LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 31
Chapter 31: You thought you were playing a game, just issued a gun, and want to hit the target with live ammunition?
After the running exercises, all the recruits, led by the squad leader, went to the cafeteria for breakfast and commenced a day of training.
However, midway through the meal, a platoon leader entered, shouting, “All squad leaders, gather!”
Squad leader Li Long, almost instinctively, dropped his steamed buns and swiftly walked towards the cafeteria’s exit. All the recruits curiously watched them. Several squad leaders stood at the entrance, facing three platoon leaders, conversing, though the content remained unheard due to the glass door. Eventually, the squad leaders saluted the platoon leaders, and they left together. The three platoon leaders stood silently outside.
Curious, He Dong asked, “What’s going on?” Chen Ming shook his head, uncertain. Yu Jun, with concern, asked, “Are they preparing some special training for us?”
The group felt uneasy.
Chen Ming reassured, “Don’t overthink it. Finish breakfast quickly. As long as we’re full, we can handle any training.”
After eating, a platoon leader entered, instructing, “Eat quickly. Assemble outside when done.” Everyone nodded and finished eating, then lined up outside.
Satisfied with the formation, three platoon leaders yelled, “Move!” Leading them to the training ground, confusion filled the air. Without their squad leader, they felt vulnerable.
At the training ground, the platoon leader ordered them to stand by, and anticipation filled Chen Ming’s mind. He wondered if the platoon leaders were about to train them.
Gao Jie, the second platoon leader, informed, “Your squad leader went to the armory. You’ll get guns, and we’ll have a shooting session later!” Excitement spread among the recruits.
He Dong exclaimed, “Finally, after a month!” Yu Jun added, “I’ve been waiting for this!”
Gao Jie cautioned, “Don’t think carrying a gun is just fun. For soldiers, it’s a sacred duty. Guns are like comrades. On the battlefield, your gun is your most trustworthy ally.”
He emphasized strict gun management, warning of the consequences of losing or mishandling. Recruits were reminded to treat their guns with the same care as a loved one. The recruits enthusiastically echoed, “Understood!”
While cautious with the newfound responsibility, the recruits couldn’t contain their excitement. After all, holding a gun was a rare experience for many. The platoon leader, observing their still enthusiastic demeanor, seemed genuinely unwilling to let them off easily and directly dampened their spirits:
“Furthermore, even if you have guns now, you can’t shoot live rounds. Gun maintenance is what you have to learn. There’s also gun disassembly and assembly, various shooting postures, and training with guns while carrying weight. After completing these, you’ll qualify for live-fire shooting!”
To use a gun, you must first learn, and even if a group of recruits is given guns, how can the company trust them with live ammunition if they don’t even know how to load and release the safety?
These words, heard by many recruits, made them feel disappointed. Holding a gun but unable to shoot made the gun seem lifeless, no different from holding a piece of iron.
Chen Ming, looking at the disappointed crowd, shook his head helplessly. In his previous life, he had seen military bloggers emphasize that there was a long way to go from getting a gun to being able to shoot live rounds.
The platoon leader, Gao Jie, continued, and several squad leaders brought wooden boxes, stopping in front of the recruits. The green boxes looked simple, with big red spray-painted words saying “Military Items” on top.
“Even in the army, gun management is strict. Even a small part, if lost, must be reported and searched until found. Leaking guns is not allowed. Losing a gun in the military is a strict and severe matter,” Gao Jie explained.
The squad leaders carefully placed the boxes in front of the recruits. After getting approval from the platoon leaders, they opened the boxes, revealing the contents. Shiny rifles were neatly arranged inside.
Though they couldn’t shoot live rounds, holding a real gun was incredibly exciting for the recruits. Chen Ming, seeing the guns, felt a surge of excitement, not just because he longed for a gun but also because the firearm proficiency skill he received from the system a month ago finally had a purpose. Firearm proficiency made using any gun as easy as eating a meal!