Chapter 405: Making Another Contribution, Farewell
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The instructor called Wang Ye, but in fact, he only mentioned one thing.
He asked Wang Ye if he wanted to stay at the training camp for new recruits in the battalion and train new soldiers.
It had nothing to do with what Wang Ye thought, like topics such as Black Fox and thermal imaging.
Naturally, Wang Ye declined the instructor’s proposal.
If he had spoken first, Wang Ye might have agreed directly.
But the company commander and others spoke first, and since Wang Ye had already agreed to them, he couldn’t go back on his word.
As for this, the instructor simply nodded and let Wang Ye go.
During the conversation, Wang Ye didn’t mention anything about going to catch pigs in the morning.
Although he only smoked a pack of Jiangnan cigarettes, Wang Ye didn’t really care about that pack of cigarettes. It was just a matter of face and pride.
On the eighteenth, Wang Ye once again received a military medal.
Third-class merit.
During wartime.
It was a reward for Wang Ye for the last time he took action against illegal elements, killing one and capturing another.
In fact, not only Wang Ye, but several soldiers who had killed or shot and captured those illegal elements in the Special Forces platoon also received third-class merit medals.
Naturally, they were all filled with joy.
During wartime, the third-class merit is different from peacetime third-class merit.
Strictly speaking, during wartime, a third-class merit is somewhat equivalent to a second-class merit.
For example, according to regulations, only those who have received a second-class merit or higher or have served in the military for twelve years can be locally assigned to civilian jobs.
However, a wartime third-class merit achieves the same effect.
In this regard, a wartime third-class merit is equivalent to a second-class merit.
The only difference might be that a second-class merit meets the threshold for admission to a military academy, but a third-class merit does not.
But all of this didn’t matter to Wang Ye.
A wartime third-class merit just made his foundation a bit stronger.
He wouldn’t be promoted or receive a higher military rank now. As for civilian job placement and admission to a military academy, Wang Ye already had two second-class merits!
“One minute, thirty-nine point four one…”
“One minute…”
On the 400-meter obstacle training field, figures were running at full speed, giving their all.
The award ceremony on the eighteenth had not affected the busyness of the military camp.
In the final month before December, the annual assessment work was in full swing.
And besides the annual assessment, for the officers, there was also the drama of retaining personnel to be played out.
In the last stretch, the military camp had a continuous flow of troops.
Although there were many non-commissioned officers in the Special Forces unit, it wasn’t feasible for them to remain soldiers for their entire careers, especially in a physically demanding unit like the Special Forces force.
Some would voluntarily choose to retire, such as those whose initial enlistment period was ending, and this required the guidance of instructors and platoon leaders.
There were even cases of some conscripted soldiers applying for early discharge after completing their two-year service, and they were particularly in need of persuasive discussions.
Strictly speaking, Special Forces soldiers were not allowed to discharge voluntarily. When they joined, they were informed that they would at least need to serve as non-commissioned officers for one term.
However, people’s perspectives could change over time. Some individuals who initially joined the Special Forces unit with enthusiasm after being recommended from their previous units might eventually feel too exhausted and consider leaving the service, which was a normal occurrence.
Aside from these cases, there were also those whose initial enlistment periods were ending, and discussions needed to take place to help them choose their future paths.
In the Special Forces unit, age played a significant role. It was best for soldiers to serve at least one or two terms; after the third term, age might start to affect their performance.
So, except for a few key personnel, most would eventually depart. They could either discharge directly or transfer to other units to serve as key personnel.
Of course, these matters didn’t really concern Wang Ye.
Although he was an officer, he didn’t hold any specific position, and these duties didn’t require his involvement.
His only current responsibility was to give his best during the assessments, leaving a lasting impression on them.
Because Wang Ye was about to leave!
Others might not be aware, but Wang Ye himself was very clear about it.
After leaving this place this month, he might not have many opportunities to see everyone again in the future.
Because after this return, unless there were unexpected circumstances, he wouldn’t be coming back.
Next year, he was going to the military academy, and that program was four years long.
Even if he returned after graduating, even if he could come back to A Battalion, the number of familiar faces in the Special Forces platoon at that time would be uncertain.
“Let’s do it!
H
On the twentieth, a Saturday, at the dining table, some people were special.
While others had just one bottle of beer, this group had three.
Wang Ye raised his glass, smiling as he looked at his squad leader, Ge Hui, and said, “Hui, 1 wish you all the success in the world. Cheers!”
“Great! Borrowing your good wishes!” Ge Hui smiled and raised his glass to clink with Wang Ye.
Tomorrow, he would temporarily leave the Special Forces platoon ahead of the soldiers who were going to be discharged.
He was going to participate in the Special Forces selection.
This time, there were ten people from the entire platoon who had passed the internal selection and were heading to the next stage.
Without any unexpected events, even if they failed, it would probably be after the discharge season for these individuals.
Of course, there might also be some unlucky ones who were sent back right after arriving.
But no matter what, today’s journey was a specially arranged farewell for them.
“To Hui, cheers!” At this point, after Wang Ye and Ge Hui finished their drinks, another lance corporal from the same intake silently raised his glass in the squad.
Ge Hui looked at him and silently clinked glasses with him after pouring a drink.
After finishing the drink, Ge Hui couldn’t help but speak up, looking at him, “Old He, it’s not over yet. Think it through carefully!”
This soldier was the only one in the squad whose service term was ending this year, and he was the only one choosing to be discharged.
“Hehe, let’s not talk about this, Hui, a successful journey!” He Ming looked at An Ping and wore a somewhat awkward expression on his face.
After saying that, he sat down and chose not to speak further.
He was a lance corporal from the first intake, and his own abilities were enough to place him in the middle ranks among Special Forces soldiers, making it easy for him to transition to the second intake.
However, he had made up his mind to leave.
The squad leader, deputy squad leader, platoon leader, company commander, and even the instructor had all tried to persuade him, but he had already made his decision.
“Here, Deputy Squad Leader, let’s have one more!” At this point, An Ping raised his glass to help diffuse the awkward atmosphere at the table.
He Ming had already been persuaded many times, and up to this point, they chose to respect his decision.
Wang Ye remained silent.
In fact, up to this point, no one in the second platoon knew about Wang Ye’s impending departure, including Jiang Nan.
After the last visit to the company commander, Wang Ye hadn’t mentioned it to Jiang Nan either.
He didn’t like the emotions associated with parting.
Well… the main reason was that Wang Ye didn’t want to be persuaded by them, especially An Ping, even though they had only been together for less than two months.
But life in the Special Forces unit really fostered strong bonds, and his squad leader had taken good care of Wang Ye. If they really tried to persuade him, Wang Ye would feel very awkward.
So he chose to keep quiet.
However, that was what Wang Ye had thought.
On the twenty-sixth, after the evening roll call ended, Jiang Nan suddenly called out to Wang Ye, “Wang Ye, can you stay back for a moment!”
Later, when everyone else had gone upstairs, he led Wang Ye to the cafeteria.
There was a table set with food, and there was also some alcohol on the table.
Seeing the instructor waiting at the table, as well as the cook squad leader, platoon leader, and the company clerk sitting nearby, Wang Ye couldn’t help but feel resigned.
He understood now.
His secret couldn’t be hidden from them.
“Do you think we didn’t know about your plan to quietly leave? In fact, we found out about it after the company commander talked to you at the beginning of the month. We just acted like we didn’t know!” Jiang Nan said this at the dinner table.
What could Wang Ye say to that? He could only raise his glass and put on a somewhat embarrassed smile.
The instructor then looked over and said with a smile, “Although it’s hard to part ways, we are all soldiers, and we have to face farewells every year. You’re not even leaving the military, and we all know that you have a bright future ahead. So, whatever your choice, as comrades, we can only sincerely wish you the best!”
“Thank you!” Wang Ye’s eyes were slightly moist, and he raised his glass towards the instructor with determination.
“Before you go to the military academy next year, if possible, come back for a visit, and I’ll prepare another table for you!” This was what the cook squad leader said to Wang Ye.
Although Wang Ye hadn’t had much interaction with the cook squad leader before, they had become familiar with each other from the training exercises to the missions they had executed together.
“Alright!”
That night, Wang Ye got pretty close to being drunk.
But fortunately, it was just beer, so by the end of the night, although he felt a bit tipsy, he wasn’t completely drunk.
However, after this farewell gathering, Wang Ye had finally opened up to his squadmates.
Naturally, there was some complaining, which was unavoidable.
Of course, there were also those who grinned and said, “Hey, you’re finally leaving! You’ve been pushing us to the brink of death these past two months. Hurry up and go, do you know how long we’ve been looking forward to this day!”
These words came from Qu Shuang, who was lying on the adjacent bunk, and they earned unanimous agreement from the dormitory.
“That’s right, that’s right! Always keeping secrets! Did you think we’d want to keep you? Hehe, we can’t wait for you to leave!”
They all had mischievous smiles on their faces, but the next morning, as Wang Ye packed his belongings, each one of them came forward to give him a hug, and some even tucked small items into Wang Ye’s backpack.
For example, Qu Shuang gave Wang Ye his girlfriend’s photo book.
Uh… his girlfriend’s photo book was his most cherished possession. He often took it out and wiped off the dust when he had time, maintaining it as if he were competing with it for his wife’s affection.
But this time, he gave it to Wang Ye.
In his words: “We soldiers are not well off, my buddy. 1 don’t have any other fancy gifts to give you, so 1’11 let you have this photo book from my wife to keep you company during lonely times.”
In addition to this, there was the squad leader’s gift of a pen, Cai Huayu’s gift of a small notebook…
Of course, Wang Ye also reciprocated with gifts.
Each person received a pack of cigarettes, as Wang Ye didn’t have much else to give, and with so many people in the platoon, he didn’t have enough souvenirs. So, a pack of cigarettes for each of them was the best he could do.
“Squad leader, my brothers, I’m off. I’ll come back to see you all next year!”
Outside the building, Wang Ye had his backpack on his back and gave each of them a hug once again.
At this moment, there were people from other platoons peering out from the upper floors.
So, the next moment, after saying goodbye to his comrades from the first platoon, Wang Ye smiled and waved to those on the upper floors.
Actually, he had originally planned to leave in a couple of days.
But after Jiang Nan exposed his plan last night, he had been told to leave today.
Leaving early would allow him to spend a couple more days with the soldiers who were about to be discharged when he returned home.
And, by the way, he had fulfilled his promise from the beginning of the month to let Wang Ye see Yan Zhiming’s holiday photos, which he did during this visit..