"All Things Have A Beginning"

Firebase Alpha, Afghanistan

Pvt. James Ramirez

March 27, 2016 14:32:04

He walked in the barracks. There, he saw soldiers. His new comrades.

"Hey, you the new replacement?"

He turned around. He saw a soldier, maybe 20-something, half-grinning at him. He was wearing an olive green shirt and his ACU combat pants were a bit dirty. 'He had been in combat before,' Ramirez thought.

The staring session lasted for three seconds before he replied. " is 2nd platoon?"The soldier reached his hand out to him. "Yeah.I'm Michael Dunn. Everyone calls me Mike or just Dunn though," Ramirez took the hand and shook it. "James Ramirez." "There's a bunk over at the far left. You can take it."

As he walked to his bunk, another soldier, this time African-American, spoke out."You must be the new replacement, right?" "Yes sir." "Name and rank?" "Ramirez, James, Private.".He stood up and moved over to him. "Well, since you're a Ranger now, I want no screw ups, especially from replacements like you, understood?" "Sir," "I'm Sergeant Jack Foley, Commander of Hunter 2-1, your new unit. Welcome to hell. Dismissed,"

He moved over to his bunk, set up his equipment and lied down. Another soldier from the bunk next to him sat up and faced him. "Hi Ramirez," "Hi, how did you-" "Heard the conversation. So, where are from?" "Rhode Island," "Ah yes...How'd you got into here, anyway?" "Completed Ranger School, obviously," "Why the Army?" 'Oh God this guy's a loudmouth...'Ramirez thought. "Well, my grandpa's a paratrooper back in World War 2, and my dad fought in ' died when I was 16, and before that he wanted me to go into service. So here I am." "Sorry 'bout your gramps and dad man...wait, you said your gramps was a paratrooper? Which unit?" "Easy Company, 506th PIR,"

"WHAAT?Your grandpa's in the Band of Brothers?My gramps is in the 505th, 82nd Airborne!We're the same!"

Ramirez swore the barracks were shaking. All eyes turned on the Ranger. "I saw the miniseries back in '07 and I saw your gramps a few times, but I never knew I would see you, his grandson, and right in front of my eyes!" "So what's your name?"Ramirez tried to go off topic. "Cpl. James Smitty."

"Nice to meet 'ya man," and they shook hands.

As he lied back down, there's only one thought in his head, 'This is gonna be a long time of service for me..."

19:10:54

The troops of the 75th Ranger Regiment lined up in the mess hall. Ramirez took his meal and started searching for a seat.

"Ramirez!"

He turned 120 degrees to find Smitty and the rest of Hunter 2-1. He sat and this time, it was HIS turn to ask. "Can I... know your names? Just for extra lulz, that's all."One trooper to the left of Foley who was opposite to him spoke. "Darrell Donovan," "Thomas Morgan, "another to his left said. "Joseph Allen," the one next to Morgan spoke. "And there you go, everyone in Hunter 2-1,"Smitty said.

"So, where your lulz?" shouted Donovan. And all gave a light laugh. "Well, there is it," says Ramirez with a choked voice. "How old are you guys?" added Ramirez. "25," says Foley, "21," added Morgan, Darrell gave another piece of info for Ramirez. "18,", Allen gave his as listed his age as finally, there's Smitty, who gave his as 20.

"So what's your age, Ramirez?"

"19."

"Hey, how about we just dig in, OK?My tank's empty," screamed Dunn.

"Oooh, someone's on his period..." joked Allen.

"Shut up. "Replied Dunn before eating his meal.

"Weak response, "Allen shot back.

But Dunn ignored him and continued to chew on his meal.

Authors note: Each time I upload a chapter there will be some missing words. So sorry for that :(.And this chapter's a bit cheesy, I know...)