08-11-2016, 08:26 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-12-2016, 04:32 AM by Sylviekat.
Edit Reason: separate sections better
)
CAT? Not familiar with that. Being a Mustang or what the Empire will call a Pony Girl myself (enlisted gone officer). I have had the pleasure of doing Basic training type things more than once. Regular Basic, AIT (advanced training, granted was in admin so the field time was short), then later ROTC and my Officer's Basic. On top of that my first assignment as a young Lieutenant was in a Reception Battalion or basically the first stop for any new recruit. (I was in charge of the group of Drill Sergeants and others who met the buses and the confused young men and women suffering from severe jet lag and lack of sleep having gone through the MEPS processing all day.)
This will close out year 1. The second year will cover some of the social aspects as a guest of honor will arrive. (The Empire's equivalent of at the time of this story a young MacArthur or Eisenhower)
From Last post...
About midway through the 4th hour, Arlene was still away, Sarjenette Wallace came by to see how things were progressing, Barbara was pulling security at the time. “Trainee Sarjentette Parker, what do you think you are doing?”
Taken aback, all I could stammer out was “Sarjenette?”
“I asked you a question Trainee Sarjenette, oh and you too Trainee Sarjenette Brooks, what seems to be wrong with this picture?”
“Err…” we both stammered, wondering what we did wrong.
“Ah I can see by the glazed expressions that you two dears are clueless, well let me enlighten you first, where is your twins?”
“Er Sarjenette, Barbara er Trainee Foster is in front of the other position pulling security…” “I know that, why aren’t you at your position? And Brooks, where in Soro’s holy name is your twin?”
“Eh, er, she is with Trainee Sarjenette Killbride and Trainee Luchens, our Circle leader called her away.”
“Right, so why are you two young ladies working on this position together, and where are your weapons?”
We pointed to the stacked weapons next to the packs, that were about two feet from the edge of the position we were digging, it was nearly two thirds of the way done, well minus the overhead cover. I then replied lamely, “Sarjenette we thought that by working together we could complete both positions faster, however we did not expect that Trainee Saunders to be gone for so long.”
“You thought, Trainees don’t think Trainee Sarjenette, however in this case you thought correctly in all but three things, first Trainee Saunders should not have been called away until the positions were tenable, not your fault there; 2nd I see you have the flyswatter in operational configuration but no ready round loaded, what good is it unloaded? And 3rd we should be at 25 percent security, not 50 percent so you should have three girls working at each position, also the first position should have been yours, Parker because you have the Circle’s heavy weapon, so I guess I will talk with Trainee Sarjenette Killbride about that, carry on Trainees.” With that she left back the way she came but looking back I could see her talking with Sarjenette Brubaum, who then quickly sprinted down towards the center of our line and started shouting at Trainee Sarjenette Killbride.
We were too far to hear everything but it seems like Miss Perfecto really screwed the pooch. After Brubaum’s tirade was over we heard giggling as Arlene and Elizabeth headed this way. “Hey Angie get Cyndi and Barbie over to the Sorority area, oh and have Cyndi safe that monster, we are on admin time Sarjenette Wallace wants to address the whole gang.”
With that the two of them ran down to Elizabeth’s party. (By this time each party was intimate with its members, hence the use of pet names).
All work was stopped as the entire Sorority minus Miss Tolliver was assembled. Sarjenette Wallace stood with her hands on her hips looking like a mother hen, rather than a senior professional enlisted. We were told to sit down, ground our gear and take off the over blouses and helmets.
“Ok Angels first thing, everyone pull out a ‘teen and drink.” She waited until we all drained one complete vapoteen. “Now I know we had classes on the priorities of work, but it seems you were all asleep during that, so here we go again. First and foremost is getting your positions dug so that they are useable. Right now 2nd Circle has three that qualify and first only has two, and I am not taking about that pit in the middle either.” She pauses and looks critically at the visibly wilting leader of our circle.
Continuing on the senior Sarjenette states “ 2nd is security, while normally more is better, we are at a low threat so 25% or even 10% will work For those of you slow on math, only two or three girls per Circle, not two per Party. 3rd field sustainment, while you are happily working on your field positions, has anyone bothered to figure out where you are going to sleep tonight? I thought not, and finally rest, we need to pull security and maintain this perimeter 24 hours a day people, that means some of you gals will be up during the night, and right now those lucky souls are going to be dog tired. We have eight more hours of useable light to get everything ready, so I highly suggest that the Circle leadership get their heads out of their asses and come up with a duty plan. By 1930 hours tonight I expect to see twelve two-person fighting positions completed with forward and side cover, weapons positions, range cards and aiming stakes along with your bivouac site and duty rosters. If not tonight is going to be a very long night ladies. Now to end on something like a high note, 2nd Circle you are getting there but at this time rather than three positions you should have four or five positions completed. 1st Circle you have some work to do, but everyone after leaving this area you will walk to the extreme right flank and see what a proper fighting position should look like, at this stage, granted it could be a bit deeper, and the side and rear cover a bit thicker but for 4 hour’s of work it is dang good, and meets my minimum requirement. Trainee Sarjenette Brooks well, done, nay strike that 2nd Party well done, Trainee Sarjenette Killbride you will remain back with your twin after I dismiss the rest of the Sorority. Sorority Dismissed!”
Following Sarjenettes Brubaum and Y’veins we headed back towards our positions, upon arrival Brubaum had the Sorority approach one party at a time, with my party standing by. She gave the same spiel to each of the remaining five parties, with minor adjustments to fit the progress of that party.
“Ok you girls are close, but notice how this party has one complete position and one that is useable as a hasty? That is called team work, the whole party worked on one position rather than dividing their limited labor pool and getting two semi-completed positions. I am sure once the rest of this gaggle gets back to their positions this party will begin working on their second position and will complete it in about four hours time. Notice how they have the position at a slight oblique, to cover the flank, and that the forward position has the beginnings of a firing step for the LPLC. That position over laps with the rifle position in the adjacent hole, the split berm in that one is for the Flyswatter, right out of the textbook, and although exposes the front to more direct fire it provides the missile the greatest threat range. The other way would be to create a longer position with an extension for using the missile, but this works well for the scenario given. Now move along to where Sarjenette Y’veins is standing and you will see what not to do, Next party!”
Sure enough after the last party filed through, which consisted of the other pair of our 1st party, Sarjenette Brubaum instructed us to get back to work. We decided that we would have one girl on security, while two worked on the unfinished position and the third started setting up the bivouac area and marking locations for our secondary and alternate positions. The two girls working on the position had their blouses off, as it was getting quite warm and we rotated every 15 minutes, the girl on security went to digging, the girl on bivouac went on security, and one of the diggers rotated out to work on the bivouac. This way each girl still worked 30 minutes digging. We were midway through the 6th hour when Killbride and Harris came to look at the position along with all three Sarjenettes.
“Now Trainee Sarjenettes this is a proper two position party, notice how Trainee Sarjenette Parker is on security while the other three are working on the positions or their bivouac area? I have no idea what you thought you were doing with that huge pit, a party never shares the same hole that is just asking for a grenade or mortar round. If you two expect to keep your stripes by sundown, you will have two positions to standard by my deadline, also you may not use any but your party until the rest of your circle has the other four positions and their bivouacs complete, and you must maintain 25% security, consider this your punishment for wasting the entire morning doing who knows what. Now get out of here!”
Once everyone not in 2nd Party left, we all turned and grinned at each other, however as nice as it was seeing Miss Perfecto being taken down a notch, we also realized that it was our Circle that was now seriously behind. We decided that we should get the bivouac set up as quickly as possible then finish up the position, so one girl stayed working on the position and two worked to get the bivouac area set up. We did that by pairs, so each pair could get their pressure tents assembled and the sleeping bags placed inside along with the packs. That took 30 minutes to complete and then with three working on the last position we had it done in another 30 minutes.
So by hour 7 we were good to go. “Hey Arley!” I yelled, “who wants to stay on security while the rest of us go help out Elizabeth’s group?”
“Oh Cyndi why don’t you or Barbie stay, I had half the morning off listening to our fearless leader ramble.”
“Ok sounds good, hey Angie you take my pea shooter and leave us the Claymore ok?”
“Righto, what is the other one going to do?”
“Oh spell the other and make some improvements to the position I need to get a platform erected for the Flyswatter as well as hollow out a place to put the missiles.”
“Right, oh and I will get the stove out of my pack, so you can start dinner, as you are the best cook Cyndi.”
“Yeah, that’s because my Mother taught me right, now go on girl you know the whole Circle is going to get a HEAT round if we don’t have all the positions completed in five hours.”
Well we completed the positions in time, had a nice hot meal of heated rations and then prepared for the next day. We decided that each party would take a night watch, one pair in their positions for three hours taking 30-minute intervals on sentry. This way the full 6 hour night would be covered and every one getting at least 3 hours of sleep and hour and half of rest. We drew straws to see which party got the 1st night, and so on.
Well we drew the short straw and so I spent most of my first night on the tactical bivouac shivering in my incomplete fighting position, silly me left my poncho back at the bivouac site, so I used Barb’s while she was on sentry, we also had three sensors deployed, one per party covering about 100 meters in front of the defensive line. Tomorrow we will get the overhead cover completed and some sand bags to help reinforce the positions. I was fitfully dozing after my last stint as sentry when Barb shook me awake. “Erhuhh?”
“Shh, quiet Cyn, something is moving out there, see?” she said point to the monitor of one of the sensors, and sure enough I could see movement and humanoid shapes sneaking up towards the center positions.
“Ok cover me, I am going to take a closer look..”
“Ok, be careful.” With that I grabbed my carbine and slithered out on the cold wet ground and went to see what was going on, however before I got beyond twenty meters from the position I felt something cold and hard pressing down on my back.
“And just where do you think you are going Trainee?” Asked Sarjenette Y’veins.
“Er I saw something move down here and went to scout it out, my twin is covering me…”
“Is she… oh I guess she is, damn’t Parker you should know better than leaving the position, luckily for you, you just saw me and Brubaum playing commando, however tomorrow or later today it could be the real deal, never ever leave your position as guess what, Trainee Sarjenette?”
“What Sarjenette?”
“Well first off you are either dead or a POW, and second you just gave away the location of your defensive line, and if you twin dares to fire her weapon she will give away her exact position. Now lesson learned head back to your line, and whichever of you is not on sentry needs to wake the rest of your Circle and stand to.”
The rest of the tactical Bivouac went without any major screw ups, and after a week in the field, dirt, mud and cold rain we returned back to barracks and spent the next day and half cleaning up our field gear. The rest of the cycle was spent going over the lessons learned on the bivouac.
End of year 1: By the end of year 1 we were now a very close group. Only one pair was on the verge of recycling but by the grace of Soro they managed to pull it together. I retained my duties as admin recorder and Barbara was made assistant Sorority Leader, we both held the rank of Trainee Sarjenette. Arlene proved to be the tactical wizard for the whole Sorority, actually tops in the entire convent and was a Trainee Higher Sarjenette. Where Barb and I had two stripes, she had two full stripes and one broken stripe. Heather remained at Trainee Lower Sarjenette, but no one in 1st Circle were Trainee Lower Levels, most being at least Trainee Junior Sarjenettes.
Upon end of the first year we given a three day pass to Ariel, where we wore our shore dress but with undergarments and then began the midsummer course where we were exposed for the first time to all of the branches AIDOF had to offer. Barbara wanted to try out for Aerospace, while I was struck by the sheer might that SAN or the Stellar Assault Navy had to offer. I knew form that moment on I wanted to be in the naval arm. Barbara still wanted Aerospace but she decided to compromise and will try to get a Fleet operations posting, although I knew she had her heart set on the fast Amazon-Warriors. After the summer branch orientation period we were given another short liberty to Ariel and then had to return to Alexis and Sally Ride.
This will close out year 1. The second year will cover some of the social aspects as a guest of honor will arrive. (The Empire's equivalent of at the time of this story a young MacArthur or Eisenhower)
From Last post...
About midway through the 4th hour, Arlene was still away, Sarjenette Wallace came by to see how things were progressing, Barbara was pulling security at the time. “Trainee Sarjentette Parker, what do you think you are doing?”
Taken aback, all I could stammer out was “Sarjenette?”
“I asked you a question Trainee Sarjenette, oh and you too Trainee Sarjenette Brooks, what seems to be wrong with this picture?”
“Err…” we both stammered, wondering what we did wrong.
“Ah I can see by the glazed expressions that you two dears are clueless, well let me enlighten you first, where is your twins?”
“Er Sarjenette, Barbara er Trainee Foster is in front of the other position pulling security…” “I know that, why aren’t you at your position? And Brooks, where in Soro’s holy name is your twin?”
“Eh, er, she is with Trainee Sarjenette Killbride and Trainee Luchens, our Circle leader called her away.”
“Right, so why are you two young ladies working on this position together, and where are your weapons?”
We pointed to the stacked weapons next to the packs, that were about two feet from the edge of the position we were digging, it was nearly two thirds of the way done, well minus the overhead cover. I then replied lamely, “Sarjenette we thought that by working together we could complete both positions faster, however we did not expect that Trainee Saunders to be gone for so long.”
“You thought, Trainees don’t think Trainee Sarjenette, however in this case you thought correctly in all but three things, first Trainee Saunders should not have been called away until the positions were tenable, not your fault there; 2nd I see you have the flyswatter in operational configuration but no ready round loaded, what good is it unloaded? And 3rd we should be at 25 percent security, not 50 percent so you should have three girls working at each position, also the first position should have been yours, Parker because you have the Circle’s heavy weapon, so I guess I will talk with Trainee Sarjenette Killbride about that, carry on Trainees.” With that she left back the way she came but looking back I could see her talking with Sarjenette Brubaum, who then quickly sprinted down towards the center of our line and started shouting at Trainee Sarjenette Killbride.
We were too far to hear everything but it seems like Miss Perfecto really screwed the pooch. After Brubaum’s tirade was over we heard giggling as Arlene and Elizabeth headed this way. “Hey Angie get Cyndi and Barbie over to the Sorority area, oh and have Cyndi safe that monster, we are on admin time Sarjenette Wallace wants to address the whole gang.”
With that the two of them ran down to Elizabeth’s party. (By this time each party was intimate with its members, hence the use of pet names).
All work was stopped as the entire Sorority minus Miss Tolliver was assembled. Sarjenette Wallace stood with her hands on her hips looking like a mother hen, rather than a senior professional enlisted. We were told to sit down, ground our gear and take off the over blouses and helmets.
“Ok Angels first thing, everyone pull out a ‘teen and drink.” She waited until we all drained one complete vapoteen. “Now I know we had classes on the priorities of work, but it seems you were all asleep during that, so here we go again. First and foremost is getting your positions dug so that they are useable. Right now 2nd Circle has three that qualify and first only has two, and I am not taking about that pit in the middle either.” She pauses and looks critically at the visibly wilting leader of our circle.
Continuing on the senior Sarjenette states “ 2nd is security, while normally more is better, we are at a low threat so 25% or even 10% will work For those of you slow on math, only two or three girls per Circle, not two per Party. 3rd field sustainment, while you are happily working on your field positions, has anyone bothered to figure out where you are going to sleep tonight? I thought not, and finally rest, we need to pull security and maintain this perimeter 24 hours a day people, that means some of you gals will be up during the night, and right now those lucky souls are going to be dog tired. We have eight more hours of useable light to get everything ready, so I highly suggest that the Circle leadership get their heads out of their asses and come up with a duty plan. By 1930 hours tonight I expect to see twelve two-person fighting positions completed with forward and side cover, weapons positions, range cards and aiming stakes along with your bivouac site and duty rosters. If not tonight is going to be a very long night ladies. Now to end on something like a high note, 2nd Circle you are getting there but at this time rather than three positions you should have four or five positions completed. 1st Circle you have some work to do, but everyone after leaving this area you will walk to the extreme right flank and see what a proper fighting position should look like, at this stage, granted it could be a bit deeper, and the side and rear cover a bit thicker but for 4 hour’s of work it is dang good, and meets my minimum requirement. Trainee Sarjenette Brooks well, done, nay strike that 2nd Party well done, Trainee Sarjenette Killbride you will remain back with your twin after I dismiss the rest of the Sorority. Sorority Dismissed!”
Following Sarjenettes Brubaum and Y’veins we headed back towards our positions, upon arrival Brubaum had the Sorority approach one party at a time, with my party standing by. She gave the same spiel to each of the remaining five parties, with minor adjustments to fit the progress of that party.
“Ok you girls are close, but notice how this party has one complete position and one that is useable as a hasty? That is called team work, the whole party worked on one position rather than dividing their limited labor pool and getting two semi-completed positions. I am sure once the rest of this gaggle gets back to their positions this party will begin working on their second position and will complete it in about four hours time. Notice how they have the position at a slight oblique, to cover the flank, and that the forward position has the beginnings of a firing step for the LPLC. That position over laps with the rifle position in the adjacent hole, the split berm in that one is for the Flyswatter, right out of the textbook, and although exposes the front to more direct fire it provides the missile the greatest threat range. The other way would be to create a longer position with an extension for using the missile, but this works well for the scenario given. Now move along to where Sarjenette Y’veins is standing and you will see what not to do, Next party!”
Sure enough after the last party filed through, which consisted of the other pair of our 1st party, Sarjenette Brubaum instructed us to get back to work. We decided that we would have one girl on security, while two worked on the unfinished position and the third started setting up the bivouac area and marking locations for our secondary and alternate positions. The two girls working on the position had their blouses off, as it was getting quite warm and we rotated every 15 minutes, the girl on security went to digging, the girl on bivouac went on security, and one of the diggers rotated out to work on the bivouac. This way each girl still worked 30 minutes digging. We were midway through the 6th hour when Killbride and Harris came to look at the position along with all three Sarjenettes.
“Now Trainee Sarjenettes this is a proper two position party, notice how Trainee Sarjenette Parker is on security while the other three are working on the positions or their bivouac area? I have no idea what you thought you were doing with that huge pit, a party never shares the same hole that is just asking for a grenade or mortar round. If you two expect to keep your stripes by sundown, you will have two positions to standard by my deadline, also you may not use any but your party until the rest of your circle has the other four positions and their bivouacs complete, and you must maintain 25% security, consider this your punishment for wasting the entire morning doing who knows what. Now get out of here!”
Once everyone not in 2nd Party left, we all turned and grinned at each other, however as nice as it was seeing Miss Perfecto being taken down a notch, we also realized that it was our Circle that was now seriously behind. We decided that we should get the bivouac set up as quickly as possible then finish up the position, so one girl stayed working on the position and two worked to get the bivouac area set up. We did that by pairs, so each pair could get their pressure tents assembled and the sleeping bags placed inside along with the packs. That took 30 minutes to complete and then with three working on the last position we had it done in another 30 minutes.
So by hour 7 we were good to go. “Hey Arley!” I yelled, “who wants to stay on security while the rest of us go help out Elizabeth’s group?”
“Oh Cyndi why don’t you or Barbie stay, I had half the morning off listening to our fearless leader ramble.”
“Ok sounds good, hey Angie you take my pea shooter and leave us the Claymore ok?”
“Righto, what is the other one going to do?”
“Oh spell the other and make some improvements to the position I need to get a platform erected for the Flyswatter as well as hollow out a place to put the missiles.”
“Right, oh and I will get the stove out of my pack, so you can start dinner, as you are the best cook Cyndi.”
“Yeah, that’s because my Mother taught me right, now go on girl you know the whole Circle is going to get a HEAT round if we don’t have all the positions completed in five hours.”
Well we completed the positions in time, had a nice hot meal of heated rations and then prepared for the next day. We decided that each party would take a night watch, one pair in their positions for three hours taking 30-minute intervals on sentry. This way the full 6 hour night would be covered and every one getting at least 3 hours of sleep and hour and half of rest. We drew straws to see which party got the 1st night, and so on.
Well we drew the short straw and so I spent most of my first night on the tactical bivouac shivering in my incomplete fighting position, silly me left my poncho back at the bivouac site, so I used Barb’s while she was on sentry, we also had three sensors deployed, one per party covering about 100 meters in front of the defensive line. Tomorrow we will get the overhead cover completed and some sand bags to help reinforce the positions. I was fitfully dozing after my last stint as sentry when Barb shook me awake. “Erhuhh?”
“Shh, quiet Cyn, something is moving out there, see?” she said point to the monitor of one of the sensors, and sure enough I could see movement and humanoid shapes sneaking up towards the center positions.
“Ok cover me, I am going to take a closer look..”
“Ok, be careful.” With that I grabbed my carbine and slithered out on the cold wet ground and went to see what was going on, however before I got beyond twenty meters from the position I felt something cold and hard pressing down on my back.
“And just where do you think you are going Trainee?” Asked Sarjenette Y’veins.
“Er I saw something move down here and went to scout it out, my twin is covering me…”
“Is she… oh I guess she is, damn’t Parker you should know better than leaving the position, luckily for you, you just saw me and Brubaum playing commando, however tomorrow or later today it could be the real deal, never ever leave your position as guess what, Trainee Sarjenette?”
“What Sarjenette?”
“Well first off you are either dead or a POW, and second you just gave away the location of your defensive line, and if you twin dares to fire her weapon she will give away her exact position. Now lesson learned head back to your line, and whichever of you is not on sentry needs to wake the rest of your Circle and stand to.”
The rest of the tactical Bivouac went without any major screw ups, and after a week in the field, dirt, mud and cold rain we returned back to barracks and spent the next day and half cleaning up our field gear. The rest of the cycle was spent going over the lessons learned on the bivouac.
End of year 1: By the end of year 1 we were now a very close group. Only one pair was on the verge of recycling but by the grace of Soro they managed to pull it together. I retained my duties as admin recorder and Barbara was made assistant Sorority Leader, we both held the rank of Trainee Sarjenette. Arlene proved to be the tactical wizard for the whole Sorority, actually tops in the entire convent and was a Trainee Higher Sarjenette. Where Barb and I had two stripes, she had two full stripes and one broken stripe. Heather remained at Trainee Lower Sarjenette, but no one in 1st Circle were Trainee Lower Levels, most being at least Trainee Junior Sarjenettes.
Upon end of the first year we given a three day pass to Ariel, where we wore our shore dress but with undergarments and then began the midsummer course where we were exposed for the first time to all of the branches AIDOF had to offer. Barbara wanted to try out for Aerospace, while I was struck by the sheer might that SAN or the Stellar Assault Navy had to offer. I knew form that moment on I wanted to be in the naval arm. Barbara still wanted Aerospace but she decided to compromise and will try to get a Fleet operations posting, although I knew she had her heart set on the fast Amazon-Warriors. After the summer branch orientation period we were given another short liberty to Ariel and then had to return to Alexis and Sally Ride.