Commendation!

"What's all the fuss about? You're all NCOs now. Can't you take it down a notch?"

Squad Leader Chen Ting sat on his bunk and took a sip of tea that had been steeped to death.

The tea leaves Ji Baichang had brought over really were good. He was already on his eighth brew, and each cup had a different flavor.

"Squad Leader Chen! I just overheard a phone call at Company Headquarters. Someone from the battalion was talking to the company commander."

"Apparently, in a month, they're holding a competition between new and veteran soldiers to motivate the recruits. All the veterans in the battalion will take part."

"Sounds like the battalion headquarters also said recruits can compete. New or veteran, whoever takes first place will get a commendation."

Wang Yuan grabbed a little stool from beside one of the recruits' bunks, sat down, and cheerfully explained.

"Squad Leader! The events are the pull-up bar and the three-kilometer run. It's practically a free commendation for you!"

Military awards, in descending order, were:

"August 1st Medal, Honorary Title, First-Class Merit, Second-Class Merit, Third-Class Merit, Commendation."

Although a commendation ranked last among these awards,

only around five percent of soldiers received one. Anyone who earned an award from the military was outstanding.

Normally, each company had one spot for a Third-Class Merit award every year, two commendations, and a few Four Haves Soldier medals.

Under ordinary circumstances, he might have to work diligently in the company for a whole year, putting in the effort and taking part in exercises and training. Maybe by the end of the year, the company would award him a commendation.

But this competition between new and veteran soldiers from the entire battalion offered a commendation to whoever took first place. In Wang Yuan's eyes, that was practically handing one out for free.

After all, they were veterans from the Special Operations Brigade. They were on a completely different level from other veterans.

Veterans from other brigades might run three kilometers in eleven minutes, and finishing in ten would count as an excellent time.

But in the Special Operations Brigade, that would only just scrape a passing grade.

It wasn't that Wang Yuan was putting anyone down. That was simply the truth. Squad Leader Chen Ting was even more formidable. Though he was already thirty-three and had served for sixteen years,

he still utterly dominated running and other basic physical training events.

"A commendation? I'm not competing for that. Let the young guys have a chance. Didn't I turn down the Third-Class Merit the company commander wanted to recommend me for last year?"

"Wang Yuan, you've just started your third year as an NCO. If you think you've got what it takes, go for it. I'm sitting this one out."

Chen Ting shook his head. The award might have seemed important to the new NCOs, but now that it was right in front of him, it didn't look like much.

They were old enough to have seen a lot. They'd long since lost the youthful drive to compete over everything.

"Wait, Squad Leader, seriously? In that case, I won't hold back."

"You little rascal. You came over just to sound me out, didn't you?"

Chen Ting couldn't help laughing as he scolded him.

This kid was sharp as a tack, but the opportunity should go to the younger soldiers.

"Heh, of course not, Squad Leader!"

"Then I'll get going!"

The Second Squad leader stood up with a grin, said goodbye to Chen Ting again, and hurried out of First Squad.

He was still smiling as he left, as if those two commendations were already his for the taking!

"Holy crap, Xue Daochao, you heard what the squad leader next door said to ours, right? There's a competition between new and veteran soldiers, and first place gets a commendation!"

Ji Baichang nudged Xue Daochao, who was folding his quilt beside him, with his elbow.

"I heard. I'm not deaf."

Xue Daochao rolled his eyes at Ji Baichang.

"So what are you thinking? How about we team up and see if we can fight for first place?"

"It's a commendation! It's our first chance to earn an award since joining the military!"

Ji Baichang held back his excitement and spoke in a low voice.

"Forget it. I think that'll be tough. We're recruits. How are we supposed to compete for it?"

Xue Daochao shook his head. He knew his own limits.

His three-kilometer time was ten minutes and fifty-five seconds. He was way ahead of the other recruits, but compared to all the veterans in the battalion, he still wasn't good enough.

"I can push you from behind!"

"Like when you run out of steam, I'll show up right behind you and give you a helpful push."

"What do you think?"

Ji Baichang's eyes darted about as a bold idea came to him.

"Come on, you're not up to anything good, are you? Since when have you been this kind?"

Xue Daochao eyed Ji Baichang suspiciously.

"Hey! We're buddies, aren't we? Why would I lie to you?"

"I figure it's better you benefit than someone else. Once we pull it off, all you have to do is tell my fortune. How about it?"

Ji Baichang thumped his chest, putting on an utterly harmless expression.

"If you push me, how much faster do you think I'll go? The main thing is finding out how fast the Second Squad leader can run three kilometers. Otherwise, how are we supposed to beat him?"

"Besides, before any of that, didn't you forget that our squad has Lü Qinglong?"

"Oh, damn! I forgot Qinglong was in our squad! Fine, I'll put the plan to push you from behind on hold. We can pick it back up once you have a girlfriend."

"Get lost!"

Xue Daochao pushed Ji Baichang in exasperation. This guy was always up to no good.

"Qinglong! You absolutely have to take first place in both events at this competition between new and veteran soldiers!"

"If I remember right, you ran three kilometers in nine minutes and forty seconds yesterday! That time is unbeatable! As long as you keep it up, first place in the three-kilometer event is definitely yours!"

Ji Baichang walked over to Lü Qinglong and remarked with deep feeling.

He was so jealous. Lü Qinglong's physical ability was ridiculously impressive.

He'd done more than eighty strict pull-ups on the bar. It was hard to say if any of the veterans could beat that number.

Too bad there wasn't an event that purely tested strength. Otherwise, Lü Qinglong would absolutely crush everyone!!!

"Really? Don't lie to me. What competition between new and veteran soldiers?"

Lü Qinglong scratched his head.

He'd just come back from the toilet and hadn't heard the Second Squad leader's announcement.

"Don't worry! I'll explain it all to you in a bit. Anyway, Qinglong, you're going to earn an award."

Ji Baichang patted Lü Qinglong on the chest, but the exaggerated pectoral muscles made his hand sting.

"All right."

Lü Qinglong nodded, still confused.

After the recruits had struggled through three rounds of a hundred reps, they could finally wash up and lie down in their bunks.

These past two days had been exhausting for them. It seemed the only time that truly belonged to them was the time they spent lying in bed after lights-out.

"Wuuu..."

Lü Qinglong had sharp ears. He thought he heard a recruit crying under his blanket.