The day was almost over, the trainees were given time to workout with equipment; Heeler and Huskton were working on doing their pullups while hanging out with some Dogs they became good battle buddies like an Hmong named Moua. Another Dog named Landers; an American bulldog who before enlisting in the Army was a professional MMA fighter. Despite being short, he was built like a tank and notable spoke with a lisp.
While they were good mates with everyone in their platoon. Those two they got along with the most but besides from that; the same daily routine of waking up early, doing PT and not doing much all day while getting yelled at. "TRAINEES FORM UP IN YOUR PLATOONS!" Yelled the Drill Sgt standing outside. Quickly everyone put away the equipment before heading towards their platoons. Once everyone formed up; the company's First Sgt Smith walked outside causing everyone to yell at ease since First Sgt outranks the Drill Sgts. Smith placed himself in front of all four platoons.
"Trainees tomorrow is the day. Enough of this boring crap doing nothing all day. Tomorrow is when the real basic training shit starts. Tomorrow we head over to Victory Tower where you'll test your fears of height. Tomorrow's formation will be 0630, come down with the following." First Sgt pulled out his phone before continuing. "OCP uniform, assault pack with your wet weather top, tarp, eye pro, ACH (Helmet) inside and a full camelbak. Tracking?"
"YES FIRST SGT!" Yelled everyone. "Get the fuck outta here." Said the First Sgt. "YES FIRST SGT!" Again yelled everyone before running to their barracks. Inside the barracks, everyone were either conducting personal hygiene and or getting their stuff packed for tomorrow. Huskton stepped out the shower and shake himself off before using a towel to dry himself. Having to wear clothes all the time was difficult to get used to since him and everyone normally don't wear clothing since their fur covers everything but all the Trainees had to wear summer PTs to bed or OCPs throughout the day. Thankfully the newer OCPs were made from a lighter, breathable material.
After putting on his summer PTs, Huskton grabbed his toiletry bag making his way towards a sink. While brushing his teeth, Moua walked in placing his toiletry bag a sink away from Huskton. "What's good Huskton?" Said Moua. "Doing good Moua." Replied Huskton afterwards a awkward silence began while they were conducting personal hygiene. Huskton tried to think of something to break the silence.
"So Moua, no offensive but what is your breed exactly? Never seen or heard of a Hmong." Moua spit out the toothpaste before answering his question. "Hmong are a small breed of Dogs. We mostly reside in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin." "Where do you guys originally come from? What country?" Asked Huskton. "We don't have one. We originally came from China but slowly spread out to other countries and for some reason most of us Hmongs living in the U.S moved to either Minnesota and Wisconsin." Moua explained.
"That's interesting. Yeah I never heard or knew of your breed. Well anyways I'm gonna get my shit packed and go to bed. Good Night." "Good night to you." Replied Moua before Huskton left. His assigned bunkbed was across the barracks from the latrine. While walking towards his bunk; an Doberman named Buchanan whom was assigned as the Platoon Guide or PG for short, approached him and called Heeler over. "Hey I have you both on fire guard duty from 0100 to 0200." Buchanan told the two Dogs getting an annoyed sigh from both before heading back to their bunks. Huskton opening his locker to pack for tomorrow before going to bed.
The Next Day
After marching through a dense forest to the training area, the Drill Sgts ordered everyone to ground their gear and sent two trainees from each platoon to pick up boxes of MREs. While the platoons ate their MREs, Huskton's attention was over at the tower; the height of the tower with the little obstacles around it was intimating. Didn't help the tower was made of wood and it was raining not long before they woke up so it might be little slippery.
"FIVE MINUTES!" Buchanan called out letting everyone know chow time is almost over. Scarfing down his food then stood up to throw away his MRE but remained standing since those who already finished were so he figure it be best he does too. While everyone were throwing away their MREs; Drill Sgt Perez called Buchanan over.
"Per Drill Sgt: take off all your patches, watches, dog tags or anything and place them inside your assault pack. then don your ACHs, eye pro and tuck in your tops." Once everyone did what the PG said, they were ordered to walk towards Victory Tower in a single file line. Awaiting them at the entrance was their First Sgt wearing an harness and ACH.
"Trainees if anyone screams while rappelling, one I'm recording you and two, you're going again until you don't scream." Said First Sgt getting the "Yes First sgt" responds back. Behind Victory tower was a smaller version of it and next to that was where they kept all the harness and gloves for rappelling.
"Lock it up!" Shouted Drill Sgt Ellison before continuing; "Senior Drill Sgt will demonstrate as I explain but when your on this tower feet and knees will be contacting the floor at all times meaning you'll crawl." As Drill Sgt Ellison is explaining, Senor Drill Sgt Poodle gets on his hands and knees before making his way to the first section.
"For the first set of ropes, you'll walk on the rope sidewards while holding on to the top rope. For the second set, you'll get on top of the rope, one leg hooking onto the rope, one dangling below for balance and you'll pull yourself to the end." While Senor Drill Sgt was pulling himself across the rope, some of the Trainees gasped as for a second it seemed like he lost his balance but managed to stabilize himself. "You had me scared for a second Senor. Now for the last set, like the first set, you'll walk on the rope but hold on to both ropes above you and after you done. You'll climb down the wall of ropes and move to get your harness and gloves. Understood?" Explained Drill Sgt Ellison.
"YES DRILL SGT!" The trainees shouted before making their way to the ladder. Santana, an Border Collie who's really good at singing was first up the ladder and right away made his way through the first set. Next up, Krumie an flat coat retriever climbed up the ladder, Huskton following behind. The first set was easy but as he made his way to the second set, the urge to pee started slowly building up inside Huskton. After passing the second set, he rushed through the third one and crawled his way to the edge to begin climbing down the ropes.
"Holy shit." Huskton said in his head, hesitating after seeing how high up he really was. He held tightly on the rope while trying to find placement for his foot. The rope swinging slightly while climbing but step by step made his way and in no time reached the airbag so he just let go of the rope and fell into the airbag; rolling off it. Huskton still needing to use the bathroom noticed some porta potties but in boot camp you can't go anywhere without a battle buddy or else the Drill Sgts will have fun with you if caught.
"Hey battle buddy me? I'm bouta piss myself." Huskton said to Bush, another trainee within his platoon which he agreed to following behind to the porta potty. If one buddy battle was doing anything like refilling their camelpack; using the latrine or anything similar in a field training environment then the Trainee not doing the activity will kneel down on one knee and be on the lookout also called pulling security.
As soon he stepped inside the ports potty. Huskton was blasted with an heat wave like opening an oven; undoing his pants which is annoying since it uses buttons instead of a zipper. While relieving himself, he took notice of the drawings and messages on the wall. "8 more weeks of hell left." Despair filling Huskton knowing there's two months left but he finished and button up his pants before heading out to continue the training.
"You needa go?" Huskton asking Bush receiving a no before they made their way to get their rappelling gear. There was an container with rappelling gear hanging which they each grabbed before heading back out and saw a circle of Trainees being thought by a instructor. After some time he got on the rappelling gear and followed everyone to the line for the smaller rappel event. As they were waiting in line someone with a camera took few shots of them before moving on. "Wonder if my parents will see that." Saying to himself watching the cameraman walk away.
"NEXT TRAINEE!" Yelled a Drill Sgt taking Huskton out his trance before climbing up the ladder. "Section three." The same Drill Sgt said, crawling his way to section three, the instructor told Huskton to lift his arms up while he buckled everything into place and told him to slowly walk off the edge. "Wave you non-break hand to me." the Instructor ordered; Huskton slowly letting go of the rope to wave. "Now hop three times then start walking backwards." As instructed he did the three hops but hesitated since to descend; he'll need to loosen his break hand behind him.
"Trainee are you nervous? Hurry up." The instructor said with an aggressive attitude before Huskton decided to loosen his break, walking down the steep wall. Disconnecting the rope from his harness; being told to make his way to the top of victory tower for the final event. Following behind fellow Trainees up making their way to the top; awaiting them was a long line. Four Drill Sgts were lined up on the edge to guide the trainees. A Drill Sgt from another platoon got the ropes in place before sending him over the edge and like with the instructor asked him to show him his non-break hand.
Huskton walked backwards few steps before the Drill Sgt spoke; "Hop three times." Doing three little hops; he got a nod from the Drill Sgt which he believes is his hint to start descending. Gathering up the strength to do an powerful hop, losing control before slamming into the wall. Quickly getting back on his feet deciding to just do small hops. His boots made contact with the ground undoing the ropes before taking off the harness, right away feeling a burning sensation where the harness was rubbing against. While making his way to place the harness back screaming was heard; turning around he saw a girl and noticed their First Sgt recording with his phone.
After everyone completed Victory Tower, they went back to their platoons; securing their gear before making movement back to the barracks; ending the day.
Author's Note:
Hello there; Broski here. I feel like I took long to finish this chapter; been busy and not just pure procrastination but hey it's here isn't it. But I personally feel I'm going too fast going through the events of this story so let me know what you think if I am. Also if you ain't tracking I made an Instagram where I'll post updates of my content; username is BroskiBro516. Well that is all and until next time cya.