Cross-country marching also tests the speed of the march. Although First Platoon and Third Platoon fell behind in the obstacle course, they wouldn't give up so easily; that wasn't the style of the Easy Company brothers. What's more, Lieutenant Sobel was there to supervise them.
Sergeant Lanny was already exhausted because it was a competition, and they had to race against time to arrive earlier. The pace was much faster than usual training, so much so that soldiers occasionally fell behind or even stumbled.
"I can't walk anymore! Lanny, this is hell." Edward couldn't help but complain. His legs felt like they were filled with lead, as if he could be blown over by the wind at any moment. "To hell with Sobel, I'd rather be punished with a run later. Right now, I just want to stop and catch my breath; I'm about to pass out!"
"Give me your rifle!" Although Lanny was also nearly out of breath, he still took Edward's rifle. "Do you want to earn your Parachutist Badge? And this is enough to defeat you?"
"Alright, Lanny, I guess I'll try to keep up!" Edward was practically shuffling forward. But he was still moving. First Platoon's performance was fifteen minutes faster than usual. In a ten-kilometer cross-country march, this was already good enough. Their previous scores were considered top-notch even at Battalion HQ and battalion headquarters, but today's performance was even better.
Captain Sobel was very satisfied with First Platoon's performance; he knew it was incredibly difficult. But despite his inner satisfaction, an unpleasant expression still lingered on his face, and his brows were furrowed.
Third Platoon performed even better, arriving five minutes earlier than Second Platoon. So, what about Second Platoon?
"You know what? First Platoon and Third Platoon both went all out today!" Cobb joked among the ranks. Second Platoon had started half an hour after Third Platoon.
"I knew those guys wouldn't give up easily!" Guarnere was always a lively one; even during a march, he couldn't control his mouth.
"Silence!" Winters whispered to the two.
Guarnere stopped talking. But Parks spoke up.
"Sir, request to speak!"
Winters looked at him: "Speak, Sergeant, request granted!"
Parks then said: "We've already covered almost half the distance. If we don't pick up the pace, I'm afraid we won't meet Captain Sobel's requirements!"
"Why?" Winters hesitated for a moment.
Parks continued: "If we only arrive a little bit earlier than them this time, Captain Sobel will definitely think we just got lucky. But if we can perform ten minutes or even longer ahead of their best-performing platoon, then it's not just luck; it means we have that capability."
Winters considered it for a moment, then nodded and said: "You're right, we should speed up the march!"
This was no longer something that could be changed by simply winning. Second Platoon needed a big win to demonstrate its uniqueness, to have enough reason to shut Sobel up, and to attract Colonel Sink's attention.
The pace quietly quickened, and eventually, all the officers and soldiers of Second Platoon began to jog. Although some of them were also exhausted, they, like the soldiers of First and Third Platoons, gritted their teeth and persevered.
Moore's face was pale, and pea-sized beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"What's wrong?" Parks passed a few people and ran to Moore's side. He knew that Moore's stomach ache might have started again! Simple acupressure couldn't solve the problem, and it was impossible to stop and give him a massage now.
"Nothing. I can hold on!" Moore tried to smile at Parks to show that he was fine, but the smile he forced out was uglier than crying.
"Give me your gun!" At this moment, White, who was beside Moore, suddenly interjected.
Parks stopped him and said with a smile: "Still, give it to me, you're exhausted enough as it is!" With that, he took the gun despite Moore's protests. "You know, I'm stronger than two lions."
Moore also didn't object, and the group accelerated towards their destination.
The final result indeed left Sobel speechless. Second Platoon's score was about fifteen minutes ahead of the best-performing Third Platoon, which was already enough. Sobel knew he couldn't say anything more. He was willing to see Easy Company improve from now on, but this time, it seemed Lieutenant Winterss and Sergeant Parks were stealing the show, and it had little to do with him. This was what bothered him the most.
"I didn't expect that Sergeant named Parks to come up with such a training method!" Lieutenant Colonel Strayer, after receiving the results of Easy Company's three platoons, said to Colonel Sink at the battalion headquarters command post with delight.
Colonel Sink took the results and also smiled. This was already very rare; a significant improvement in a short time was exactly what he needed. If this method were promoted throughout the regiment, it would be a huge asset for the 506th Regiment. The soldiers' quality would further improve, and their survival rate on the battlefield and effectiveness in eliminating the enemy would greatly increase.
"Arrange for me to meet Sergeant Parks and Lieutenant Winterss," Colonel Sink ordered.
Lieutenant Colonel Strayer relayed Colonel Sink's order.
When the orderly found Parks, he was surrounded by all the soldiers of Easy Company outside the camp.
"Parks, it seems you've been Second Platoon's God this time; you saved all of them!" Lanny shouted at Parks, somewhat unconvinced.
"Hey, Lanny, Parks isn't God, he's a wizard! I saw him with my own eyes press his fingers on Moore's leg and wrist a few times, and Moore's stomach ache immediately stopped. What do you say he is if not a wizard?" Guarnere couldn't help but blurt out, then turned to look at Parks and chuckled, "Are you sure you're not Native American? As far as I know, Native American wizards are very powerful."
Some people burst into laughter. Parks laughed and said: "I'm not Native American. That technique of mine is called acupressure, it comes from ancient China, it's very magical. But this is thanks to my neighbor, he's a doctor who came from China." Parks casually made up an excuse to avoid them pressing for more details.
"Oh, hearing you say that, I'm quite interested in China now. Are there as many wizards there as there are Native Americans?" Guarnere said with a grin, "But you have to teach me that trick!"
"Of course, why not?" Parks nodded. He could only feel helpless about Guarnere's ignorant remarks about China. Ordinary Americans nowadays simply wouldn't care that there was a country called China across the ocean. As for what that country was like, it was clear that most people, like Guarnere, found it full of mystery and confusion, just like Native American witchcraft.
Just then, a jeep drove up and stopped outside the crowd. A Sergeant got out.
"Who is Sergeant Parks?" The Sergeant looked around. Everyone turned their heads to look at him.
"That's me!" Parks squeezed out of the crowd.
"Please come with us, Colonel Sink and Lieutenant Colonel Strayer want to see you!" The Sergeant nodded at Parks.
Parks knew it was probably about the training. Without another word, he jumped into the car. The jeep roared, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Brothers, it looks like we're going to be like Second Platoon too," Lanny shouted with a laugh.
"What about Sobel?" Someone said.
"Is Captain Sobel a higher rank than Colonel Sink?" At this moment, Buck Compton jumped out, "This time, we should thank Parks and Lieutenant Winterss."
The brothers of Easy Company knew that Parks' training method being approved was only a matter of time. Since Colonel Sink himself was personally inquiring about it, what else could Sobel do?
Indeed, Sobel was already helpless. He was annoyed by Lieutenant Winterss' outstanding performance during this period of training. Now, looking at the trend, many of the Easy Company brothers showed great favor towards Winters, while keeping their distance from him, their Company Commander.
"Thank you for your contributions to Easy Company and the 506th Regiment!" Colonel Sink, surprisingly, poured a glass of wine for Winters and Parks during the reception. "I want to implement this training method in Easy Company, and if it's proven effective again, I will promote it throughout the regiment. However, during the promotion process, I still have some questions. Is the Dantian related to breathing?"
It was clear that Colonel Sink, like the other soldiers before him, couldn't understand. What they emphasized were scientifically verifiable principles.
Of course, Parks had to explain again.
It was unclear whether Colonel Sink ultimately understood, but there were no longer any obstacles to Easy Company implementing this method. Colonel Sink personally signed the order for the training regulations.
"Lieutenant Winterss, you are a good officer!" Finally, when they parted, Sink shook hands with Winters.
"And you, Parks. I believe you will do even better in the future!" Sink also shook Parks' hand. "Of course, as a Sergeant, you will also make greater contributions to the promotion of training in Easy Company."
"Sir?" Parks thought he had misheard. Sergeant? Another promotion?
Gentle Reminder: The website is about to be revamped, which may result in loss of reading progress. Please save your "Bookshelf" and "Reading History" (screenshots recommended) in time. We apologize for any inconvenience caused!