This is a work of fiction, the characters are creations of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to any actual person. living or dead, is purely accidental and unintentional. Nothing here is intended to dismiss the sacrifices of, or in any way disrespect the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
Any mistakes in descriptions of military terms and/or tactics are the sole responsibility of the author.
Β©2023, ALL Rights Reserved
[Chapter 3]
I was booked for the Mountain Warfare course, which was to be the last of my 'Q' schools before I became a fully qualified P.J. & received my badge & Red Beret.
That was the 'plan' anyway... In the Spec War community, there is a saying that "No plan ever survives after the shooting starts." The way these things go, I reported to Ft. Carson, Colorado after my leave, and was told "Don't even bother unpacking Airman. Here are your orders, report to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, get there by Monday. Keep your receipts, I can't promise you will get paid back, but without receipts I promise you won't. Dismissed."
"Uhhh, Yes Sir, Thank You Sir."
"Are you still here?"
So there I was, at the Airport waiting for a commercial flight, courtesy of Visa & Government Travel Rates. I could have tried to get a Space-Available flight courtesy of the Air Force, but I was still only an E-3. Airman First Class to civilians, and basically just another peon in the military hierarchy. Besides, I could sit around a hanger for a few days hoping to get a flight, or I could get to Florida 3 days early, and catch a few waves.
I opened my sealed orders to find out what new plans my Uncle in Washington had in store for me. Besides Mountain training, P.J.s typically get sent through the Artic or Jungle Warfare course. I was obviously not going to Arctic Training in Pensacola. So naturally, I was expecting to see 'Jungle Warfare School' typed neatly on the line... Instead it read: "US Army Ranger Assessment Course."
Because I was in my Class-A 'Blues', I assume, I was told by the Gate Attendant that they were oversold in Coach, but I was being upgraded to Business Class rather than get bumped to the next flight. "Thank you Ma'am, this must be my lucky night." Little did I know.
On the flight down to Florida, the first leg flew into Tampa. After my upgrade, I was sitting next to one of the most beautiful girls I'd ever seen. No Exaggeration. I (humbly) think I am a pretty good-looking guy, in good (now great?) shape due to the physical nature of the training regimen of a wanna-be P.J. But this girl was an 11 & probably out of my league.
I didn't want her to think I was a creep, so after I stowed my gear, and hers (chivalry might be out of style, but it's not dead) I took my seat by the window & started to browse thru the Sky-Mall catalog. Rebecca ("but everyone calls me Bex") introduced herself right away & started talking like we had been friends forever. I might have wondered who she was actually talking to (again -- out of my league), but in Business Class there are only 2 seats per row.
Bex told me she had a brother who was serving in an Army Striker Battalion, in Ramadi (Iraq), and showed me a picture of him with his squad. I told her I was still in training, but would likely be over there myself by the end of the year. She asked me about my training, and seemed interested when I told her about the P.J.s & their mission... my mission too, or it would be after I completed training anyway.
I found out that she was a Grad Student who supported herself by being a Cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who coincidently had just won their first Super Bowl a few months earlier. I told her I was a long-suffering Chargers Fan.
Growing-up in Southern California definitely has its advantages, & I sure can't complain... But our Football Teams are generally atrocious. The Rams had a good run for a couple of years, but San Diego seemed solidly committed to underachievement year after year. Even though she cheered for the Bucs, she lowered her voice to below a whisper and said "But I grew up in Pennsylvania, and I'll aways be Steelers Girl at heart."
The 4 hour flight to Tampa was over before it even started, or the conversation was just so good amazing that it just seemed that way. After takeoff, I went to the latrine and changed out of my uniform, not wanting to wrinkle it during the flight. After that we talked some more & I learned all about her family. When they opened the cabin door, Bex leaned over and kissed me without asking (who was I to complain?) and she slid her number into my pocket saying "If you are ever in Tampa, call me." In a way that sounded more like an order than a request.
After disembarking, she headed off to baggage claim and I went to look for my connecting gate for the flight to Pensacola. As soon as I got to the gate the attendant (& the flight information board) informed the crowd that the plane we were on was grounded due to mechanical issues. Our flight would not be leaving until the following morning, but the airline would pay for our hotels and provide meal vouchers for anyone who was 'inconvenienced' by the delay.
I was one of the few who didn't complain (well not much), this flight was still leaps & bounds more comfortable than a Military Transport. So I took my voucher & headed towards the Ground Transport Shuttles. As I sat waiting for the shuttle-bus, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, turned and looked to see Bex standing there wearing a 10-thousand-watt smile. "I thought you were not staying in Tampa, Liar!". Her smile told me she was not as angry as she acted. "I wasn't. Now I am."
"Too bad you are going to the Marriott... I could show you around town & {winking}bring you back in the morning."
I didn't want to seem too eager, even though I damn sure was. "That sounds great, but I need your word that I won't miss my flight tomorrow."
"Scout's Honor, General." I'm pretty sure I told her I was an Airman First-Class when we met, but I didn't bother correcting her this time. "Follow Me, Sir. Your chariot awaits."
I, being the good soldier I was, followed orders. I took my carry-on (the only luggage I had) and her 3 bags, and nearly tripped got run over crossing the road. I was not watching traffic, I was watching Bex's Ass, and what an exquisite ass it was. But, I was also in the crosswalk. So, when the dumb blonde in the Audi pulled out after dropping her meal ticket off, and blew her horn at me, the Cop who saw the whole thing waived her over & (I can only assume) wrote her a ticket.
I followed Bex out to a Black Mercedes Coupe... The Big One, the 500 with the V8. She popped the trunk & I loaded the luggage. "Wow. I didn't know Grad School paid so well, maybe I should have taken that scholarship."