Dan's Story
This is a purely fictional story. No similarities to any true or factual events are intended. The only factual items in this story are the cities of Kansas City, Missouri, GrafenwΓΆhr, Germany, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Opel Cascada is a real German automobile. Otherwise, everything in this story is made up and a figment of my, admittedly, warped mind.
I also extend my sincere thank you to my editor, Kenjo Sato, for the excellent editing he did for me on this story and look forward to working with him in the future.
Without his help I would not have gotten this story published.
Forward:
I was injured in the Middle East by an improvised explosive device (IED). I was one of two that physically survived the explosion and one of three that returned home from my squad. Me, who was finally awake, Bellamy, virtually an unconscious vegetable, and Sanders, who hadn't been able to join the patrol.
I was in Landstuhl Air Force Hospital Germany for four months before I was sent home for three months of bedrest. The only exercise I had was, getting up to pee, to take a shower, and to eat meals. I slept, read, and watched TV. My bruised spinal cord had to heal from the trauma enough to allow me to start working on walking again. My injury rendered me unable to obtain an erection for a longer period than I cared to remember.
Within a week of getting home, I was sent to a specialist for evaluation where the reason for my grafts and wounds not healing, was properly diagnosed.
After the three-month bedrest, I had to start my physical therapy at the local VA Clinic on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 0945 (This was set up by Bethesda). By local, I'm talking a three-hour drive to the motel plus approximately forty-five minutes in city traffic to the torture chamber. We would leave the night before the appointment, check in at a Kansas City Motel and return that afternoon after resting a while and having lunch.
Both my sister and Mom volunteered to be my chauffeur. This is the story of how things began and developed over the rest of my life.
Chapter 1
While in high school I joined JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) and enjoyed the camaraderie and closeness of the organization so much that when I went to college, I decided to enlist in the Army Reserve and let them pay for my education.
After I got my Batchler of Science in Forensic Ballistics Investigation, the Army said, "Okay boy, you're invited to stay with us for eight years' active duty. Come on out to our lovely vacation activity center, then we'll happily give you a room in our wonderful housing with the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division." (My first permanent assignment.)
I reported to Fort Bliss, Texas for my advanced induvial training (AIT) and assignment to the 1st Platoon A Company 1st Mobile Infantry Regiment as 2nd squad leader. Being a freshly minted Second Lieutenant, I went looking for my Staff Sergeant as soon as I finished checking in. (The one that knew how to keep us new 'butter bars' alive to make it to First Lieutenant and beyond)
I found him in his office going over his scheduling roster.
"Hey Staff. You busy?"
"Just working on the guard schedule. Come on in and sit a spell." He continued to work on his scheduling.
I sat in the only chair he had in his office for guests to sit on. It wasn't comfortable. It had been modified to lean forward by cutting a half inch off the bottom of the front legs.
I didn't complain. My Uncle Jase (a retired Sergeant Major) had told me about the way the 'newbies' were handled by the old guys. I could tell he was taking my measure. Was I going to be a 'good' lieutenant or an asshole?
I stayed there for a while and then got up to stand and look out the window, waiting for him to finish.
When he finished, he asked, "What can I do for you this morning Lieutenant?"
I stated, "I'm Lieutenant Evans, your new squad leader, and I need you to teach me how to stay alive through the first engagement."
I must have passed because he gave me a surprised look, "Well sir, you stick with me and if a decision needs to be made, I'll tell you what it should be. You want an explanation of why; we'll discuss it when we're alone. You just need to use your head for something besides a hat rack and you'll do fine.
"We're scheduled for a ten-mile forced march in the morning. We form up at 0445 for muster and inspection, and head out at 0500. Be there at 0430 to show the men that you can be there when they get there."
I thanked him and went back to my quarters. I called my folks to let them know how my first day had turned out.
The next morning, I reported to the company assembly area at 0415 with my full pack, as I was instructed by the XO. (Executive Officer) I saw immediately that I had been hoodwinked. (Another test?) I was the only one there with a pack. I decided that since I was the new guy, I'd live with it.
I chose to hump the ten miles with that ninety pounds strapped to my back to show I could handle the ribbing with no hard feelings. My standing with the troops jumped up about three notches.
It was six months of hellish heat and sandbox training. I learned all I could about the men and women of my squad. I had to speak to a couple of my squad about having sex while on duty.
"Private Sanders and Private Donaldson. I don't like having this talk, but while you are in my squad, especially while one, or both, of you is supposed to be on guard duty, this cannot be tolerated. If you want to go and screw yourselves stupid, I don't care, IF it isn't while you are supposed to be walking your post or doing your other duties. I'm not going to write you up this time, but you're not going to get away free and clear.
"Staff, what do you have that will remind these love birds that they need to be ON duty while they are on duty?"
He shook his head and gave me a strange look, "I'll think of something to jog their memory, Sir."
"You've got off easy this time, but if you do this again, and I get screwed because I didn't do anything close to book, especially you, private," pointing at Donaldson. "I'll see to it you both spend some time on the wrong side of the wire. You hear me?"
They nodded their heads, "YES SIR!" they answered together.
I told Staff, "Take 'em and work their asses off, maybe they'll think twice before this happens again.
"Dismissed."
About 1600 Staff came back to my office and told me, "I set them cleaning the grease traps for the mess hall. They will be on it until around ten or so or my name ain't Bellamy. I put Corporal Briggs in charge. He's the sleeper from Monday's Article 15 (Non-Judicial Punishment). He got 45 and 45 (45 days restriction and 45 days extra duty) and busted back to Corporal.
"Since it's Friday, you want to grab a couple beers at the Gateway? I'm buying."
"Sure. Think those two ladies will be there tonight? That blonde was kinda sexy."
He shrugged with a grin. "I think my baby Louie is horny."
"Well, I wouldn't turn it down if she threw it in my face. I might even holler for ha-lup."