Chapter 15: Promotion, Again
The cross-country march was also a competition of speed. Although First and Third Platoons had fallen behind in the obstacle course, they weren't about to give up. That wasn't the style of the brothers of Easy Company. Furthermore, Captain Sobel was watching over them.
Sergeant Ranney was exhausted. Because it was a competition, every second counted, and they had to push to finish as early as possible. The pace was much faster than their usual training, and soldiers frequently fell behind or even collapsed.
"I can't go on, Ranney! This is hell," Private Edward complained. His legs felt like they were filled with lead, and it seemed a gust of wind could blow him over. "To hell with Sobel. I'd rather he make me run laps later. Right now, I just want to stop and catch my breath. I can barely breathe!"
"Give me your rifle," Ranney said. Though he was also nearing his limit, he took Edward's weapon. "Do you want to earn your jump wings? You're going to let this beat you?"
"Alright, Ranney, I'll try to keep up," Edward said, practically shuffling forward. But he was still moving.
First Platoon finished fifteen minutes ahead of their usual time. For a ten-kilometer cross-country march, that was an excellent result. Their previous times were already among the best in the battalion and even the regiment, but today they had managed to do even better.
Captain Sobel was very satisfied with First Platoon's performance; he knew this was no easy feat. But despite his satisfaction, his face remained unpleasant, and his brow was furrowed.
Third Platoon's performance was even better. They finished five minutes ahead of First Platoon. So what about Second Platoon?
"You know, First and Third Platoon really went all out today," Cobb joked from within the ranks. Second Platoon had set off half an hour after Third.
"I knew those guys wouldn't give up easily," Guarnere, ever the live wire, said, unable to keep his mouth shut even on a march.
"Quiet," Winters said to them in a low voice.
Guarnere fell silent. But then Rhys spoke up.
"Sir, permission to speak."
Winters looked at him. "Go ahead, Sergeant. Permission granted."
"We're about halfway through, sir," Rhys said. "If we don't pick up the pace, I'm afraid we won't meet Captain Sobel's expectations."
"Why do you say that?" Winters asked after a moment's hesitation.
"If we only beat them by a small margin this time," Rhys continued, "Captain Sobel will surely dismiss it as luck. But if we can beat the best-performing platoon by ten minutes or more, then it's no longer luck. It's proof that we have that level of capability."
Winters considered this, then nodded. "You're right. We need to increase our pace."
A simple win was no longer enough to change things. Second Platoon needed a decisive victory to prove they were different, to give Sobel no room to argue, and to truly capture Colonel Sink's attention.
The pace quietly quickened, and soon all the men of Second Platoon were at a trot. Though some were exhausted, they, like the men of the other platoons, gritted their teeth and persevered.
More's face was pale, and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"What's wrong?" Rhys asked, weaving past several men to run alongside him. He knew More's stomach pain must have returned. Acupressure alone couldn't solve the problem, and they certainly couldn't stop now for another treatment.
"It's nothing. I can handle it," More said. He tried to smile at Rhys to show he was alright, but the expression he managed was uglier than a grimace.
"Give me your rifle," White suddenly interjected from More's other side.
Rhys stopped him with a smile. "Let me take it. You're exhausted enough as it is." Without waiting for More to object, he took the rifle. "You know me. I can do it."
More didn't object. The group accelerated toward their destination.
The final result left Sobel truly speechless. Second Platoon finished about fifteen minutes ahead of the best time set by Third Platoon. It was more than enough. Sobel knew he had nothing left to say. He was willing to see Easy Company become better, but the fact that Lieutenant Winters and Sergeant Parks were getting all the glory, and he had little to do with it, was what bothered him the most.
***
"I can't believe that Sergeant named Parks could come up with such a training method," Lieutenant Colonel Strayer said to Colonel Sink, looking pleased as he reviewed the results from the three platoons in the regimental command post.
Colonel Sink took the report and also smiled. This was a rare achievement. A significant improvement in such a short time was exactly what he needed. If this method were implemented throughout the regiment, it would be a huge asset to the 506th. The soldiers' conditioning would improve, which would in turn greatly increase their survival rate and combat effectiveness on the battlefield.
"Arrange a meeting for me. I want to see Sergeant Parks and Lieutenant Winters," Colonel Sink ordered.
Lieutenant Colonel Strayer relayed the command.
When the runner found Rhys outside the camp, he was surrounded by all the men of Easy Company.
"Parks, it looks like you played God for Second Platoon today. You saved them all," Sergeant Ranney shouted at Rhys, a hint of a challenge in his voice.
"Hey, Ranney, Parks isn't God, he's a wizard," Guarnere couldn't help but say. "I saw it with my own eyes. He pressed Moore's leg and wrist a few times with his fingers, and his stomach ache stopped immediately. If he's not a wizard, what is he?" He turned to Rhys and grinned. "Are you sure you're not Native American? From what I know, their wizards are very powerful."
Some of the men laughed. Rhys smiled back. "I'm not Native American. That technique is called acupressure And it's quite amazing. But I learned it from my neighbor, who was a doctor from China." Rhys quickly invented a reason to stop them from prying further.
"Oh, hearing you say that makes me really interested in China. Do they have as many wizards as the Native Americans?" Guarnere asked with a grin. "But you have to teach me that trick."
"Of course, why not?" Rhys nodded. He could only sigh at Guarnere's ignorance about China. The average American at this time didn't care about the country on the other side of the ocean. As for what that country was like, most of them were like Guarnere, full of mystery and confusion, associating it with things like Native American shamanism.
Just then, a jeep drove up and stopped outside the crowd. A sergeant got out.
"Who is Sergeant Parks?" the sergeant asked, looking around. The men all turned to look at him.
"That's me," Rhys said, pushing his way through the crowd.
"Please come with us. Colonel Sink and Lieutenant Colonel Strayer want to see you," the sergeant said with a nod.
Rhys knew it had to be about the training. Without a second thought, he jumped into the vehicle. The jeep roared to life, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Brothers, it looks like we're all going to be like Second Platoon now!" Ranney shouted with a laugh.
"What about Sobel?" someone asked.
"Is Captain Sobel a higher rank than Colonel Sink?" Buck Compton piped up. "This time, we have Parks and Lieutenant Winters to thank."
The brothers of Easy Company knew it was only a matter of time before Rhys's training methods were approved. If Colonel Sink himself was getting involved, what could Sobel possibly do?
Indeed, Sobel was powerless. He was annoyed that Lieutenant Winters had performed so outstandingly during this period. It was clear that many of the men in Easy now held a great affection for Winters, while they kept their distance from him, their own company commander.
***
"Thank you for your contribution to Easy Company and the 506th Regiment," Colonel Sink said, surprisingly pouring a glass of liquor for both Winters and Rhys during the meeting. "I want to implement this training method throughout Easy Company, and if it's validated again, I will roll it out to the entire regiment. However, I still have some questions about the process."
It was clear that Colonel Sink, just like the grunts, couldn't quite grasp the concept. They were all accustomed to scientifically verifiable principles.
Of course, Rhys had to explain it all over again.
Whether Colonel Sink ultimately understood it or not, there were no longer any obstacles to implementing the method in Easy Company. The Colonel personally signed the order amending the training regulations.
"Lieutenant Winters, you are a fine officer," Sink said, shaking his hand as they prepared to leave.
"And you, Parks. I'm confident you will do even better in the future," Sink said, also shaking Rhys's hand. "Of course, as a Staff Sergeant, you will have an even greater contribution to make to Easy Company's training."
"Sir?" Rhys thought he had misheard.
'Staff Sergeant? Promoted again?'
*****
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