Never Thought I'd Be Here

6 Weeks Later – January 2242

To this day, I'm still not entirely sure how Detective Paul convinced me to formally join the NCR military. However, two days after the meeting with the BOS; I was joining a group of six other potential officers in a program based out of Camp Seth. Just before joining the officer training program, I heard that the NCR's military was mobilizing for a push towards the coast in a display of force to the still largely unknown "Enclave." Me and the six other potential officers were getting trained to join units on that march or as replacements for the uprooted forces. I never would have ever believed I'd serve in a military of any kind, but Paul had a strange way with words that I again don't know how to explain.

Although, it really does pay to know people because I was hardly worth the average private in the NCR military. But, there I was in an officer training program with zero military background whatsoever. My connections to Paul, Captain McNeil, and my own unique involvement with them landed me (A former squatter/slave/caravan guard/New Reno thug/Independent scout/ and simultaneous junkie) in the company of six other people who spent the past couple years fighting raiders in the wastes and studying. I eventually entered the new year of 2242, no longer bore any resemblance mentally or physically to the guy I was a year ago, had a new title, and purpose in life.

Anyhow, I entered the officer program at Camp Seth in early-December of 2241, thanks to recognition of the connections I made, and was learning how to serve a nation I only entered a few weeks prior. Camp Seth was only about a thirty-minute walk from the gates to Shady Sands which was close to my house. So, I got to go home at the end of each training day as opposed to the other officer candidates who were primarily from places down south like, "The Hub" "Adytum" and somewhere called "Dayglow." From everything I'd seen about old world military and what little I saw of NCR enlistees; the officer training wasn't what I was expecting. The NCR pulls potential officers from the enlisted ranks out in the field who show excellence in leadership and all-around knowledge or wisdom. I never thought of myself as a "Scholar" or anything in the least, but thanks to an education from my likely cannibalistic family; I was more learned than most soldiers pulled out of the NCR enlisted ranks. What I lacked in overall military or combat experience, I made up for with a decent vocabulary, ability to learn, and survival from about seven years on the run.

The first two days were surprisingly lacking in the physical activities I heard stories of. Instead, the only real physical activity was a quick fitness test where we had to run two miles around the base, do pushups, and situps. Thankfully, I spent the last several weeks accustomed to the road and wasteland treks, so it wasn't too bad. Then that time in the mine, taking beatings, giving beatings, and utilizing the Jungle Gym in New Reno gave me the strength I needed to pass the strength tests just fine. The rest of those first days was spent with gear issue, signing forms, setting up pay with a Shady Sands lending company, something called an "IQ Test" and giving "Dependent" information in case I die. During this time, I was paid for my services to Paul and Captain McNeil again, but this time only $1,000 which was still plenty. However, due to my new apparent soldiering job, I was making similar cash to what I was getting as a Bishop Family thug.

I remember considering how the Bishop family took my desertion, but I was far away and more than safe from any potential assassins in my new military environment. Also, I don't think they'd even be able to recognize me. Every time they saw me, I was either in a clean tight blue suit, or comfortable rags when I had to enter a different family's territory. After the gear issue, I cast my road gear aside and was clad in the issue gear of an NCR Soldier.

The typical outfit was the, "Trooper Fatigues" that consisted of; brown cargo pants, light tan combat boots, tan wrappings around the boots called, "Puttees", light tan collared shirt, satchel, radio, brown field pack, goggles, NCR flag patch for the right arm, and a brown baseball cap (I hadn't earned my green officer's beret yet). Most of that gear was fairly similar to my original road gear (minus the scrap armor bedazzled in colorful stickers I'd find in the ruins). My caravan guard friends told me that tan or brown was the best colors for the desert and the NCR Military clearly knew that (Obviously).

After the initial gear issue and administrative tests, we started our training which turned out to be just a bunch of classroom stuff. The other officer candidates, including our instructor "Captain Gray" weren't sure what to call me. All the officer candidates were members from the enlisted ranks, either "Staff Sergeants" or above and had the marks of age and combat; with the exception of the 19-year-old baby faced half black guy (me). So, I was addressed simply as "Candidate." The other candidates had been in the military for a while and wondered exactly who I was, but I wasn't sure what I was allowed to disclose due to my involvement with Detective Paul and the Intel community. Captain McNeil's office wasn't too far away though. So, one day curiosity got the better of my instructor and McNeil was called in to explain exactly why I was the only one there without a rank. He didn't go into any details, but seemed to falsely infer that I was part of the Covert Ops.

So, the classes went on throughout the day, but like I said; these guys knew way more about the military than me. Their jargon, acronyms, and general conduct was like a language from outer space. Over time, I got some of it down, but I essentially had to learn everything under the sun. Captain Gray couldn't take time out of his program to teach me my ABCs, so I was forced to learn much about the NCR military on my off time from a little book called the, "NCRAFH" (New California Republic Armed Forces Handbook)

*Writing the (un)official NCRAFH was actually a side project of mine inspired by the Marine Corps. "Green Monster"*

I learned about general military conduct back at home while Sophia made dinner and tried my best to keep up with whatever was getting taught in class. Mom didn't have a grading system when she was teaching me to read, but there certainly was in the officer program. Like I mentioned; I had an above average education growing up, and was supposedly far smarter than the average waster who signed up for service. So, I did alright. The classes were about many things that were largely foreign to me, but luckily I learned fast.

There was a class on weapons systems, troop tactics, mutation biology, NCR history, desert survival, combat first aid, and even drill. Several times throughout the program, we took charge of 12-15 troopers from the Shady Sands garrison and practiced forming them into "platoons" and what not. It was pretty hard, but all the troopers were at least disciplined enough to take word from us. We didn't get a lot of practice, but it was enough to get the gist of it.

I went through the classes for 6 weeks, that was how long the NCR took to train 2nd Lieutenants. It wasn't long, but considering officers needed some intellect and enlisted camp was 4 weeks; I personally felt the training was adequate enough. The vibe I got from the other candidates was that most actual training took place on the long marches between military stations.

Throughout the program, I had a lot of trouble dealing with my addiction to Jet. By this point in the NCR's military history, drugs were still a no, no. However, again thanks to my connections with Detective Paul and Captain McNeil, the military was able to see my addiction as an "Intelligence Expense." Thanks to my supposed efforts with the NCR's northern operation, I was "Prescribed" diluted Jet and my eventual superiors would be legally bound to turn a blind eye to my getting high. There was still no progress in a cure for Jet addiction, so there was little they could do except bar addicts from entrance to the military. I was the exception since I was officially designated as an "Intel Asset" to the NCR Government.

The weeks passed, I reached the final two weeks of the officer program, and found myself in the first two weeks of 2242. I adjusted to the classes and did fine in all of them. Towards the end of that second to last week, us candidates had to hit the range. We spent the past weeks going over all the different weapon systems in use by the NCR military and worked out their functions, but this was our time to update our marksmanship status or Prove it in my case. The NCR Army largely used bolt action rifles or semi-automatic "AK" rifles at this point in NCR history, so we hit the range with .308 bolt actions. They were long rifles with wooden stocks and only iron sights (Unlike the sweet scoped bolt action I bought on my way to Mariposa). So, we headed to the range west of Camp Seth. Many miles from the caravan road, we reached a shooting range with targets spread far out into the desert. From there, we awaited our individual assessments.

I was last in the line, and simply watched each person take their turn. There were five brown man shaped targets each at hundred-yard intervals with a white plywood backdrop. Each candidate stepped onto the mat and had to fire one round at each target from the standing, then kneeling, then prone positions for a total of 15 shots. After the candidate was done firing, they were walked out to see how they did and patch up the targets with tape. Most of them did well, but many started to lose accuracy by the 300 yard target. Finally, it was my turn.

I still don't know where I got my marksmanship from. It seemed like when Sarah drafted me into her mercenary guard company as the "Designated Marksman" God or Willie or some otherworldly entity gave me the strange power. I never even held a two-handed rifle before that event, but my ability was what granted me entrance to the Bishop Family of New Reno.

15 shots later, I was walked out to each target showing a lone bullet hole in the heads of each one. I did the best in our candidate group with a perfect score and was designated a "Rifle Expert." I felt good about my score, but wouldn't see the true effect until a week later.

The officer program ended through a graduation ceremony similar to the first time I entered Camp Seth. In place of the 50 graduated privates was the seven of us led to the courtyard by Captain Gray. I managed to catch glimpse of the bleachers still trying to focus on "Staying in step" and saw about 6 or 7 people. Most of the new officer's families couldn't make it from NCR towns down south, but I did see Sophia who shouted cheer inappropriately for the occasion, and a lone green beret I assumed was Captain McNeil.

We stood there proudly in the center of that plaza and the base command staff approached. The commander of the Shady Sands Garrison, Colonel Larrieu inspected all of us and personally presented each of us with our new rank insignias and green officer berets. I wasn't sure if I was prouder in this moment than I was when I shook John Bishop's hand, but the small tear in my eye for this occasion spoke for itself. When the Colonel reached me, Captain Gray pinned the yellow 2nd Lt. insignia to my collars and Colonel Larrieu presented the box with my new piece of headgear. Upon opening it, instead of a green beret, there was a red one with a strange gold emblem on it.

I think the Colonel caught my expression and said humorously, "Never heard of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion? You must be Captain McNeil's man, Haha."

I placed the red beret on my head, and ten minutes later we were released to our families or whoever came to see us. I gave Sophia a big ol hug and she gave me congratulations. Then I saw my assumptions were correct and Captain McNeil extended his hand for a handshake saying likewise. I asked where Detective Paul was, and he said he was on assignment.

Then I asked the captain, "What's the results of our investigations?" (I'm surprised I hadn't asked sooner)

I was so busy spending my evenings studying military customs, courtesies, and procedures that I forgot to even follow up on everything I went through.

He said, "I'm surprised you hadn't heard? Our forces are on march to the coast. You will get your assignment from Captain Gray, but there is a large force of our guys from the south getting ready to depart in a few days. Lots of Brotherhood too…"

I asked, "Wait, what? Brotherhood?"

He said, "Yes, the ambassador and I presented our findings to the congress who passed a declaration of war against the Enclave. We offered the Brotherhood Elders you met an Alliance against the Enclave and got approval from their headquarters at Lost Hills."

I asked, "So what does this mean?"

He said simply, "It means there's been a bunch of Brotherhood guys camping with our staging forces north of town for a push towards Frisco."

I asked, "What's going on at Frisco?"

He said half humorously, "It's always been such fun explaining things to you, Sean. So, our forces are coming in from the south along with what the Brotherhood could spare. I'll let Captain Gray and your new command explain the details, but there has been reports of unrest in San Fran and news on the Chosen One in that area. The military is heading to San Fran to ease tensions in the area as new reports of Enclave activity increase..."

He paused for a second at the sight of my regularly confused expression and said, "I gotta go, and congratulations on making 1st Recon." Then he walked off towards his office quickly.

Again with the sudden departure… I spent the next few minutes talking with Sophia about household matters and she asked why I was given a red beret instead of a green one. I explained that I had no idea, but it meant I was "1st Recon" whatever that meant. After a few more minutes, Captain Gray rounded us new lieutenants up and said to head back to the classroom. I told Sophia that I'd see her at home, and she left with the other few people.

I walked with the others back to the classroom and Captain Gray told us to take seats. From there, he told all of us which units we had to report to and congratulated me on my placement in 1st Recon. I still didn't know what that was, but the others appeared somewhat jealous. Three of the new officers were assigned to NCR townships down south. Me and the other three were assigned to units posted at the staging area north of Shady Sands that McNeil spoke of. The officers headed southbound were paid caravan passage and given departure dates to the various townships. The rest of us were told that the forces posted north of Shady were going to depart in three days. Captain Gray suggested we head there and introduce ourselves immediately, but they didn't have families in town like I did.

We all left the classroom and went about our separate ways. I stuck with the guys headed to the northern staging area, but turned on the dirt road back to Shady Sands saying I just had to say bye to my wife. Back at home, I informed Sophia of my standing orders, to which she replied,

"WHAT!?"

I was going to leave her all my cash, but honestly couldn't say when I'd be back. I told her I'd keep in touch… somehow… and just to think of me leaving like when her brother Tuco was sent out into the wastes. I was especially clear that she didn't have to be a prostitute just to get by anymore, and she guilted me into staying a day with her before linking up with my unit. It was already evening, but we spent that night having fun and making plans for the future. We went over possible jobs or careers around town she could do to pass the time in my absence. I knew not to get too wild the night before leaving and told her I'd just be a few miles away in San Fran or Frisco. I wasn't sure where San Fran was exactly, but if it was past that military base I explored, it'd be a heck of a walk and more than a few miles.

So, the two of us spent the night getting high on our diluted vice, doing the dirty, and planning for whatever was ahead. The next morning came, we had breakfast together, and I loaded up to head out towards the military's staging area to the north.