Both men walked back to the formation a littlestunned. Ryan didn't want to be squad leader, and Justin was pissedthat Ryan was squad leader.
“RIGHT FACE!” Drill Sergeant Grabowski called.The platoon turned as one. “Forward, MARCH!”
They started on their left and began to marchacross the quad.
On the second step Phillip began to call thecadence.“Momma, momma, can't you see what the Army's done tome.”His voice was powerful. It sent scary chills down Ryan'sarms. It carried way over their formation and into others. Ryanbelieved that Phillip 's voice was better for calling cadence thanany drill Sergeant's voice on the post. He wanted to look aroundand see what others felt when they heard their senior DrillSergeant calling the cadence, but didn't.
Instead he just answered back, the way he'd beentaught.
“Momma, momma, can't you see what the Army'sdone to me.” Every voice rose as they echoed the drill's call.
It was a beautiful thing to hear all thosevoices join as one. It was loud and proud. Their flag was beingcarried in front, proclaiming all who saw them to be C3/10. TheyWANTED people to know who they were.
“Momma, momma, can't you see what the Army'sdone to me,”Phillip repeated. Yeah, Ryan could easily listento the man call cadences all day long.
“Momma, momma, can't you see what the Army'sdone to me.”
“They took away my faded jeans. Now I'mwearing Army greens.”
Ryan was seriously starting to question hissanity. He really..reallywanted to hear that voicewhispering extremely dirty things to him.
“They took away my faded jeans. Now I'm wearingArmy greens.”
When they got to the chow hall, they weredismissed and filed in, swiping their soft caps off their heads asthey entered the building for breakfast.
***
After morning chow, they were marched to thearmory. They were finally getting their M16s. Everyone was giddyabout that fact. They had spent the first two weeks in class roomslearning everything under the sun. They learned military protocol,the correct way to tell time and the Army alphabet.
It seemed the Army had a new way to doeverything. Ryan had some trouble with the whole twenty-four hourclock but with Patrick's help he had it nailed perfectly. Brendonhad a bitch of a time with the ranks but with Ryan's help he caughtup. Patrick had problems with the PT test but Brendon and Kennethhad helped him with that. They found they could do damn nearanything as long as they all worked together. Even Grabowskicomplimented them on their teamwork. Justin had dropped out, rightafter he had been stripped off his squad.
But now they were on their way to pick up theirweapons and every man was damn excited about it. When they reachedthe place, King stopped them and Connelly strolled into the dirtygray building.
He came out with an M16 and stood before them.“This, Privates, is the most important part of your uniform. You'llfucking sleep with it, eat with it and shit with it. It is calledyour weapon. Not your piece and if I hear any one of youmotherfuckers calling it a gun, I'll kick your fucking ass so fastit will make your momma's head swim.” He grabbed his crotch andsaid, “This is my fucking gun.” Then he held the M16 up. “This ismy motherfucking weapon. Got it?”
Everyone answered in affirmation. They marchedsingle file into the building. As they came out each man had a hugesmile on his face. They were gonna get to shoot something!
Ryan carried his M16 out with his cleaning kitand sighed happily. He actually felt like a soldier now. Patrickcame out behind him.
“I have a gun! No one would believe this backhome.” Patrick laughed. It died on his lips when he heard anunearthly boom.
“GUN?!”
“Fuck.” Patrick's smile fell as he turnedslowly. Standing five feet away, Drill Sergeant Connelly lookeddownright murderous.
“Sorry, Drill Sergeant Connelly. My weapon, Ihave a weapon.”
That didn't please Connelly, not one bit. Hisbrownroundcame dangerously close to thetop of Patrick's head. “What in the fuck did I say about yourfucking weapon?”
“It's a weapon, not my gun, Drill SergeantConnelly!”
“That's right. Turn and face your platoon!”
Ryan didn't even want to know what was going tohappen now.
Drill Sergeant Connelly leaned close to Patrickand Ryan could see Patrick's eyes widen.
He didn't have to wait long to see what Connellywas going to do with Patrick.
