The Sargent was ordered to report to the Base commander in respectable condition. That meant after taking a shower and changing into an appropriate uniform, So He got cleaned up, shaved, and put on his best, and only set of class A's. The dress uniform of The United States Airforce. Because of his training that included an earned Red Barret with the SAC Prime Beef symbol dead center. The uniform was meticulously kept with ribbons and awards arraigned in the correct order. Bloused boots, Gold and Maroon wound rope over the shoulder and around the waist, and the service 45 tucked in it's holster just under the left arm inside the jacket. This was His dress uniform, and it made him feel special.
The Sargent reported the Base Command Headquarters. At the Entry He produced the correct ID card and used the correct secret code name then went through a short ritual where the SP at the door placed a box on a table and opened it. The Sargent un-holstered his weapon, placed it in the box and closed the lid. The SP locked it with a key then handed The Sargent the key and placed the box on a shelf. He then opened the door to the headquarters and was instructed where the command office was. The Sargent walked in, the door was locked behind him, and he walked down the hall to the Office of The Base Commander, One Brigadier General, One Star, George Eastepp. Inside the office The Sargent approached the General's desk, removed the Barret, tucked it under his left arm, and snapped a quick salute, "Reporting as Ordered Sir." He said.
The General pushed an envelope across the table to him and asked him to produce the envelope he was given on the flight line, the one that said, "For Your Eyes Only." The General told him he could open it now. It contained orders hand written in blue ink with three destinations, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Belize. The General then told him to open the envelope that was just pushed towards him. The envelope contained a set of Staff Sargent stripes. The Sargent had just been promoted contingent on the orders he was just given. "You are now on leave until the date on top of your orders telling you when to report to this location. Good Luck, Staff Sargent." The General shook his hand, sat back down and said in a commanding voice, "Dismissed."
The Staff Sargent saluted, did an about face, took the Barret from under his arm and secured it back on his head and walked to the door. It was opened from the outside by a guard. He walked down the hall to the exit and the original guard. There was another short ceremony where the Guard placed the box in front of The Staff Sargent, opened it and said, "All yours sir." The Staff Sargent holstered the Colt 45 service weapon and left the compound. He was officially on leave. For the 1st time since joining the Air Force.
The Staff Sargent found his bag already packet in the Dodge. He drove to the main flight line of the Base. At the main gate was a waiting plain white red tailed Boeing 737. He and his 5 friends all entered the plane. When on the plane they all looked to him and said, "What's next Sarge?"
"Leave, then report to the Base on the tops of your orders." Is all he said. The plane took off and a female Airman appeared offering refreshments, then approached him, "The Captain would like to see you sir." she said.
He got up from his seat and made his way to the cockpit of the plane. The door was opened and he entered. The Captain turned in his seat to face him and said, "Good to see you again Staff Sargent." It was Captain Knapp. Again he appears in places unannounced, "Welcome to Rachel airlines he said. Our first destination is Las Vegas where you will each board flights to your leave destinations. We'll be in the air approximately 45 minutes." He shook The Staff Sargent's hand, "Congratulations."
The Boy suddenly felt a sickening urge to puke over take him. He held on, and the Airman helped him to his seat with a shot of Pepto Bismol. Everything was just to coincidental, and the mission began.
Peace and Balance,
John
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