"If you look past what everyone wants you to see, you may just see what you really want you to see. But if you only look at what you want you to see, it could conflict with what you need to see, and therefore could vastly distort what you will actually see."
Apparently, all of that studying paid off-- I passed the rank test with above a 92% score, promoting me to PV2, giving me an actual rank insignia to wear (The small chevron that is placed on a soldier's battle uniform, and dress uniform which designates their rank), and some room to breathe, therefore causing me to cheer for myself a bit. When I found out that I passed (This is the 3rd time I've taken the test, regardless of how long I'd been in A-JROTC), and frankly, it felt really good to know that I am actually making good progress. So far as the ship date goes (The date I have been setup to, for when I am moved to the base which I will start my basic training at), I have a solid one-- the coming Tuesday, giving me little, but some time to warm up to prep the family and friends.
So, I know you're dying to know what happened at the station as far as the other guys there, right? so here goes something for you (Yes, I always have at least one thing, simply because I like these guys-- and girl... sorry, Kbree).
Earlier today (Of course, I got in early, as always), the SGTs (Sergeants, called by the short version of their general ranks-- Sergeant, also could be used with Staff Sergeants, Sergeant First Classes, Master Sergeants, First Sergeants, Command Sergeant Majors, and Sergeant Majors of the Army) were passing jokes around as usual, giving boring day some meaning, when the phone rings. Now, being a REC station (Recruiting Station), the phones ring off the hook all day, just about every day, making it no big deal... but this time, something different happened. First, Mr. Nice Guy answered the phone, and began talking to the future soldier on the other line when a woman passes the front of the Station, somehow totally drawing his attention. This somehow was a bit different for me, as far as the way he usually acts. Now, for someone like our neighborhood insane recruiter; the aptly-named SSG Computer Expert, due to a certain incident which insisted that I taunt him about his ability to properly-operate his laptop. At any rate, on to the phone conversation, since I do love to get on and off-topic every now and then... it went something like this;
Phone Rings... Mr. NG Answers.
NG: Army Strong[tm], **********************, speaking. How may I help you?
Future Soldier: Asks a question about something moderately-important.
NG and he converse for awhile, regarding said important subject until the closing words.
NG: Okay, so that is great, and-- Oh wait, there's one beautiful blonde!
Me: What the hell...
Future Soldier: Apparently questioning his cut-off response
NG: She was... but yeah, that was multitasking, there
The conversation continues, somewhat as planned.
Now, I don't usually bother questioning the insanity that goes on at the station, because it's usually something regular, but that was something I'd never seen him do, and it almost surprised me (Which mind you, not to toot my own horn, but just doesn't happen). Also, I'd caught the shuttle (A bus transport that moves between the stations and basses to provide a general means of transport for soldiers) to the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). When I got there, I went to have a little talk with the Liaison about my RENO (Military Contract Re-negotiation, which gives you a chance to change something about your contract, depending on the circumstance, as well as other, anonymous factors), which would allow me to leave soon, ultimately, finally getting us out of Episode I. When I talked to him, he'd run my numbers and things, and inputted my information, but realized that he'd taken it upon himself to put the information in before he checked wether or not it was already inputted by my recruiter, issuing us all an expression equivalent to a level-2 shin-ku hadouken to the forehead, as well as tossing my departure from the MEPS another 10 minutes. Once it was finished, he'd also taken it upon himself to play a little joke on one of the ladies in the office... just so happened, he used me to do it.
Liaison: (With a bare hint of normal giddy-ness in his voice, but still partially stern) Okay, it's all set. Go in there, and tell the Sergeant you're ready to RENO.
Me: Umm... (thinking Aren't you supposed to take care of that? but being obedient) Sure...
I walk into her office, and tell her that he'd told me to tell her I was ready to RENO.
Sergeant: (Scoffs some, giving off a bare snicker, catching my attention) ....Was he serious? I mean did he tell you to tell me that, or did he say "Go say this to her just to mess with her"?
Me: Goddamn it. Yes, he was apparently serious.
Sergeant: (After laughing abit) Okay, tell him I said this; "Go ahead and do it, then."
Me: Okay, sure.
I go back to his desk, sit down, and do as instructed.
Liaison: (Laughing) I just like to mess with her like that, don't worry about it, that's just how far back we go.
Me: Whoop-tee fucking doo~ Oh, alright (Laughing it off)
Sergeant: (Passing by) If he doesn't pay you, I give you the right to go crazy, I'm leaving in a minute or two!
Me: You bitch.
Now, ordinarily, I would go "Duke Nukem", and start harming people, simply because I hate being used... for anything, I hate being used... I can stand being tricked every now and then, and I can tolerate (with a very small tolerance) lying outright, but I above all, hate being used. Although this, somehow I saw as something I could just look past, mainly because I had something more important to do than sit there and bother to get irate with these two, but also because that liaison was the very same guy who had my contract currently in front of him, and had the power to change basically anything he wanted to, at almost any given moment. Knowing such, I quickly weighed my choices, and decided ultimately that the best route would be to leave them be, plus I was pretty sure it was all out of good fun, anyway.
So, I catch the shuttle back to the station and chill out there, while watching the business die down as the evening rode in like Texas Ranger on NOS, did menial tasks, and basically just waited around, talking with the SGTs about nothing, that is until Byrdman came in, who decided to be the one to take me home, seeing as we apparently live around the same area. So I get home, and notice the place is locked down... I do a quick assessment of the situation, and realize that they had to have all left while I was gone (I'd returned much later than usual, this time hanging out with them a lot longer than I usually do), so I used the other entrance, and called them to verify my assumption-- comes to find out I was right, and not only was I, but they were returning, and just now pulling into the driveway, at that. So I explain to them that I will be leaving this coming Tuesday, and all of the smaller details of my enlistment, as well as any updated things.
Now, with me, just hours away from my 18th birthday, and prepared to ship next week, We can finally say goodbye to this episode.
~I hope.
