R & R THE OLD SERGEANT SERIES

http://steven.newton1.home.att.net/ ^ | 2004 | Steven J. Newton

[Steve Newton]

The old sergeant had been granted leave and it had come as sort of a surprise for the men in his platoon. Even though they had been fighting in Iraq for over a year they had never seen the sarge take leave. “I never even realized sarge had anyone to visit on leave,” one young trooper said. “Yeah, another said, the army is his family. He even has camouflaged blood.”

[Steve Newton]

R & R THE OLD SERGEANT SERIES By Chief Steve Newton

The old sergeant had been granted leave and it had come as sort of a surprise for the men in his platoon. Even though they had been fighting in Iraq for over a year they had never seen the sarge take leave. “I never even realized sarge had anyone to visit on leave,” one young trooper said. “Yeah, another said, the army is his family. He even has camouflaged blood.”

The old sergeant knew what was being said and he had gone through this before. He really didn’t have anyone to visit and nowhere to go. He had seen about everything and been everywhere he wanted and, truth be told, the army was making him take leave. But he wasn’t going to tell anyone he had nowhere to go. His platoon Lt had told him that he needed a rest and that his leave was just piling up.

Two weeks the old sergeant thought. What the HELL am I going to do for two weeks? Packing, the old sergeant cursed under his breath. Running for the convoy to Kuwait he caught the last truck in line. He sat in melancholy as the truck bounced on through the night.

He had finally dozed off when the convoy came to a sudden halt and his rifle was immediately in his hands. Jumping out he noticed that the convoy had stopped for an army platoon that had just came out of the night. They appeared disheveled and in disarray. He looked around and could find no one that outranked him so he approached a corporal in the newly arrived platoon and asked what was going on.

“We got caught in an ambush sergeant and we took some casualties including out platoon sergeant.” “So, which one of you idiots is in charge of this outfit?” the old sergeant asked. The corporal looked at his feet and said, “Gee sergeant I guess I am.”

Aww shit the old sergeant though to himself. “ What was your mission soldier?” “We were supposed to provide security and protect a bridge while the Big Red 1 passed by.” “Yeah, well you ain’t doing much protecting here are ya son.” Waving the convoy on, the old sergeant called the platoon together.

Well, I guess I’m your new sergeant until a replacement arrives. Relieved looks past around the men while the old sergeant got them organized, mapped out their mission, set out flankers and started them on the road back to the bridge.

Two weeks later the old sergeant arrived back at his platoons compound. He appeared tanned and relaxed and as he was reporting in, his Lt asked how the leave went. Very well, Sir. I’m refreshed and ready to get back into the heat of things.

The Lt eyed the old sergeant a little suspiciously and glancing at the sergeant’s rack he seemed to notice ANOTHER silver star that wasn’t there before. “Humm, the Lt said. Did you get to see your family sergeant?” A slight smile crossed the sergeant’s face as he turned to leave. “As a matter of fact, Sir, I did.”

Steve Newton

Newton’s Best of the Best Military Site Home of the “Old Sergeant Series” And “Patton Speaks.” http://steven.newton1.home.att.net/