Each company needs a company commander, an executive officer, and three platoon leaders. The combat support company will hold the battalion’s mortars and heavy anti-armor weapons. We need leaders as company commanders. We also need a new S4 for the regiment. In any case, we need to separate the soldiers into our five companies.”
“Well, it wiped out the whole morning. However, I think it went pretty good. Let’s see how the troopers have done with their tasks.
“Katharine, form up the unit please.”
“Please, call me Katie.”
I waited for Katie to form up the unit before going outside. To my surprise, all work was completed. The sidewalk area was outstanding but not how I wanted it done. I went to Carl and stood in front of him.
“What did I tell you to do?”
“We did as you asked.”
“No, you half-buried the rocks. I said to lay them next to the sidewalk.”
“This way is better, sir. The rocks will stay put.”
“This way is better, but my orders must be followed to the letter. If you have a better way, tell me first. Then I will decide whether to approve or disapprove of the idea. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir. Next time, I will ask you.”
“Everyone will move to the entrance to the barracks.”
When everyone moved, I ordered Carl Stanley posted in front of me.
“If I call you to post, you will move and stand in front of me. If I call your name, fall in on Captain Stanley.”
Carl’s jaw dropped, but he closed his mouth and stood silent as I called off the names for alpha company.
“Judith Starling, right here for you.”
I called off names for Bravo Company.
“Steve Ramirez, right here for you.”
I called off names for Charlie Company.
“Donald Benson, right here for you.”
I called off names for Delta Company.
“Mary Stephens, right next to Alpha Company.”
I called off the names for headquarters and headquarters company. I called up James Barlow to be my S4.
“I want to see all commanders right after formation. Commanders, take command of your units and dismiss them for lunch.”
I watched my new commanders. They were really good for newbies.
I walked with my new officers to another barracks. In the operations office was a table with lunch prepared for my staff and commanders. After lunch, we moved on to the S1 office. There were brandy snifters for everyone. I poured a glass for everyone.
Katie asked, “Is this proper?”
“This is for the ceremony. Katie, post these orders for me—I mean, read them, please.”
Katie read, “Attention to orders.”
Everyone snapped to attention.
“This is to certify that Candice Stephanie Johnson is promoted to the rank of captain as of 9 June, 2127.”
I pinned captain bars on Candice. Candice read the orders as I pinned rank on the rest of my staff and commanders. We drank to their new promotions.
“Jim, I have special codes to order supplies and equipment with. These are our buildings for the next fourteen months. Each company has an arms room in the lower floor to hold their weapons and ammunition. We should get a lot of normal unit supplies, tents, field desks, printers, paper, and such in the next few days.”
I heard my phone ring in my office. I answered my phone. “COL Preston speaking.”
I listened to the call, gave our building numbers, and then hung up.
“It seems we have some supplies just minutes away. Formation will be in five minutes. We will have the soldiers unload the trucks into the S4 for inventory.”
I answered a second call and gave the caller the building number.
“Stan, let the troopers know formation will be a little late.”
“What’s the reason for a late formation?”
“Our colors are arriving in a few minutes.”
“What are our colors?
“Our colors consist of the nation’s flag. Our unit flag is a medium blue flag with an eagle symbol and the unit motto on it. Each company will have a small twin-tailed flag for their guidon with company/battalion/regimental designation with branch symbol. Ours is crossed rifles on a medium blue flag. When the colors arrive, we will get things organized.”
A dozen semitrucks arrived first. I sent the drivers to the mess hall to get lunch. A green army van arrived five minutes later with our colors. I grabbed six troopers to carry the colors to my office. I let the troopers stay as I unboxed the items. I put a flag stand behind my desk. I removed several flag staffs, putting one together, slid the national flag onto it, and placed it in the flag stand.
“I need one trooper from each company, five from HHC. These troopers will be guidon bearers for each company. Two troopers from HHC will carrier the battalion colors and national flag. The last two will be the colors honor guard. I pulled out the battalion colors. They were First Battalion, 289th Infantry Regiment. Digging deeper into the box, I found our regimental colors as well as colors for the other two battalions.
“I was promoted for this assignment. This is the first of three battalions for the regiment. I need to find out what is going on. Katie, take command of the battalion. Keep the troopers busy while I’m gone.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Washington DC to find some answers.”
I caught the early morning shuttle to Washington DC, and I called a friend of mine, Robert Albright from the airport.
“Hi, Bob, can you fill me in about the 289th Infantry Regiment?”
“Where did you hear about that unit?”
“Meet me for lunch at Mary’s and I’ll tell you.”
“OK, 1:00 p.m. for lunch.”
I called Jane Minder, the assistant secretary of the army for manpower and reserve affairs.
“Hi, this is Jane Minder.”
“How are you doing, Jane?”
“Jim, how have you been?”
“I’m doing good, but I need some information.”
“OK, how can I help.”
“What do you know about the 289th Infantry Regiment.”
“I know a lot about the unit but nothing I can tell you. How do you know about the unit?”
“I’m the commander of the regiment.”
“Can you call me back in thirty minutes?”
“Sure, I’ll talk to you then.”
Jane is a good friend, but she’s checking out my story about the unit. I ordered coffee at a small cafe and waited. Jane called me back in twenty minutes.
“Hi, Jane, got anything for me.”
“It will cost you dinner for the information.”
“The usual place for dinner?”
“Oh, you know me so well. 6:00 p.m. then.”
I thought about seeing Jane again. “That’s fine with me.”
I called Katie to see how she was holding up. “Anything going