Read Online Looking Glass 4 - Claws That Catch by John Ringo - Free Book Online
Authors: John Ringo
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you're back, I don't really have anything for you, yet. You still need to see the CO and get his in-process speech and he's on his way back from a meeting with General Zanuck.
“I can tell you about your duties,” Lieutenant Ross continued, grinning evilly. “Now that you are here, and assuredly the most junior lieutenant seeing as the other two platoon leaders are first lieutenants, you get to take over the Dog Duties.”
“Here it comes,” Eric said, sitting down.
“Here are the unit VD reports,” Rog said, sliding over a thick file folder. “Not much in the way of positives, but you're also required to do the mandatory training classes on prophylaxis and the paperwork showing that the classes have been successfully completed by all junior enlisted members of the company. Officers and senior NCOs are not required to attend but are encouraged.”
“Yeah, like Top's going to take a VD course,” Eric said, picking up the file.
“I would find it unlikely,” Ross said, grinning. “Note that most of this stuff is database based. In addition to my other duties, I'll need to familiarize you with the company management system. I could wish you'd spent time as an operations sergeant or even a company clerk; that would have sped the transition to your new lofty status. As it is, I'll just hope that you learn quickly.”
“I'm generally a quick study, sir,” Eric replied.
“One can only hope,” the XO said, sliding over another file. “Unit morale and welfare officer. You are in charge of the MWR inventory and will need to do a full inventory of same for turnover. You are also responsible for a monthly report on MWR issues with the company, including an itemization of MWR inventory usage and explanation of non-usage if it falls below a certain time matrix. Sports, especially, are highly encouraged by the Marine Corps so if the Marines of Bravo Company don't use their baseball bats and footballs, the commandant wants to know why!”
“Gung-ho, sir,” Eric replied. “I'll try to make sure we play with the commandant's balls.”
“Motorcycle defensive driving officer,” the XO continued, sliding over another file. “There are nine motorcyclists in the company. You are to ensure that each is up-to-date at all times in their insurance and training on motorcycle defensive driving courses. Two of them haven't attended MDDC, yet, so you're going to have to find them a slot in the next two weeks.”
“Sir, we're leaving on a mission in less than two weeks,” Berg pointed out.
“That's what makes your new job so fun,” Ross replied, coldheartedly. “Not to mention mine. You will fill out the appropriate forms to point out that, due to exigencies of service, they were unable to fulfill their mandatory training and request an extension upon return and sign swearing and affirming on your soul as an officer that it's all true so help you God really. I will then review them, require you to fix any necessary corrections and the CO will then countersign them.”
“At the rate this company loses people, most of them aren't going to,” Eric said, chuckling. “Complete the course at a later date that is. I suppose there's another form we have to submit explaining that they're not in violation, they're dead?”
“Normally, if a young lieutenant said something like that I'd jump their ass,” the XO replied. “In your case, given that you were around for most of those losses, I'll let it slide. But you might want to avoid saying that sort of thing around the troops.”
“Wasn't planning on it, sir,” Eric said. “Sorry.”
“It is, however, true,” Ross admitted, sighing. “I had no grapping clue the casualty rate of this unit when I volunteered. As XO no less. Where was I? Ah! Unit inventory officer . . .”
“HD 242896.”
The briefing officer was a Navy commander, an old one. The ribbons on his uniform indicated that he had never been anywhere or done anything that involved hearing shots
“I can tell you about your duties,” Lieutenant Ross continued, grinning evilly. “Now that you are here, and assuredly the most junior lieutenant seeing as the other two platoon leaders are first lieutenants, you get to take over the Dog Duties.”
“Here it comes,” Eric said, sitting down.
“Here are the unit VD reports,” Rog said, sliding over a thick file folder. “Not much in the way of positives, but you're also required to do the mandatory training classes on prophylaxis and the paperwork showing that the classes have been successfully completed by all junior enlisted members of the company. Officers and senior NCOs are not required to attend but are encouraged.”
“Yeah, like Top's going to take a VD course,” Eric said, picking up the file.
“I would find it unlikely,” Ross said, grinning. “Note that most of this stuff is database based. In addition to my other duties, I'll need to familiarize you with the company management system. I could wish you'd spent time as an operations sergeant or even a company clerk; that would have sped the transition to your new lofty status. As it is, I'll just hope that you learn quickly.”
“I'm generally a quick study, sir,” Eric replied.
“One can only hope,” the XO said, sliding over another file. “Unit morale and welfare officer. You are in charge of the MWR inventory and will need to do a full inventory of same for turnover. You are also responsible for a monthly report on MWR issues with the company, including an itemization of MWR inventory usage and explanation of non-usage if it falls below a certain time matrix. Sports, especially, are highly encouraged by the Marine Corps so if the Marines of Bravo Company don't use their baseball bats and footballs, the commandant wants to know why!”
“Gung-ho, sir,” Eric replied. “I'll try to make sure we play with the commandant's balls.”
“Motorcycle defensive driving officer,” the XO continued, sliding over another file. “There are nine motorcyclists in the company. You are to ensure that each is up-to-date at all times in their insurance and training on motorcycle defensive driving courses. Two of them haven't attended MDDC, yet, so you're going to have to find them a slot in the next two weeks.”
“Sir, we're leaving on a mission in less than two weeks,” Berg pointed out.
“That's what makes your new job so fun,” Ross replied, coldheartedly. “Not to mention mine. You will fill out the appropriate forms to point out that, due to exigencies of service, they were unable to fulfill their mandatory training and request an extension upon return and sign swearing and affirming on your soul as an officer that it's all true so help you God really. I will then review them, require you to fix any necessary corrections and the CO will then countersign them.”
“At the rate this company loses people, most of them aren't going to,” Eric said, chuckling. “Complete the course at a later date that is. I suppose there's another form we have to submit explaining that they're not in violation, they're dead?”
“Normally, if a young lieutenant said something like that I'd jump their ass,” the XO replied. “In your case, given that you were around for most of those losses, I'll let it slide. But you might want to avoid saying that sort of thing around the troops.”
“Wasn't planning on it, sir,” Eric said. “Sorry.”
“It is, however, true,” Ross admitted, sighing. “I had no grapping clue the casualty rate of this unit when I volunteered. As XO no less. Where was I? Ah! Unit inventory officer . . .”
“HD 242896.”
The briefing officer was a Navy commander, an old one. The ribbons on his uniform indicated that he had never been anywhere or done anything that involved hearing shots
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