Posted on 11/06/2004 3:17:58 PM PST by Steve Newton
The replacement was just settling in to his new surroundings when an old sergeant walked by barking at everyone to get squared away before the next patrol. “Wow what a hard ass, the new soldier whispered to the soldier next to him.” Shhh, he might hear you man. That dud is bad to the bone. People say he doesn’t even have a heart. But he keeps us alive and he is the best sergeant in the Army.”
(Excerpt) Read more at steven.newton1.home.att.net ...
The replacement was just settling in to his new surroundings when an old sergeant walked by barking at everyone to get squared away before the next patrol. “Wow what a hard ass, the new soldier whispered to the soldier next to him.” Shhh, he might hear you man. That dud is bad to the bone. People say he doesn’t even have a heart. But he keeps us alive and he is the best sergeant in the Army.”
Night fell on Iraq and when his squad was asleep the old sergeant took out a silent dog whistle and gave it a blow. Soon a mangy mongrel mutt came slinking into the compound and curled up beside the sergeant. The dog was so skinny that the sergeant was afraid he would die any day. But every night the dog returned and slept beside the sergeant until just before day break.
The sergeant never let anyone see him with the dog because he had a reputation to protect. Acting indestructible gave his men an edge in battle and saved lives. He fully intended to keep it this way.
Midway through the night the camp came under severe mortar fire and the sergeant was immediately up and organizing his men into a defensive position. The dog hung at his feet and afraid for its life the sergeant picked him up and put him inside his shirt. Small arms fire filled the air as smoke rose from earlier hits on their compound. Casualties were starting to mount.
Angry, the old sergeant crossed the perimeter rifle blazing and brass flying. His men rallied at his courage and followed him into the streets. Soon the battle was over and the insurgents had fled. But the old sergeant lay in the middle of the street not moving. Blood covered his chest.
As his men gathered round him in stunned silence the sergeant opened his eyes. He reached in his shirt and brought out the little dog, now dead with a rifle bullet through its heart. No one said a word. For a moment the sergeant cradled the dog in his arms, his eyes closed.
The old sergeant finally got up leaving the dog in the street where he lay. “Aren’t we going to bury him sarge? “No. Remember, I’m bad to the bone.” As he walked away, tears streamed down his face.
Steve Newton NEWTON’S BEST OF THE BEST MILITARY SITE HOME OF THE “OLD SERGEANT SERIES” AND “PATTON SPEAKS.” http://steven.newton1.home.att.net/
The “Old Sergeant Series” is fictional. The Series are written to express a point or provide an insight.
Bump to you, Chief.
My God.
Whoa. I recall a reference to Heinlein saying of a particular story that it should be sold with a whisk broom, so you can brush of the dust after it knocks you over. That's that kind of story. Thanks.
It may be fictional. The truth is the truth. I had two old Sarges and they took good care of me. I'm not a combat veteran, I worked on jet engines. I am an Airman and like my Brother Marines I will be one till I die and then I'll still be one. Because of those two old Sarges I got a lot of airplanes to fly. When the Old Sarge yells and kicks Butt he's not being impolite he's getting your attention. God Bless all those old Sarges. They will take care of you even if dying is what will happen to them. The are the GREATEST!
Thanks buddy
Chief
Your very welcome
Steve
Ain't it the truth!
Sergeants should train new officers in my opinion and if I remember right there is now a program to do just that.
God bless
Steve
Thank You Sir. You have a great site there.
I bookmarked your site. Thanks for sharing.
I'm pinging a few friends who might be interested.
Thanks Buddy
Chief
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