Marine Walk Through

Posted on Tue Sep 29th, 2009 @ 5:04pm by Commander John Sheridan & Colonel Damon Raine & Gunnery Sergeant Jethro Hawkes

854 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Prelude: Blowing away the Cobwebs
Location: USS Orion Marine HQ, Deck 4
Timeline: Current

ON

As Sheridan entered the Marine area On deck 4, he observed the overload of Marine Activity that one expected from this branch... The small "Grinder" was full of NCO's skilled in training working with the men in their assigned squads almost beating them into Green perfection.
John had always been impressed with the drive these Marines had toward getting the job done. The oddest thing was a Marine was a Marine, know matter what that persons job or skill level, they were a Marine First, weather they flew a fighter or dug field emplacements...

Sheridan was seeking out the Command team of the Orions new Marine unit to see how things were moving along..

Hawkes saw the XO from under one of the Margo's, he was explaining the armor system to some of the newer Marines that had not worked with them before. Due to the traditional role of 1 Platoon, they had the majority of senior soldiers, but to enable 2 & 3 Platoons to effectively fight together in the Assault Pioneer role, some of their junior soldiers were transferred with 1 Platoon soldiers. This meant a lot of extra training, but training was all part of life for a Marine.

Handing the torch to the PLSGT, Hawkes heads over to the XO, stuffing his beret on his head, followed shortly after by Bella, the wolf was the faster, arriving first and sitting at LT Sheridan's feet. Hawkes, only seconds later pulls up to attention and salutes, "Welcome to the compound, Sir."

Sheridan returned Hawkes salute sharply. "As you were Gunny, he smiled down at Bella. Didn't mean to interrupt anything here, just stopped by to see how things were progressing."

"Slowly, at the moment," Hawkes begun. "We're trying to make sure we have enough veterans in the Assault Pioneer Platoons, without disadvantaging 1 Platoons effectiveness."

Sheridan nodded, "Sound planing Gunny, hows the extra room in the Hanger bay working out? Where you able to get your equipment in?"

"All in and combat packed for deployment." "You'll notice the Combat Pods stacked against the rear wall. Those two Tractors parked either end, can have four Pods sitting on the Landing Pads for attachment in under 5 minutes from First Response Alarm." Hawkes was pointing out the facilities as they walked. "If you look up, the Firefly's are hard-point attached to the roof. The crew access from upstairs and down the ladders. By the time they're powered up and ready to drop to the pads, the Pods are ready to deploy with all personnel." "The open Pod down the end is a Margo Pod, that's where those two normally reside." Hawkes pointed back to the Margos he had been using to familiarize the Marines.

Sheridan was amazed at the progress made, "Highly organized and completely squared away Gunny Great effort, hows Bella adapting to the Ship?"

"We've taught each other some toilet signals." Hawkes laughed. "This is our first deployment, she hasn't been cooped up inside before." He explained

"I'm sure she will adapt quickly, Bella's a smart girl."

"That she is sir. Bella always seemed to know when the Chief Instructor was on the warpath. We had quite a few narrow escapes." Hawkes laughed, before relaying the story of the grizzled old Sergeant Major and his penchant for crying on the DI's shoulders when his wife was angry with him.

"Well Gunny, I'll let you get back to work, If you need anything just give me a yell."

"There's a rumor going around about some Gunships, being deployed to the Orion. Do you know anything I can tell my guys?" Hawkes asked. He had been hearing stories even from his senior NCOs since they boarded the Orion about the Gunships and the support they could give the Marines on the ground.

"That's not a rumor, I'm actively trying to get a squadron of them here. But having some argument about it from fleet as they don't have the pilots yet. I'll let you know as soon as I here something. They are very advanced weapon systems and the fleets newest toy. Tell your Marines it may be a real tight fit down here if I'm successful."

"It won't be that tight." Hawkes smirked, "my Quartermaster Sergeant has allocated the aft section of the cargo bay for them." Hawkes pointed to a very vacant area of the cargo bay that had been roped off. "My guys like to hedge their bets, if there was a chance we could get some, they wanted to make sure we had room." The pride that Hawkes had for his new unit was evident, he seemed to walk taller (if that's possible) whenever he talked about the 132 Marines on board the Orion.

"I'll work very hard at it." John was glad to see the extra room was available if he pulled it off.

"I'll leave you with that problem then sir, I want to have those MArgos re-stowed before mess call." Hawkes stood at attention and saluted before marching off, back to the troops, Bella trotting proudly beside him.

OFF

Lieutenant John Sheridan
Executive officer
USS Orion

Gunnery Sgt. Jethro Hawkes
Marine First Sgt.
USS Orion

 

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