Stories

The Rifle

Sergeant Major (SGM) Behr called a meeting at the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) just after midnight on the last day of our exercise. We were all tired but looking forward to heading back into Garrison. The SGM briefed us on work priorities for clearing the field and the standards for when we were back in the unit area.

Smart Business.

Headquarters Company was the largest company in thr Battalion, so much of the work fell to me. To keep my company focused and organized would take a lot of attention to detail.

The SGM, the other 1SGs, and I huddled around the SGM's vehicle. I leaned my rifle against it while I took notes. Once the meeting was over, I packed up my notebook and map, and moved back to my vehicle. My driver and I headed back to the company area.

About a quarter of a mile down the trail, I realized I had forgotten my rifle. A Big Thing. HUGE!

If someone found it, I would be the First Sergeant who forgot his rifle. If not, the whole Battalion would have to stay in the field until we found it. Either way, my career was over.

I told my driver to turn around and head back. I spotted the tree where we met, the biggest one in the area, but the SGM's vehicle was gone. Uh-oh.

I had my driver park while I walked to the tree. As I moved in the darkness to the meeting spot, I tripped over my rifle, right where it fell when the CSM drove away.

Whew!

Not even my driver noticed my mistake.