Another Trooper

Posted on Sat Mar 31st, 2018 @ 9:11am by

731 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Emerald Road
Location: Marine Section

Private George Gibbs .... Amanda wrinkled her nose slightly as she finished looking at his dossier. She looked up from the screen at the young Private standing before her at parade rest.

She had her demons to deal with and lately every time that a Marine Evals dropped was foisted upon her. She leaned back in her seat as she slowly scrolled through his records again, hoping to find that nugget that would bring him out of his slump. His records was spotless by staying out of the trouble or was lucky enough not to get caught.

Above average Technical Aptitude with a family background heavily into technical and mechanical engineering. Score rating high.

Amanda smiled as she looked up at him. "Have a seat." She commanded him as she shut off the screen. "In Boot you showed great promise as a fighting Marine who could think on his feet and was placed in a leadership position. What made you think you could follow in the footsteps of your compatriots?"

Private Gibbs sat down in the closest seat to him as if his feet been scalded. He knew if he didn't impress SSG Winters, he would find himself on the first shuttle back to the Marine Pool to await the next rotation in assignments. "I didn't want everyone think I was a nerd, Sergeant Winters." He looked hopeful at her. "I made the grade to make it this far."

"You should've gone Fleet with your brains in the Technical Field, Private." Winters spoke to him as she rested in her seat. "It is obvious that compared with the average Marine. You have the lowest marksmanship. Barely pass the physical requirements. Barely able to keep up with the others on the forced 12 mile march which we test all incoming troops to be part of the unit. Someone did you a disservice by fudging your records and I know young Marines don't lose their skills or physical stamina on a few hours trip."

Private Gibbs was sweating slightly and was slowly becoming resigned with a sudden reassignment, just when he got to his first duty assignment station. A coveted shipboard assignment. "I can improve, Ser...!" Hating the way he sounded desperate not be sent away in disgrace, fell quiet when she raised her hand to cut him off.

"If you can maintain what you've shown so far of what you can do. I'll see if I can get you assigned to the Marines Technical Detachment that's part of our unit." Winters looked down at the blank screen. "You have a high intelligence and the mechanical skills to work on Marine equipment that belongs with this detachment. You'll be working in the headquarters platoon."

Now she had to push this pass Major Snyder, for he would be in her platoon of paper pushers, supply and other positions that don't fit in with the Rifle Platoons. "Shove your problem children on me..." Winters mumbled as she turned on the screen and clearing it. "Two can play the game, Major!"

Private Gibbs eyes widen at overhearing the mumbled words. He was going to be a pawn in some private war between the Major and this Sergeant from what rumors were told about her, She was a bit of a rebel, yet had her stuff wired tight. A lot of troops wanted to be in her command; for hers were the toughest Marines

Amanda got busy in writing a memo to Major Snyder.

Major Snyder.

Assigning Private Gibbs to be in HQ Platoon as a Tech to work on Marine Equipment. Even though his scores are a bit low, yet still pass Marine Standards. I find he is very intelligent and comes from a strong Technical Engineering background to be assigned to our Equipment Maintenance Section.

SGG Winters

Winters nods as she rereads what she wrote and then sent off to Major Snyder under the red flag of priority. She looked at Private Gibbs. "You mess up and your gone. Simple as that. Now get lost. "

"Yes Sergeant!" Yelled Private Gibbs as he scrambled to his feet and fled her office in due haste. Glad to be out of there and still with the unit.

Winters watched him scramble out of there with a soft chuckle. She turned her attention back to the training schedule of 'Boarding a Hostile Ship' and all that entails.

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