Dream flashback
I pulled back the trigger, feeling the M40a5's kick. I was used to the feeling and to me, it brought great joy. The 7.62 NATO round flew for around 600 meters until it hit impact.
"Hit!" My spotter said with excitement.
"No," I said in a monotone voice, "It's not good enough. I barely scraped it. Hey, how's the wind?"
"It's 11 MPH. You going for the head Jerez?" He said looking.
"Yes. I don't take chances against the enemy" I cocked back the bolt.
"Okay then, locked on. Fire when ready" He said as he looked through the spotter scope.
I inhaled and exhaled, pulled the trigger hitting the head dead center.
"Holy crap! Headshot!" My partner said as he jumped up.
I stood up as well only to see other shooters at the range look at me either amazed or with a stink eye.
"Hey man, you did great. Keep kicking some ass with that rifle!" My partner said.
My partner was a dirty blonde European fellow who is a year older than me. He is know to be the best in hand to hand combat in the company. He is around two inches taller than me (I am 5' 7" at this time) and has a more muscular build. He wears NCUs (Navy Combat Uniform) like every cadet does since this Academy is being funded most by the US Navy.
He was usually always smiling and joyful.
"I'm going to take my leave. See you later" I said putting my rifle on safety.
"Hey," He placed his hand on my shoulder, "I'm coming with. Third years are allowed to hang out second years ya know?" He informed while helping me pack up my ammo.
"Alright then. Let's go to my barracks" I suggested.
"Cool. Let's go then" He said giving me my unloaded rifle.
We starting walking to my barracks as I held my rifle over my left shoulder and my partner held my ammo box with his left hand. As we walked in silence, I spotted a commissioned officer.
"Hey. Officer. Solute" The cadet told me.
"Right" I said grabbing the smallest of the stock of my rifle, going to present arms as my partner soluted.
"Good afternoon, Lieutenant" I said, about to pass him.
(A Lieutenant is an "O-3" in the US Navy, O standing for Officer and the 3 meaning the third initial Commissioned Officer rank/grade. Enlisted personel must solute to Commissioned Officers, as well as Warrent Officers.)
Before we passed each other, he soluted back at us, allowing us to drop our solute.
"Speaking of Lieutenant, I heard your soon getting a promotion from Cadet Chief to Senior Chief" I said.
"Yup! And if keep up that kind of shooting, you'll get promoted to 2nd class in no time, Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class" He teased as he touched his rate.
(In the Navy, Enlisted personel don't have a rank. They have a rate. Commissioned/Warrent Officers have ranks.)
As we walked to my barracks, we changed the subject to our past. He was the one who asked so I told him my history first. By the time we got to my barracks, I was done.
"Wow that sucks. I know the feeling of loosing a parent, actually both" He said as I opened the door.
(Our barracks looked like 4-5 star hotels since this Academy was being funded mostly by the US Navy.)
