A few words from the author: I would like to say a big thank you to all who took time to read my story, and a bigger thank you to all who reviewed.

Author's notes: the next few chapters will be in a flashback sequence.

Notes on the Text: Once again, no disrespect of any kind is intended toward those who served in Vietnam or the Vietnamese in general, I humbly apologize for any offence taken by any reader who served or knows someone who served in Vietnam or is from that area. Though the author has researched the events described at length some Bleach-centered historical inaccuracies will exist. Feel free to do your own research if you think I made any grossly inaccurate mistakes.

Legal mumbo jumbo: Bleach and its characters are property of Tite Kubo.

Enjoy

"My name is Kisuke Urahara, but call me "Sandal-hat"." The man continued. "I'm your commander. First order: unload the chopper; if you have any questions about where anything goes don't be afraid to ask. When you're done with that get some chow and meet me in that building over there." He pointed to a building on the far end of the compound near the entrance.

The whole outpost was about the size of a standard city block, 900 feet long and 264 feet wide. The base perimeter was surrounded by a five foot high wall of sandbags with concertina wire coiled along the outside. The entrance was at the south end of the base, it consisted of a gate made out of fencing and barbed wire and was flanked by two crude sandbag pillboxes there were also crude pillboxes on each of the corners of the sandbag wall. The helipads were at the far end of the base away from the entrance and there were two rows of six buildings along both sides of the base. The American flag was waving on its post at the center of the base. The buildings could only be described as giant green metal half-cylinders with doors on both ends.

Everyone, except Chad (who picked up several containers at a time) made a line and started handing crates to one another and stacking them in a pile nearby. Once the chopper was empty it took off, leaving a large cloud of dust.

Everyone then proceeded to take the supplies to their respective destinations; except for the ones that were strangely marked with a bio-hazard symbol.

"Hey, Sandal-hat," Renji motioned in Urahara's direction. "I got a bunch of crates marked bio-hazard where do they go?"

"Mess hall, third building on your right", Urahara indicated with his finger.

"Why do they have a bio-hazard label?" Renji asked.

"Because the person who labels those things is a smartass", Urahara responded.

When they had finished putting the supplies in their respective areas they lined up shoulder to shoulder inside the building indicated by Urahara. The windowless building was filled with tables and chairs arranged into rows with a chalkboard on the end of the building. The building was lit by hanging electric bulbs that cast dim shadows all around.

Urahara came through the door and motioned for everyone to have a seat in the row closest to the front. He then got up to the chalkboard and started speaking.

"Welcome to the Rukongai briefing room everyone. Did you all enjoy your trip?"

"Sir, yes sir", responded the seven young men.

"Alright, now I want you to go down the row and tell me your name and combat specialization."

"Ichigo Kurosaki, support gunner."

"Ganju Shiba, combat engineer and sub-machine gunner"

"Kira Izuru, rifleman"

"Ishida Uryu, marksman"

"Ikkaku Madarame; you can call me cue ball, rifleman, close range and hand-to-hand specialist"

"Chad Yasutora, grenadier"

"Renji Abarai, rifleman"

"Okay, now that we have the formalities out of the way it's time for you boys to learn how to fight."

"Permission to speak freely sir?" Renji asked.

"Go ahead", Urahara said.

"We already know how to fight; we just got out of basic." Renji said.

"I know; but here in 'Nam Charley doesn't bend over and let you shoot him up the arse the way those targets did in basic." Urahara said. "First of all, how many of you like your uniforms?" Nobody raised their hands. "Good because they'll rot and fall off in a few months. When that happens you can either get a new one that will do the same thing after a few more months, or you can spend two weeks pay and get a custom fit outfit like mine from mama-san."

"Next thing: how many of you are proficient with the M-16?" Everyone raised their hands. "Well, guess what? We won't be using them out in the field."

"Why not?" asked Kira.

"Because A.) they don't have a very powerful cartridge and B.) they have a tendancy to jam up whenever you get into deep shit; I've lost too many men because they couldn't shoot back with that piece of junk. So I'm giving you a choice." He said as he pulled out two distict looking weapons from a nearby crate; one looked like an old M1 Garand, but it had a shorter wooden grip and a box magazine sticking out the bottom, the second weapon he pulled out was an AK-47, which everyone had learned about in basic.

"This", he said as he held up the first weapon. "is the M-14 it fires 7.62 x 51mm fullmetal jacket NATO rounds, capable of stopping any VC in their tracks, unlike the M-16 this will not break down as easily." He set the weapon down and picked up the AK, "This is the AK-47, the weapon that most Charlies use, it fires 7.62 x 39mm Kurz rounds. It's tough, reliable, powerful, and easy to handle. Whenever we go into the field you will use one of these weapons, unless you show me a suitable substitute."

Urahara looked at his watch and said, "Oops, sorry everyone, it's lights out right now. Get yourselves to bed and report back at the helipad at 0900 fully dressed and equipped. Dismissed."