Benning was a slice of heaven compared to Croft.
Winters and Holly left Croft on the 6th of April and journeyed by train to Benning. They arrived on the 7th, shortly after ten at night. Though, the camp wasn't dark. It was lit up by street lamps, which were placed on sidewalks. Fort Benning was an actual city, with large brick buildings, modern furniture and great facilities. After being processed, Holly, Winters and other hopeful officers were placed in a very roomy brick barrack. Most of the men were tired from the journey to Benning but for the men who had already arrived earlier that day, they were still up and very much awake.
No one greeted Holly and Winters. The men inside the barrack weren't happy to be sharing with a couple of Corporals who had only been in the army for six months. Over half of the men inside their barrack was Sargent's, who had spent years building up their rank. And they looked down on Winters and Holly. Though, the couple didn't care. They had each other.
Finding a bed near the back of the room, Holly put her duffel bag down on a bed.
The other men were introducing themselves, in a very polite manner.
Raising her eyebrow, she whispered to Winters;
"didn't know these lads were royalty, Dick".
He snorted;
"stop it".
Shaking her head, she added;
"who do they think they are?"
"The next King of England". A man in the bed next to Winters said.
Frowning a little, the couple looked over at the mysterious man.
He was lying down, eyes closed, with a smile on his lips;
"they also love to shove their faces in the brasses ass. So, you're 'gonna smell a lot of assholes in this barrack".
Winters pulled an amused face;
"and you're not one of them?"
The young man snorted;
"hell no". He mumbled, "I'm too clever to follow the sheep".
Sighing he then added;
"they all think they're so damn privileged to be here. Its why we don't get along".
Rubbing her lips, Holly said;
"maybe you don't get along because you talk shit about them".
The young man's smile widened.
Opening his eyes, he sat up;
"yeah…that could be another valid reason". He said, "it's a shame. I'm a great friend".
Clearing his throat, Winters asked;
"so, why are you here?"
The man shrugged;
"I 'wanna see more of the world". He told him, "but I 'wanna have a lot of money while I do that".
Holly felt herself smile;
"well, at least you're honest, eh?"
Reaching into his pocket, he brought out a pack of cigarettes;
"either of you smoke?"
"No, we don't". Winters replied.
"Well, I do". He said, "like a damn chimney".
After lighting his cigarette, he reached his hand out towards Winters;
"I'm Lewis Nixon. From New Jersey".
"Dick Winters". He said, shaking Nixon's hand, "New Jersey, huh?"
"Yup". Nixon replied, before nodding towards Holly.
She sat beside Winters and shook Nixon's hand next;
"Holly Duffy".
He snorted;
"God, really?" Nixon questioned, "the war heroes' daughter, huh?"
"Yeah".
"Is that why they let you in?"
Frowning, Holly let go of the handshake;
"no, you arse. I got in 'cause I passed the test and made a good Candidate".
Nixon grinned;
"hey…good for you, Holly".
He then asked;
"where are you from?"
"We're both from Lancaster". Winters replied.
"I moved there when I was sixteen". Holly added, "lived in Glasgow before".
Frowning, she then asked;
"why does Nixon sound familiar?"
"I was just about to mention that". Winters added, "I'm sure I've heard your last name before, Lewis".
Smirking, Nixon said;
"well, it wouldn't have been from me. Probably my father, or Grandfather. My father is the Vice President of Nixon-"
"Nitration Works". Holly finished, "yeah…I've heard about that place and its disaster".
Clearing his throat, Nixon said;
"yeah…it was a bit of a disaster".
"A bit?" Holly mumbled, "mate, that disaster claimed twenty lives-"
"and destroyed forty buildings". Winters pointed out.
Sighing, Nixon said;
"well…it's a highly flammable place, you know? It was bound to happen one day".
"Your dad and Grandad weren't around that day, eh?" Holly said, "that was lucky".
Nodding slowly, Nixon mumbled;
"yup – really lucky".
Winters decided to change the subject;
"what college were you at, Lewis?"
"Yale". Nixon replied, "and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology".
Holly raised an eyebrow;
"that's impressive".
Nixon shrugged;
"no, it just sounds impressive".
Holly smirked;
"so, any old Joe could walk in and study technology, mate?"
Nixon smirked back;
"why the hell not".
He then nodded towards Winters;
"where'd you study, Dick?"
"Franklin and Marshall". Winters replied.
"What about you, Holly?"
Holly shook her head;
"I didn't". She said, "I worked at the vets".
Nixon raised an eyebrow;
"no college education, huh? They must really like you, Holly".
Holly was about to make a comment when a Sargent stood before the three of them. Standing up straight, he stared at them;
"good evening". He greeted, "the name is Tony Patrick. But you can call me Paddy".
Nixon hid a smirk and looked away from Patrick.
Clearing his throat, Winters offered the man a tight smile;
"good to meet you, Paddy. I'm Dick Winters and this is-"
"Holly Duffy". Patrick cut him off, eyes looking towards her.
Holly stared back at the guy and noticed his hardened stare.
Frowning, she greeted him back;
"how's it going, Paddy?"
Patrick ignored her and said;
"I couldn't help but notice that you two have not long joined the army". He sounded slightly pissed off, "we joined the army straight after high school".
"Yeah? So what?" Nixon mumbled, "what's that got to do with being an Officer?"
Patrick looked slightly offended;
"everything, Nixon. They are under-qualified".
"Jesus Christ. You sound fun at parties". Nixon remarked sarcastically.
With a tiny smile, Holly looked back at Patrick;
"is that all, Paddy?" She asked.
"We're not happy about having you here, Holly. Or your friend". Patrick's eyes landed on Winters. "While we have all earned our rank, it appears you have both been handed yours".
"Tony, was it?" Winters asked.
"I get called Paddy, actually". Patrick corrected.
"Nope. You're a Tony". He said, "why don't you clear off, huh?"
"Yeah. You stink of asshole, Tony". Holly said, with a smirk. "Must be disgusting having your nose up the brasses arse all day".
Patrick's eyes widened a little;
"that's slightly disrespectful".
"You're one to talk". Nixon mumbled. "Men like you don't win wars, Tony. Men who win wars don't show off their rank, they just 'wanna do their damn job".
Patrick snorted.
But he didn't say anything else.
And when he walked away, Holly shook her head;
"what a prick". She muttered, "are they all like him?"
"No, not everyone". Nixon said, "not everyone is a Tony".
Winters sighed;
"thank God for that".
Holly rubbed the back of her neck;
"I can't see me fitting in at all".
"You'll both be alright". Nixon told them, "just work hard and ignore the Tony's around here".
Winters and Holly could tell they'd get along with Nixon just fine.
…
They had an early breakfast the next morning, where their Master Sargent showed them the way to the mess hall. Compared to Croft, the mess hall was like a five-star restaurant. But while on their way to breakfast, the men from the barrack caught sight of a group of men marching by. They looked tough, bronzed and all things a soldier should look like. Holly had no idea what branch they were from, but they certainly weren't Infantry. Nixon caught her stare and smirked;
"Paratroopers". He told her, "a new way of fighting the war".
"They look…like they're made of steel". Holly said, "are they?"
Nixon snorted;
"no, Holly. But they are bad assesses".
He then added;
"they get a great paycheck". He told them, "especially if you're an Officer".
"Yeah?" Winters asked, "how much do they make?"
"Two hundred and sixty-eight dollars a month".
Holly's mouth opened;
"really?"
Nixon nodded;
"oh, yeah". He mumbled, "they get more money because of their job".
"Jesus". Winters whispered.
Holly smirked at him;
"oh, you're such a prick".
Blinking a few times, he looked at her;
"why?"
She chuckled;
"you're a fanny, Dick…pure telling Trent off for even considering joining the Paratroopers and now you're thinking about it, eh?"
Clearing his throat, Winters shook his head;
"I wasn't".
"You can't lie to me, Dick". Holly grinned, "but if you 'wanna look into it, then I'm all for it. I reckon it can't be that hard to jump out of a plane".
Nixon smirked;
"Christ, you're 'gonna be famous, Holly".
But he then added;
"I'd consider it too if I'm honest. It's new and exciting. And flying sounds like a great way to jump into the war".
Winters sighed;
"I have to apologise to Trent".
Holly continued to grin;
"yeah, you do".
They didn't have any lessons scheduled until the 9th of April. So, Winters and Holly took that time off to get used to the camp. Nixon showed them around. There were many PX centres, as well as Red Cross Clubs, movie theatres, a library, sporting facilities, medic barracks and a large hospital. Benning had everything a soldier would need for training. But the best news of all was their ice cream in camp. It tasted brilliant.
Holly convinced Nixon and Winters to get ice cream with her.
The three of them sat inside the PX centre, with a cone each.
"We just had breakfast two hours ago". Nixon pointed out, wondering why he was sitting with an ice cream cone at nine in the morning.
Winters shrugged;
"you'll get the hang of this".
"What? Eating ice cream in the morning?"
"No, just Holly in general".
Grinning, Nixon licked his ice cream;
"can't beat a sugar rush in the morning".
Holly nodded in approval;
"this ice cream is the dog's bollocks".
Winters sighed;
"Holly…".
Nixon chuckled;
"is that Scottish slang, Holly?"
"Yeah…people in Gorbals used to say shit like that all the time". Holly told him, "Dick hates it. Especially in public places".
Shaking his head, Winters hid a smile;
"you never listen to me, Holly".
"How long have you known each other?" Nixon asked them.
"Almost three years". Winters replied, "we became roommates on the 6th of June. My old roommate moved States, Holly saw an ad that I needed a roommate – and we've been together ever since".
Nixon smiled a little;
"that's nice". He said, "so, are you two together?"
Holly looked up from her ice cream;
"how?"
He shrugged;
"you could get into a lot of trouble…if that fell into the wrong ears".
Winters looked Nixon up and down;
"but you won't say".
Nixon shook his head;
"no, Dick. I'm not a rat. And besides, it's not my business".
He then added;
"it's 'gotta be difficult, no?"
"Not really". Holly mumbled, "we're used to each other. It's been nice seeing Dick become a soldier right before my eyes".
Smiling, Winters looked at her;
"it has?"
Looking back at him, she nodded;
"yup. I love all sides of you, Dick. Even your General side".
Nixon snorted;
"his what?"
Holly grinned;
"you know, when things always have to be right. Like, I left one toenail on the coffee table and a couple of towels on the bathroom floor and Dick lost it".
Frowning, Winters looked at her;
"Holly! There was more than one toenail on that damn coffee table. You hid them behind the radio too".
Chuckling, she gave Nixon a nod;
"see what I mean?"
Nixon laughed;
"look, I'm not getting involved. But if you two can get over toenails, then I'm sure you can get over whatever the hell this war throws our way".
Winters ended up laughing;
"that's reassuring, Lew. Thanks".
They spent the rest of the day exploring camp with Nixon.
After supper, the men headed back to their barrack for lights out. Holly was in the process of gathering her things for the latrines when their Master Sargent came into the barrack. His eyes landed towards the back of the barrack and he met Holly's curious stare.
"Corporal Duffy". He addressed, "with me, please".
Putting her things down, Holly walked up the strip and towards their Sargent. There, he led her outside of the barrack and into the night. When the door closed, he looked at her;
"follow me, Corporal".
A small feeling of nerves reached her stomach while following their Sargent;
"have I done something, Sargent?"
"Nope". He replied, "there's been a mix-up, is all".
Holly frowned;
"mix-up, Sargent?"
Nodding, he led her into another barrack. A smaller barrack. It was joint to the medical centre. And inside the barrack, two other men were sat inside. Holly looked at the two young men, confused and a little worried. The Sargent then informed her;
"I'll collect your things, Corporal. You'll be training with the medics".
Her frown deepened, while she looked at the Sargent;
"what about Officer training, Sargent?"
"They see it best, that you train with the medics, Corporal Duffy". He told her, "if you have any problems, then take it up to our Commanding Officer. Not me".
When the Sargent left the barrack.
Holly felt her shoulders drop, with a long sigh;
"the fuck?" She mumbled to herself.
One of the trainee medics smiled at her;
"don't worry". He said, "it happened to us as well".
"Yeah…we got the whole 'mix-up' excuse as well". The other one added.
"Why?" Holly asked.
One of them shrugged;
"guess they 'wanna train up some good medics, kid. And I'm guessing you've had some medical training?"
She shook her head;
"well – not really…I was a vets assistant".
"That's enough". He said, "if you can wrap a bandage, then you can be a medic".
"But why here?" Holly asked, "this is for Officers".
"No idea, kid". He said, "we've just 'gotta go with it".
"Well, at least it's not as crowded". Holly said lightly.
The same man grinned;
"I'm John Adams". He greeted her, "this is Stuart Brown".
Approaching the pair of them, Holly shook their hands;
"Holly Duffy".
"We know who you are". Stuart said with a smile, "it's good to meet you, Holly".
"So, who's in charge of us?" Holly asked, when the handshake ended.
"Lieutenant Mathews". John informed her, "don't worry, he's a good guy. You'll meet him tomorrow. He works up at the hospital most days when he's not training us. But he gives us a briefing on what needs to be done around here every morning".
"Like what?"
Sick calls…check-ups". John listed, "the usual. And then we train up in the hospital in shifts. We take it in turns doing a graveyard shift".
Holly sighed;
"I've done plenty of nightshifts before".
"We didn't". Stuart told her, "not until we came here".
Holly looked at the pair of them;
"you's must have shown some good skills in training before here".
"The only thing that stands out for me, is helping stable a guy after he broke his leg". John said to her, "Stu was with me. Ain't that right, pal?"
Stuart smiled;
"yeah, I was". He confirmed, "then I helped with a guy who almost bled-out".
"Jesus". Holly whispered. "Thank God they had you pair, eh?"
John nodded towards an empty bed;
"that's free, kid". He told her, "make yourself at home".
Holly smiled;
"cheers, mate".
Sitting down on the bed, she asked;
"when did you's get your Sargent stripes?"
"Few months back". Stuart said, "figured I'd be fighting…not dressing wounds".
"Come on, pal". John rolled his eyes, "we'll be just as important, huh?"
"My old man don't think so".
Holly frowned;
"well, he's wrong, Stuart". She mumbled, "if it wasn't for combat medics, soldiers wouldn't survive out there".
John smiled;
"see? We're important, Stu. Keep that chin up, pal".
John and Stuart were both friendly and welcoming. Holly thought she'd be just fine. But she'd miss seeing Winters every day. However, when her old Master Sargent came back with her things, he informed her;
"you'll be in charge of the men inside the barrack you came from, Corporal. Tomorrow morning, at 0600, I want a sick call. As quickly as possible".
"Yes, Sargent".
Giving her a nod, he then left the barrack.
Holly found herself smiling again.
She figured she'd do just fine in Fort Benning.
…
Lieutenant Mathews was a middle-aged doctor from New York.
A well-educated man, he was very patient and kind with his three trainee medics. Holly instantly liked Mathews. He gave her a short introduction before handing them a schedule to last them for the entire day. After, he picked John for the graveyard shift that night and left the medics to it, before heading back to the hospital. They'd see Lieutenant Mathews after lunch for Holly's first lecture on first aid and medical emergencies.
Grabbing her things, Holly then quickly left the barrack and made it into the other barrack, where the men were all lined up and ready for sick call. Looking towards the back of the barrack, she caught sight of Winters and felt herself smile. Clearing her throat, she got to work and asked each man if they were well. No one claimed to be sick that morning.
"Are you well?" Holly asked Winters, with a tiny smirk.
"No, my heart breaks with your absence, Corporal Duffy". He whispered.
Snorting, Holly checked him off as healthy.
Looking at him, she sighed;
"it's fine, Dick". Holly told him, "they want me to be a medic, guess I'm a medic now, eh? I wasn't cut out to lead a Platoon".
Winters frowned;
"you could have, Holly". He said, "but maybe you were always meant to be a medic".
Smiling, she then asked;
"ice cream at free time?"
He smiled back and nodded;
"see you then".
"Good luck, Dick".
"You too".