Marcus Menethit's Story

Smiling to himself as he listens to his squad well waiting for everyone to have a sit. As the last of Charlie squad arrive, "Ok every secure the loose talk. First off, congratulations on making it this far. As you know this is your last step before graduation. You have one last hurdle... me. Prove yourselves out there today, both as an individual and as a team, and you have nothing to worry about. I know it might be a little hard seeing as you all come from different training groups but... GET OVER IT!! Through out your time in the core you well have to work with a lot of different people. If your lucky you will get to work alongside the people in this room for your whole enlistment, but there is a good chance of you being a signed to different units. For now I will do my best to lead you. I normally serve with Bravo squad who was my squad during our training cruise. It has also been my honor to have served alongside the two officers here since our cruise. The LCDR is in charge of our gunships, call sign Echo One. She has been flying gunships her whole career. In fact she was the first to fly a Valkyrie in combat, before it was fully tested mind you. The LT call sign Cobra one has been our dropship pilot of choose since I first stepped foot on a dropship in boot camp. On this mission I am not going to hold your hand and treat you like trainees. As far as I am concerned you all are Marines and I will treat you as such."

The Gunny signs, "Ok Marines I'm not going to lie to you. Command is calling this an easy day, or a routine mission. Even gave us a target window of six hours. I don't see it that way. Every time we gear up, remember the old saying, 'The only easy day was yesterday.' Every mission we go on maybe our last. As such I will not promise to bring you all back alive. I will promise to do my best to bring as many of you back alive as I can and that Marines don't leave a man behind. So now that we got all that out of the way. This is our battle plan, we will fast rope onto an old rock slide, code name Simon's spin, on the back side of our first hill, code named Simon. Once we reach the summit there will be a rock overhang code name Simon's bill. Bravo, I want you to pack heavy. You will set up on the bill. From there you should have clear line of sight across the tops of the other hill straight to the Citadel. Alpha and Charlie will make our way down the hill to a stream code named Nile. Once one the other side we make our way up the second hill, code name Theodore. At the summit, Charlie will setup a two man observation post. Alpha and the rest of Charlie will make our way down the hill. Part way down we'll find a good spot to make a quick fall back spot before continuing. At the bottom we reach our first problem, a river code named Rhine. Charlie, you are incharge of the river crossing. You'll leave three of you on either side. Alpha will push up the third hill code name Alvin. Once we scout the summit, I'll active the becon to call in the army. At that point all of Charlie make your way to our position. Bravo, I want you to hold till the second wave of Marines can releave you, then meet up with us. Once Charlie gets to us, we will make our way to the Citadel. Estamated mission time till this point two hours. Charlie you'll setup outside, guard both anyone coming in or out. You and bravo should be the only ones coming in. You can join us after Bravo releaves you. Alpha will secure the inside of the Citadel. Cobra will help till we get across the Rhine. Echo will stay on station till Charlie enters the Citadel. Any questions, once we are done here we're heading to the armory and gear locker, so last chance to ask."

"Good. Since there are..." Before he could finish his sentence a beep is heard from his pedestal. Hitting a button, "This is Gunnery Sergeant Foley." From his pedestal, "This is the Captain. Gunny are you coming to poker night?" "Yes captain. Whose all invited and can I bring some one?" "Just the normal crew, and feel free to bring anyone you feel like. It will be the same place and time. Can't wait to play again, should be an interesting game. Captain out."

With a sign the Gunny turns his attention back to the room. As you could probably guess no the captain was not really talking about a poker game but giving me a heads up about the mission. As such there is a change in the battle plan. Bravo pack for rearguard. When we get to the citadel I want you to post outside. No one in or out unless its Alpha or Charlie . We are going to bypass Simon and Theodore. Cobra will run us low and fast through the valley up the Rhine. Once due North of the LZ, we'll off load either into the river if we cant get close to the shore or on to the bank. I want everyone dressed in wet gear. From there bravo will set up rearguard well Charlie and Alpha take the hill. Once clear Bravo will help us hold. Then we move on the Citadel. Alpha we are the vanguard on this mission. We will be the first in the Citadel and be in charge of clearing out. Charlie will secure a post a little ways inside. Echo I want you to fly high an loud to the rock slide then meet up with Cobra after our drop off. Drop any loss cargo the two of you might be caring just in case we need you. Changes to a mission like this are an other thing to get us to. Ok Bravo I want to head to the gear locker first well I help the others in the Armory. Bravo dismissed. Alpha and charlie wait till Bravo leaves then follow me to the Armory." As the Gunny finishes Bravo stands up and leaves through the side door without an other word.

Once the all of them disappeared through the door, "Ok fall in behind me." The Gunny leads the two squads through the side door and down the corridor to the squads armory. Once inside the Armory Chief and Gunny help everyone check their gear and sign it out. Once done the Gunny leads them down a corridor to the gear locker wear he and the gear locker Sergeant help them check their gear before signing it out.