Chosen Soldier - Dick Couch [166]
“We brought both,” Santos replies diplomatically, “but we only have what we could carry. And that we’ll share with you. What we really brought are ourselves. I have with me a team of professional soldiers. We’re here to help you with your struggle. Your fight is our fight.”
“Oh, that’s good, Captain, real good,” Chissom concedes, “but you have to understand, you’re outsiders; you’re gonna have to work your way in here. You see, my men have been fighting for a long time, and they’ve lost a lot—their homes, their families, their friends. They gave it all up for the struggle. We’re fighting for our land; we want our life back—we want to build a new nation and start new families. You say our fight is your fight? Tell me, Captain, why’re you here? Why did you come to Pineland?”
“Those who have taken power in Pineland seized the government without a fair vote—without the permission of the citizens,” Santos replies. “They’re robbing you and your people; they’ve taken what is rightfully yours. We’re here to help you regain your land and your nation.”
Colonel Chissom thinks about this and nods thoughtfully. “OK, I’ll buy that. How about you,” he says, pointing to Specialist David Altman.
“I believe in freedom,” Altman replies. “And I believe in helping others fight for it.”
“And you?”
“Our great-great grandfathers fought for our liberation from England,” says Sergeant Daniel Barstow. “We’re here to help you fight for your liberty.”
“I’ve learned that freedom and liberty are precious,” replies Specialist Justin Keller. “We Americans can’t enjoy our freedom if yours has been taken away.”
“I’m a professional soldier,” says Sergeant Andrew Kohl. “I believe in what you fight for, and it’s my duty to fight alongside you.”
Chissom appears satisfied with this. “All right, I’ll accept that. We’ll fight together, side by side. So, before we leave here and go to our camp, we’ll honor you with a small freedom-fighter’s ceremony. Since we are brothers in the same cause, we must share a toast to our fallen warriors. This is a sacred undertaking.”
The particulars of this ceremony and the contents of the toast are omitted from this text in the spirit of preserving one of the mysteries of this Robin Sage training lane. I can say that what was served was not a gourmet offering—far from it. Yet the men in 915 soldier through this ritual because they really want to wear that Green Beret. After the meeting, while the team waits for the auxiliary and their pickups, Captain Childers takes Captain Santos aside.
“OK, last night was a ballbuster, but that can happen, here and later on—down range. When things turn to shit, you have to focus on command-and-control issues, and the guys have to get past their misery and drive on. You have to refocus them—get their heads back in the game and on the mission. It’s combat leadership. Last night, they started thinking about their pain and forgot about the team and their job. Don’t let them do that. As a detachment leader, you’ll always have the tough choices: let them rest now when they really need a rest, or push them so you can get them more quickly to a safe place. They have to suck it up and follow you. A lot of Robin Sage is managing chaos and not losing your cool when things turn to crap. During the initial days of the Afghan campaign, it was chaos. But we got through it and accomplished our mission there. Only patience and persistence prevailed. It’s the same here. Robin Sage is designed to prepare you for this. Now, step it up. Take charge of these guys and make it happen, OK?”
“Roger that, sir,” Santos replies, “and thanks. I guess I needed to hear that—again.”
Nine-one-five arrives at the G base early in the afternoon. The rain has finally stopped,