Our Girl and it's characters belong to the bbc and were written by Tony Grounds.
Week 4- Weapon Handling Test, Introduction to Live Firing.
"Come on, lads, keep pushing. We're almost back at base." Molly calls out as 3 section run back to the barracks after their 4 mile run. The section is now down to eleven, as Private Stephen Jones was cut from the program after he panicked in the water almost drowning himself and another recruit during the military swim test. While she was sad to lose a recruit she feels confident that the rest of her section will all make it through the rest of their training and pass out. Private Jackson was still testing her patience with his disregard of authority and constant pranks, but she's determined to get through to him and make him into a proper soldier.
"Great job recruits!" Molly calls as the recruits fall into line before her, trying to catch their breathe after the grueling hike. "Today you have the weapons handling test at 1000 hours. Go get cleaned up and prepare yourself. By the way, recruits, if anyone fails you can look forward to another endurance run in full kit this afternoon." The recruits eyes widen in apprehension before hardening into looks of determination. Molly watches with a reminiscent smile as the recruits march wearily into the building.
"What are you smiling about, Dawes? Matthew asks as he comes up alongside her at the door to the building.
"Just remembering what it was like to be in their shoes. You think when you first come here that you're fit until the running starts and then you realize there's a difference between civilian fit and army fit."
"You did pretty well with the endurance runs. I remember Katie and Lauren struggled quite a bit in the beginning. Your shouts of encouragement as you ran ahead of them helped to keep them moving forward." Matthew flashes a smile her way. "That's what drew me to you. The way you truly care for others and do everything in your power to help them. Like when Lauren got hung on the rope bridge during the obstacle course. You were the one who noticed she had fallen behind and saw her hanging. You ran back to untangle the rope from around her neck and saved her life."
"You ran back too as I recall. If it weren't for you running over to hold her up as I loosened the rope, it would have been a way more difficult task. We make a pretty good team you and me." Molly says with a smile as she leans slightly towards him so their shoulders brush as they walk down the hallway.
"That we do, Dawes." Matthew agrees with a fond smile.
Suddenly Molly's eyes light up and she lightly slaps his chest in excitement. "Oh hey, I totally forgot to fill you in, I got a call from Katie last week. She's in town for a job interview and wants to catch up with us. She was very happy to hear that we're finally together by the way. Anyway I think we should get everyone together while she's in town. We could go to the pub or something like that. I'm sure Katie would be a great addition to our group."
"That sounds like a plan to me, Dawes. You do know that Luke will try to works his charms on Katie. Are you sure you want to subject her to that?" Matthew asks with a raised eyebrow.
Molly smirks and tells Matthew about the time she and Katie went out to club after their second tour and how Katie broke a guys wrist and slammed him up against the wall after he followed her to restrooms tried to force himself on her. "Trust me Katie can handle Luke. She'll have no problem shutting him down if she's not into it."
"Wow, yeah she can totally handle Luke." He says before he glances down at his watch. "I better get going before I'm late for the meeting with Captain McCall. I'll see you later." He informs her as he discreetly squeezes her hand before he turns and jogs down the hall to the Captain's office. Molly watches him go with an admiring look and then walks to her quarters to get cleaned up.
The recruits of sections: 1, 2, and 3, stare unblinkingly at the ticking clock in the hall outside the weapons testing room as they wait anxiously for their results to be brought out and posted on the board. Finally after what felt like an eternity the door swings open and Corporal Norris emerges with the results; he silently makes his way to the board and tacks up the lists. As soon as he steps back the recruits rush forward to to see if they passed or failed. Sighs of relief and groans of frustration are heard as the recruits read their results.
Molly stands in the doorway of the testing room smiling with pride knowing that her section was the only one where all the recruits passed. She watches the relief and satisfaction cross the faces of her recruits as they congratulate each other once they realize they all passed the test. "Alright, 3 Section," Molly calls out over the excited chatter, "congratulations on a job well done. Now we move on to putting your weapons knowledge to use. Follow me to the firing range for your first live firing practice."
Sections 3 falls in the line behind their corporal excited to begin the next phase of their training.
Private Jackson turns out to be the best marksmen in the section. His shots accurately hit his targets every time. He never once misses his mark. Molly raises her eyebrows at the impressive display and silently acknowledges he has the skills to backup his cocky attitude.
"Nicely done, Private." Molly tells Jackson as they file out of the shooting range at the end of the session.
"Thank you, Ma'am." Jackson replies with a proud grin.
"Are you planning to apply to the Sniper's Operating Course? With marksmanship like yours you would ace the course and the army needs more snipers to cover us in the field."
Private Jackson looks over at her with a stunned expression. "You really think I could be a sniper? I mean I do have a bit of a cocky attitude and I don't really play well with others as you've pointed out to me before, ma'am."
"I think you can do anything you set your mind to, Jackson. You have the 20/20 vision that's required and proficient skills to pass the annual marksmanship test. If being a sniper is what you want to do I believe you have what it takes to make it happen. Just set that as your goal and buckle down in training. That means no more pranks while on duty, no more slacking off, be on time to your assignments, and be respectful to others."
Private Jackson's face sets in a look of determination. "I can do that, ma'am. And I'm sorry for my disrespectful attitude and for all the trouble I've caused you. Thank you for believing in me."
Molly's face softens at his apology as she realizes Private Jackson is just a kid who probably never had anyone in his corner who believed in him before. People just wrote him off as a screwup that was going nowhere in life and no one ever took the time to encourage him that he could be something more. Much like how people thought of her before her army days.
"Apology accepted, Private. You just work hard and show the world what you can do. Make everyone who ever said you were a waste of space eat their words." Molly says as they make their way down the hall back to the recruit's quarters.