Chapter 11: Record
Easy Company's training gradually shifted toward the standards of the airborne, which meant it was no longer just about physical fitness and running. Despite the increased difficulty, every man in Easy Company managed to grit his teeth and persevere.
The obstacle course alone was enough to make the brothers of Easy Company cry out in misery. The battalion commander, Major Oliver Horton, was also an enthusiast who wanted to forge Easy Company into the best of the best, a goal he shared with Sobel.
The first obstacle course training was set up within the camp grounds and included numerous challenges: wading through water, running through a fire pit, crawling through tunnels, climbing walls, and more. This kind of training wasn't much different from the basic training Rhys had experienced in his past life, and for his current physical condition, it was a piece of cake.
"Parks, are you a beast?" a panting Buck Compton said from behind Rhys as they crossed a water-filled ditch. "Or maybe you're an eagle. How else could you be so accurate with darts?"
Rhys glanced back at Buck as he ran and smiled. "Lieutenant, if you keep talking this much, I guarantee you'll fall even further behind."
He wasn't wrong. Rhys had already flown across the ditch.
"Damn it, why did they have to dig this ditch deeper than my waist?" Tipper cursed.
"Quit complaining. You're lucky they didn't make the water go over your head," Luz joked from nearby, though it was clear he was exhausted as well.
By the time Rhys was out of the ditch, most of Easy Company's soldiers were still wading through the water. Even Buck Compton, who had been right behind him, had yet to climb out.
"Who is that man?" Major Horton asked Captain Sobel, pointing at Rhys, who was now running swiftly and nimbly through a trench filled with burning, oil-soaked rags. "His conditioning is excellent! If every soldier in my battalion were like him, who in the 506th could possibly be our rival, Captain Sobel?"
Horton was the battalion commander, in charge of three companies, and was Sobel's direct superior.
Sobel hesitated for a moment before answering, "Major, that is Sergeant Rhys Parks. As you said, he is an exceptionally fine NCO. It is precisely for that reason that I made the exception and promoted him from Private to Sergeant. I see great potential in him."
Horton nodded and smiled. "I have always believed you to be an excellent leader, and it seems I was not mistaken. I want Easy Company to be the best, under your command!"
"You can count on it, Major, sir!" Sobel puffed out his chest.
Rhys's performance was indeed outstanding. Even when faced with a nearly four-meter wall after crawling through a tunnel, Rhys accelerated, took a single bounding step, planted his left foot on the side of the wall, and his right hand caught the top edge. Using his momentum, his right foot was already on top, and he vaulted over the wall with ease.
"Whoa!" A chorus of gasps came from behind him. Clearly, the soldiers still struggling far behind were stunned by Rhys's stylish and effortless maneuver.
"Six minutes, thirty-one seconds!" Major Horton said, looking at the stopwatch in his hand as he walked over to Rhys. Captain Sobel followed closely behind him, his face unreadable.
"Sir!" Rhys stood at perfect attention and saluted them both.
"Congratulations, Sergeant Parks. You've broken the record. You know, a time like this would be impossible even at West Point. I believe you are now one of the finest soldiers in the United States," Horton said, looking thrilled.
Horton's statement was no exaggeration. The record at West Point was nearly forty seconds slower than this. It was a truly remarkable achievement. And if this record were reported to the regiment, it would be a record set by a soldier from Horton's 2nd Battalion. In any case, it was a joyous occasion. Even Sobel, who held some resentment toward Rhys, couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Thank you, sir!" Rhys remained composed. He knew that if he earned Major Horton's admiration, it would be hard to predict what Sobel might think or do about him.
"I hear your hand-to-hand combat is also quite impressive," Horton said. Sobel had told him. Sobel's original intent had been to portray Rhys as an undisciplined troublemaker, but Horton had a different perspective; he had focused only on the part of the story where Rhys had heroically fought four men at once.
"I believe so, sir," Rhys said, seeing no need for false modesty. This could be an asset for future promotions.
"Keep up the good work, Sergeant," Major Horton said, clapping him on the shoulder. He then smiled at Sobel. "Your decision was the correct one. We should give more opportunities to outstanding soldiers like him, let them have a chance to become leaders."
"Um… I suppose so," Sobel hesitated, but finally nodded.
By the time Horton and Sobel left, the rest of Easy Company had completed the course. They all crowded around Rhys.
"Looks like we'll have to start calling you Staff Sergeant Parks soon," White said with a grin. Despite being covered in mud, he gave Rhys a tight hug.
"Hey, Parks, what are you made of?" Guarnere came over and squeezed Rhys's arm. "Don't tell me that's beef."
The men of Easy Company roared with laughter. Christenson shouted, "That's right, isn't that a bull we're looking at? Brothers, get out your knives! We're having roast beef tonight!"
"Get lost, Christenson. I'm a lion. Does a little lamb like you really want to mess with a lion? Who do you think is going to eat who?" Rhys joked back.
This was how the brothers of Easy Company were. Even when they were dead tired, a bit of friendly banter could quickly erase the pain and exhaustion of training.
"Tell us, how did you do it? I think I heard Major Horton saying something about a 'record'. What record did you break?" Buck Compton walked over. "Let's hear what our lion has to say. Tell us about the record, you big lion!"
"Well," Rhys cleared his throat and smiled. "Major Horton said my time on the obstacle course was forty seconds faster than the record at West Point. He said it was a remarkable achievement."
"Ooooh—" A wave of astonished and impressed sounds came from the crowd.
"Parks, why don't you teach me?" Hoobler, still catching his breath, pushed his way through the crowd. "If Sobel finds out I finished last, he's going to torture me to death."
"Why not?" Rhys looked at Hoobler and smiled. "I'd be happy to."
"Ah-oh!" Another round of envious cheers went up from the men.
Just then, a sharp whistle blew.
"Let's fall in, brothers," Buck Compton said. The men saw Lieutenant Winters walking over.
The crowd immediately dispersed, forming up in their respective platoons.
"Good work, Parks," Winters said with a smile as Rhys fell in. "You're the best soldier I've ever seen. Bar none." This was the second time Winters had said something like this to Rhys.
Rhys knew that for Winters to say this, it meant he had his complete and total approval.
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
The three platoons of Easy Company stood in formation, with only small gaps between them. Captain Sobel stood at the front, accompanying Major Horton as they reviewed the company.
"Your performance today was excellent," Major Horton said. Though strict, he wasn't above praising the men of Easy. "You are the finest company I have ever seen."
The men of Easy Company couldn't help but stand a little straighter.
"Sergeant Parks, in particular, has left a deep impression on me," Horton continued. It was rare for him to single out an individual for praise during a company address, but considering Rhys's performance, it was understandable. When you have a record breaker in your company, why hold back on the praise?
Major Horton's words greatly boosted the morale of the men.
But after Horton left, Sobel's words soured their mood once again.
"Although our company has performed well enough, I must warn you that to be the best, you must redouble your efforts! We are going to increase the training volume!"
'Here we go again', Rhys thought, glancing sideways at the men. All of them looked dejected.
"Private Hoobler!" Sobel suddenly shouted. "Front and center!"
"Yes, sir!" Hoobler stepped forward and stood before the formation.
"Get your gear and run it again from the top!" Sobel roared at him. "We have no room for cowards here!"