Rogers Retreat

When Lee nodded his head yes she continued, "First, I want to tell you how sorry I am about that. They're both total assholes. I know you're not lily white yourself. I know you fuck those married women and you know that's not right, but they had no valid reason to cause all the trouble. What you did should have been between you and the women and their husbands. I could understand them telling if they were friends of one of the men but they aren't. Well, anyway I wanted to warn you. Andrew and some of his friends plan to keep you from going to the Marines on time. I think they also want to beat you up when they do it, too. He and Sandy really hate you. They think if you don't report in when you are supposed to you'll get some federal time. I heard Sandy and him laughing about it last night. I was going to call you or try to find you and tell you, but when I saw you here tonight I thought I would tell you here."

Ramona sat and watched Lee fearfully. His jaws clenched and his face turned red when she told him about the plot against him. He looked at her and asked, "You're sure about this? How do I know you're telling me the truth? Maybe you're with them and want me to do something that'll get me into more trouble? Or maybe you want me to hunt them down and do something stupid?"

Ramona felt as if she had been punched in the stomach. She became angry and started to jump up and leave the table. As she began sliding toward the outside of the booth she said, "Damn you. I was trying to help. What they're planning isn't right. I didn't do anything to deserve what you said to me. You know how Sandy and Andy are. What makes you think I would ever want anything to do with them or one of their schemes?"

For some reason what she said got to Lee. His arm shot out and he grabbed her arm as it rested on the table to help her stand. He said, "I'm sorry, Ramona. You're right. I don't have any reason to treat you that way. And I do know those two. What you say they're planning sounds like something they would try. Well, it sounds like something Andy would try. I guess I really don't know Sandy well. I've only talked to her a couple of times, but I know she's a stone cold bitch. You've always seemed nice when I was in the dealership. Please sit back down and let's talk for a while."

Ramona looked at Lee. He did look sorry and seemed calmer than he was just after she told him about Andrew's and Sandy's plans. She allowed her legs to relax and she once again sat and slid into the booth across from Lee.

Lee and Ramona sat and talked for almost two hours drinking coffee. They were surprisingly compatible. Lee found out Ramona grew up on a small farm one town over from where they now lived. Her grandfather on her mother's side owned and operated a junk yard just outside the town. She used to spend a lot of her free time there with him. Her father was an Army Reservist that died during Desert Storm. He worked with her grandfather in the junk yard and was trying to purchase the farm also. After the services her mother moved to this town to find work. They had to let the bank repossess the farm. Mrs. Paulus met Mr. Blessant and married him a couple of years after they moved to town. Ramona was three months older than Lee and had no male interest. She didn't fit in the country club set and didn't care for the arrogant red neck attitude of the rest of the men she met. Truthfully, she didn't know why she got along with Lee so well. Maybe the old Arabic saying held true; "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." She certainly felt as if Sandy and Andrew were her enemies. They didn't get along and took every opportunity to insult and demean her. She and Lee were in the same boat there.

As much as he hated to do it Lee let Ramona convince him to avoid the confrontation with Andrew and his friends. She spied on Andy and Sandy when she could and tried to warn Lee about their plans. Over the few days remaining before Lee left home Ramona and he became close acquaintances if not friends.

Finally the day of departure arrived. Lee's grandfather took him to the bus station for his trip to the Marine recruit depot. Just before Lee boarded the bus his grandfather who was once a Marine Corporal said, "Now, you remember what I taught ya, son. You already know how to shoot and you know some of how a Marine fights in unarmed combat. You remember to stay clean, keep your gear clean, and don't sass your superiors. I know ya got a mouth on ya, but you just keep it under control. A good Marine don't sass his superiors and is always looking to do better. I done taught ya how to be a marine so ya should do good there. I don't expect no less of ya."

"I will, gramps. I'll be a good Marine. You and pa will be proud of me, I promise."

"Well, ya learn what they have to teach ya and remember to keep your head down and watch out for your buddies. You do that and they'll take care of you son."

It was a pretty short bus ride to Knoxville, TN, the nearest large town with an airport. From the bus station Lee used a cab to get to the airport. He had never flown before; hell he had never been to Knoxville before either. He had never seen so many cars and people. Then he saw the airplanes! Jesus! They were monsters. Reading about them and seeing pictures or TV didn't prepare him for the actual size of many of the planes."

Lee almost missed his flight just because he was gawking at all the people and new sights. He had got lucky and his ticket was for a window seat. He spent the entire flight looking out. They got so high he couldn't even see the ground.

Finally, after they landed at the end of his first flight Lee went to the reception desk the Corps set up to gather the new recruits. After they got all the people on the list they were loaded into a Marine bus by a neatly dressed young Corporal. It seemed he didn't know how to speak in a normal tone of voice. Already he was screaming and yelling at the new recruits. Many of the young men became angry. Lee just grinned and did whatever the Corporal said to do. He already knew you didn't make waves or draw attention to yourself. You did the best job you could as fast as you could and this time it was get your things and get your lazy civilian asses onto that there bus!

Once again Lee managed had a window seat and he spent the entire drive from the airport to Paris Island looking out the window. As soon as they entered the base he plastered his nose to the window watching the Marines in training. Some were marching; some running and doing PT (physical training) and others were just running from place to place. There were also many Marine vehicles of various types moving about. Lee's mouth was dry from his excitement. He was excitedly looking forward to his great adventure.

As soon as the bus stopped the Corporal stood and began screaming. He said, "Awright, now, lissen up! Get yer lazy asses offa this bus and fall into ranks just out there. I want one body standing on each painted square right now. Move, move, move."

The young men stood and rapidly exited the bus carrying the small overnight bag they were allowed to bring. After everyone was standing on a square an older man with Staff Sergeant's stripes addressed them. He said, "Awright, now, I'm gonna call the roll to be sure alla you civilians are here. When I call your name you answer 'Here, Sergeant'. If I give you a command you say 'yes, Sergeant' or 'no, Sergeant. If you don't know the answer you will say 'I will find out, Sergeant.' Do I make myself clear?"

The sergeant stood and looked at the new recruits in disgust and yelled once again, "What did I just tell you dope heads?" He repeated his instructions and stood watching the young recruits. Finally some of the young men gave him an anemic "Yes, Sergeant" in answer.

The Sergeant yelled once again saying, "What? I can't hear you!" This time almost all the young men yelled, "Yes Sergeant."

The Sergeant smiled and said, "That's better. Now listen up. I'll call the roll."

After all present had answered the Sergeant explained the procedures for the next few hours. He said, "OK, you know in general what we're going to do this afternoon and evening. The first thing we will do is get your hair cut. After you finish in the barber shop you will exit the shop and stand once again on your little square until everyone has their haircut. We will then begin completion of your personnel records and get your first issue of uniforms and equipment. Now, LISTEN UP. RIGHHHHHT FACE. Forward march. Hup, two, three, four. Hup two three four. Ok you morons, watch what you're doing. Take thirty inch steps. Your left foot hits the ground on Hup and three. Get in step. Your leeeffffft, your leeeffffft your left right leeeffffft. Hup two three four. Come on now, pick up the step. Your left right, leeeeffffft. Hup two three four."

At some point in time more men were added to the group Lee was in until they had enough to make a full Company of four Platoons. They were marched to a barracks carrying a Sea Bag mostly full of newly issued uniforms and equipment about 0100 hours. They were halted and called to attention. Their new Company Commander gave a short speech then turned the Company over to the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant (1Sgt.) turned the Company over to the Platoon Sergeants.

The PSG of Lee's Platoon stood looking at the assembled and exhausted new Marines. He said, "Awright, now, this is your home for the next several weeks. When I dismiss you I expect you to move in a rapid and orderly manner into the building behind you. You will move to the second floor and select a bunk. You will place your duffel beside your new rack. You will then make up your rack following the instructions you were given when you were issued your bedding. After your rack is made you will place your gear in your locker, again using the instructions you were given earlier. You will stand at attention at the end of your bunk when these tasks are completed and loudly state your name and 'done, Platoon Sergeant.' Either I or the Corporal will come and inspect your work. Do I make myself clear?"

"YES, SERGEANT."

"AWRIGHT. DISMISSED, FALL OUT."

After everyone chose a bunk the Platoon Sergeant stood at the end of the center aisle, put his hands on his hips and said, "Awright, now, the head is at the end of the corridor. I expect you all to shit, shower and shave every morning immediately after revile. You will then put on your uniform and fall out for training. Revile will be at 0430. Do I make myself clear here?"

"Yes, Sergeant."

"Good, now get your gear into those lockers and make those racks up so we can get to sleep."

The young recruits quickly put away their belongings and made up their beds (racks). Many of the young men had no idea how to make up their racks even with the printed instructions. The Sergeant and Corporal walked up and down the aisle giving instructions as needed. When the PSG came to Lee's bunk he stood and glared at him. The rack was neatly made, perfect corners, blanket on the rack and tucked in, sheet showing perfectly and the spare blanket neatly folded lying at the foot of the rack.

The Platoon Sergeant glared at Lee. He took a silver dollar from his pocket and flipped it onto the rack. It bounced once. The Sergeant looked again at Lee then picked up his coin. He barked, "Name?"

Lee stood to attention and said, "Robert E. Lee Rogers, Platoon Sergeant."

"Who taught you to make up a rack like that son?"

"My grand pappy and pappy, Platoon Sergeant. They were Marines also, Platoon Sergeant."

The Platoon Sergeant looked around and saw the rest of the recruits watching him and Lee. He glared at Lee a moment longer then turned back to the rest of the room and snarled, "What are you looking at? Get your asses back to work. When your rack is made up sound off. When everyone is done you can get your asses into your racks for some shut eye."

The Platoon Sergeant marched to the end of the aisle once again and stood watching as the laggards finished their work. He snarled, "Quiet, I don't expect to hear any noise in here." He turned the lights out and left the room.

Early the next morning loud speakers played revile just as the Platoon Sergeant slammed the door open, turned the lights on and began screaming, "Drop your cocks and grab your socks. Get your lazy asses outta those racks. MOVE IT. Get those racks made up and get cleaned up, then get yer asses outside and in formation. Ya got thirty minutes. Now, MOVE!"

Lee moved. He ran to the head and into the shower where he quickly soaped his entire body including his head and now almost nonexistent hair. He shaved while he was rinsing off the soap. After making sure his beard was gone he dried off and rushed back to his rack. Many of his fellow recruits were just stumbling into the head. A few were not even out of bed yet. The recruit in the upper bunk over Lee was one of those still in his rack. Lee looked up at him and said, "You better move your ass. That Sergeant will eat you alive if you don't move."

"AWWW, fuck him. It's still dark outside. This is bullshit."

"Man you better move. He told us we had to be in formation by 0500. You got ten minutes now."

The man slid from his rack and stumbled around. He said, "Fuck this shit. Man, this is bullshit."

He began rummaging in his locker and pulled a uniform from it then pulled it on. He sat on Lee's bunk to put on his boots. Lee grabbed him and pulled him off onto the floor. "Get your ass offa my bunk, asshole. Now I have to make it again. You never sit on someone's bunk and mess it up. Sit on the foot lockers or the floor."

While Lee was repairing his rack the young man said, "Fuck you. What's the big deal anyway?"

"You'll learn. Things have to be perfect here. You mess with your buddies bunk or things and get him in trouble and you don't get along. We have to cooperate and pull together. You know, teamwork. It's the only way to get through this or through combat. You better get your ass into the shower, too. You know he said shit, shower, and shave then dress and get into formation. You know he'll have your ass."

"Bullshit. He never gave us time to do all that. Now leave me alone. Crap, as dark as it is he'll never notice I didn't shower or shave anyway."

Lee shrugged and moved quickly out of the building to his assigned place in the formation. He was the third man out of the building. The Platoon Sergeant looked up at him then returned his eyesight to his watch. By that time many of the young men were moving slowly out of the building to find their places in the formation.

At exactly 0500 the Platoon Sergeant moved into the building and began screaming at the men still inside. As he passed each one he pushed them toward the door and said, "Move it. Get your lazy carcass out that door. He went into the latrine and emptied it. Some of the men were not even fully dressed when they were rushed outside. The corporal stopped each late man and took down his name as he came out of the barracks.

After everyone was in formation the Platoon Sergeant stood before the group and glared at them. He looked each man in the eye and shook his head. He said, "I don't know how I'm ever going to turn some of you into Marines. You're pathetic. Ok, you know the drill. I will call your name and you will answer 'here, Sergeant'."

After the roll was called the Platoon Sergeant took the clipboard from the Corporal and read off the names of those who were late exiting the barracks. He looked at the assembled recruits and said, "Those men whose names I just called will have an extra thirty minutes of training after knock off tonight. Maybe that will help them understand meeting deadlines and getting to formation on time. Tomorrow if anyone is late they will get an extra hour of training."

After the announcement of punishment for the laggards the recruits were marched to morning chow (breakfast). They were given thirty minutes to eat and get back into formation. After morning chow the recruits were marched back to their barracks where they took another hour to clean them. It was almost impossible for the recruits to get the level of cleanliness demanded by the sergeants and corporals. After the barracks were cleaned there was an hour of physical training then the recruits were marched to medical and further in processing.

The entire first week was filled with tests, in processing, medical, dental, and other administrative tasks. In the free time between in processing the new Marines were given instructions on other important job skills such as marching, basic soldering skills, barracks maintenance and cleaning, uniform protocol and so forth. There were also short classes in military courtesy and rank recognition. In short, they began to learn how to be Marines. For Lee and some of the other smarter men each day rapidly became easier. They all had aches and pains from the physical training but some took it easier than others.

Time progressed amazingly fast. Not surprisingly Lee took to the discipline and hard physical activity of Marine Corps Boot Camp. He knew what to expect from his family and was determined not to let them down and embarrass them. He was driven to succeed. Lee was small but wiry, in excellent physical shape from his years of hard work and tromping through the woods. Of course, his marksmanship was outstanding also. He quickly became a favorite of his Gunnery Sergeant/Drill Instructor. Naturally, this was not all good. That meant they kept their eyes closely on him and as all veterans know that is not a good thing. If your Drill Instructor knows your name he calls it many times for extra work. Lee was pressed into service to assist the trainers with his peers many times.

Unlike most of his peers who came from larger cities Lee enjoyed the training. Hell, most of it was much easier than the work he did at home. He excelled at unarmed combat training and learned numerous ways to take down opponents bare handed. He figured with his small size this training would be useful for the rest of his life so he put extra effort into it. Lee especially liked the field training. Crap, they actually paid him to tromp through the woods and camp out! On their final Field Training Exercise, Lee received a commendation. His platoon was part of the larger unit that was supposed to be involved in attacking a large heavily defended base. Lee's military skills and wood craft were held in high enough esteem that his sergeant allowed him and two of his friends to recon the position they were supposed to attack.

Lee and his friends quietly moved through the perimeter during their recon and set simulated explosive devices in and around the opposing forces command post, motor pool, and communication center. They then exfiltrated and reported to their sergeant.

The sergeant was pleased, skeptical, and pissed off all at the same time when they reported what they did. He said, "You assholes. I sent you on a reconnaissance mission. You were to do a recon and get your asses back here with the information we needed to make the attack. What if you were captured? Then we would lose more men because the enemy would know we were coming. In addition to that, we wouldn't have the intelligence you were sent to obtain. I don't know whether to kick your asses or pat you on the back. Come on. Let's go see the Lieutenant."

After seeing the Lieutenant, Lee and his buddies had to go to the company command post and report their findings and actions to the Captain. He looked at his watch and said, "Well, we'll see how well you did. Its ten minutes until the attack begins. You three stay with me and set off your explosives on my command. Lieutenant you and your Sergeant get back to your Platoon."

At the specified time the units began their attack. Just before the attack commenced the Company Commander gave Lee the order to set off his mines. Almost before the dust and smoke settled from the exploding mines (simulated) the attack began. There was only light and sporadic resistance from the unit being attacked. Lee's company swept through a hole in their defenses and moved on to the command post near the center of the attacked unit. They found referees standing around looking at the simulated casualties and grinning. The attack moved through the hole in the defensive perimeter and rolled up the opposition.