#1 had a really good time, and learned a lot. And as the ranking newbie, he got to learn a lot more than he'd bargained for, too.
Their first assignment was to take a bunker and toss a grenade inside . This was supposed to be a job for the highest ranking cadet in each squad, and the others were supposed to stand guard. However, just to be nice, the higher ranked guy asked #1 if he'd like to get a chance to do this.
Naturally, #1 was delighted. A real fake grenade, a chance to show his ability to sneak up, toss and roll? He was so there! And a minute later, as he was crawling along the ground through a solid mass of wild rose vines, it occurred to him that maybe this wasn't the privilege he'd originally thought. This was confirmed when he got back to the rest of the group and they were all laughing. We were up till midnight last night picking thorns out of his hide.
He showed not only a lot of initiative, but creative thinking as well. The night they got there, the kids had to train until a bit after nine. His salad had long since worn thin. However, he had snuck in a big box of granola bars in his rucksack. So, he asked the other kids in his squad if they were hungry. Duh, but at first they thought he was teasing them. They had a completley different opinion of him after he pulled out the big box of bars.
One of the other cadets pointed out that they'd get in trouble if one of the sergeants caught them eating. #1 thought for a minute, and then called out,"Cadets! 360 degree guard practice!" So, they formed a circle with their backs to the center of the circle, so they could watch for the enemy. And for any stray sergeants.
One did come by, and asked them what the heck they were doing. #1 replied that they were drilling the 360 degree guard maneuvre one more time, since they were mostly new and wanted to make sure that they wouldn't be ambushed in the dark. He thought about it for a minute, congratulated #1 on his initiative and good leadership skills, and ordered them to carry on. They did, chewing just as soon as he left. In a guard circle, of course.
On Saturday morning, they were to assemble outside the barracks and get their assigments from one of the highest-ranking cadets. She was very short and had a tiny little voice, and none of the other cadets could hear her. #1 put up with this for about a minute, then called out,"Ma'am! Permission to help, ma'am?"
She agreed and motioned him up to the front. Where he stood and listened to what she said in her quiet voice, then rebroadcast it in his "I have three little brothers and I fire no warning shots!" voice. Finally, the sergeant came over, asked what he was doing, and the girl explained- again, in her tiny shy voice. The sergeant said he was not sure if this was allowed, and that he'd get back to #1 on that. #1 saw him walk away grinning, and when the sergeant stood next to the officers, they all looked over and then began laughing.
He discovered that he is one of only a few cadets who do not get airsick on a helicopter and that MRE's do not contain fibre. He's also developed a near pathological hatred for roses, and knows that rubbing alcohol may not be the best way to take camo paint off his eyes. All in all, a successful weekend.
When Poe ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.
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