forth over the ravaged land, the soldiers of the Seventh Company ate half a pound of dirt in less than a day, and the shooting mission was considered complete.

At Gao Cheng's command, twelve vehicles roared out of the firing range and headed towards the infantry firing range.

The next event is light weapons shooting and individual combat.

Light weapons shooting, 100-meter fixed target with chest ring, 30 bullets per person. Normally, 180 rings is considered a few, 210 rings is good, and 240 rings is excellent.

However, this is the Steel Seventh Company, and the standards are higher than other companies. Here, 200 rings is considered passing, 230 rings is good, and 260 rings or more is considered excellent.

……

"Squad leader, I heard from the veterans that this magazine is prone to jamming when it's full of thirty bullets. Is that true?" Gangzhu asked while loading the bullets.

"Liao Rongyi?" Xiao Wenwu didn't understand the word, but he understood the sentence.

"Steel Pillar, try to speak Mandarin as much as possible in the future."

"Yes, class monitor, I know," Gangzhu obediently agreed, but judging from this answer, whether he agreed or not didn't really matter.

Xiao Wenwu was also a little helpless. He would correct it slowly. "The main reason why our Type 81 rifle jams is the magazine, maintenance, human error, and environmental factors."

Regarding the magazine, if it is carried with 30 rounds full for a long time, the spring will be under continuous overload. After the elasticity fatigues, it will be unable to push the bullets, and the bullets will not be able to enter the chamber smoothly during feeding, directly causing jamming.

Deformation or buildup of dirt in the magazine catch mouth can cause the magazine to deform, increasing friction when the bullet is chambered and potentially causing it to jam.

Another issue is that if the loading process is too rough, the bullets may not be neatly arranged in the magazine, or old rounds may be mixed in, which can easily cause the magazine to jam during feeding. Do you understand?

"I know, class monitor. What are the other two reasons?"

Xiao Wenwu smiled and slowly loaded the bullet while saying, "Our Type 81 gun uses a gas-operated automatic principle, where the propellant gas drives the bolt to reciprocate to complete loading and ejection."

If maintenance is inadequate, the bolt may not recoil properly, resulting in either a failed ejection of the spent cartridge or an incomplete chambering, ultimately leading to a jam.

Improper use of gun oil is also a problem; it should be applied in small amounts multiple times, in a thin and even coat.

Human factors such as unstable shooting position, severe muzzle climb, incomplete bolt return, excessive trigger pull during burst fire, loss of rate of fire, and disruption of bolt movement rhythm can all easily cause jamming.

Finally, in harsh environments, dust and mud can easily enter the gun's interior, clogging components and corroding springs. This is why our jamming rate during field training is higher than at the firing range.

"I know, class monitor, you're absolutely amazing!" Gangzhu stared at Xiao Wenwu with wide eyes.

"Ah, this, this, it's just so-so, just so-so. You know you need to learn more." Looking into Gangzhu's sincere eyes, Xiao Wenwu suddenly realized that this honest man's praise was actually quite pleasant.

……

The fixed target shooting session ended with good results. All soldiers, including new recruits, scored above the passing grade set by the Seventh Steel Company itself, with more than half scoring above the good grade.

There were a few outstanding ones, apart from the veteran excellent shooters in each class, there was also Cheng Cai, a new recruit who scored 285 rings.

Next, at the 100-meter target practice, Gao Cheng became interested. "Xiao Qi, want to give it a try?"

Zhang Anbang smiled and said, "Sure, are you coming?"

"Then let's have a competition."

This concealed target is different from a fixed target; it is an electromechanical reciprocating target machine. The concealment time from when the target stands up to when it falls can be adjusted between 2 and 6 seconds.

The target reveal and concealment time for the Seventh Company is not specific. The target reveal time is 3 to 5 seconds, and the target concealment time is 2 to 6 seconds. It is all random, which tests the ability to aim quickly and shoot quickly.

The results of this subject have never been very good. Not only for Chengcai, but also for the subjects that were originally scheduled to be visible at fixed times, there were quite a few students who achieved good results.

After Zhang Anbang modified the program and made the display and disappearance time random, the soldiers of the Seventh Company's scores dropped. Gao Cheng gladly accepted this decline, as it showed that the soldiers still had room for improvement.

With a whistle from Wu Liuyi, the generator at the target trench was activated.

Zhang Anbang and Gao Cheng stood on the firing line, their rifle butts pressed tightly against their right shoulder sockets. Both of them were using the standing, unsupported firing position, which is twice as difficult as the prone position and tests the shooter's arm strength and shooting stability the most.

The target in the distance bounced up with a snap, and two muffled thuds from the Type 81 pistols rang out simultaneously, thud, thud!

In the blink of an eye, the target fell down, only to rise again very quickly.

The soldiers of the Seventh Company watched as their company commander and deputy company commander stood there motionless, aiming and firing.

Soon, more than a dozen shots were fired. Gao Cheng missed the target with one shot, while Zhang Anbang remained as steady as a rock.

……