Having a day to recover from their "beasting" at the hands of Gunny Lee and Sgt Mike Cooldude,
The Squad assemble for the next part of their test to become Action Soldier Blue Berets.
Captain Gaunt: "Men, you are now another step nearer the Blue Beret. You will form a crack unit in the Munrovian ranks .
You have survived the PT assessment- Well done !
Colours Sgt Hart and I will leave you with Cpls Fraser and McCloud. They are VAM Para veterans and will help you through this Squad run with weight and tomorrow the Assault Course !
Carry on !"
With that Gaunt & Hart take a key strategic position to observe the squad.
CG: "This will be a tough one Hart. Three times around the garden with full packs !"
CH: " I'm more worried about the washing Sir and Gunner 1.0's choice of towel colour - It won't coordinate with the bathroom "
Cpl McCloud: "Nae then laddies, here are your back packs grab one and load it up with stones 25 grammes at least!"
Pvt Smudger Smith :" Cor Blimey Alf ! My elastic's have only just recovered !
Pvt Alf Tupper: "Don't worry Smudger , we can have some Fish 'n 'Chips to recover later ! "
Pvt's Mark Power and Andrew Davids help each other kit up.
Cpl Jamie Fraser - Checks Smudgers packing.
Cpl F: " Load it up Smudger - no slacking from you today !"
Smudger : " Could be a nightmare this Corporal- I'm sure I felt a knee rivet crack"
Cpl F: " Smith - don't forget you are a VAM! Cracks or no cracks you will complete your mission! Don't you recall how you survived the long loft years ?"
The Squad set off - Cpl Fraser set the pace with Cpl McCloud at the rear to provide 'encouragement" to any stragglers
The Squad settle into their pace.
CF: " Come one boys, only 3 laps to glory !"
Cpl McC: " Pick it up their Power- no slacking or I will break my foot off in your VAM hind parts !"
Smudger to Mark " He's been listening to that Gunny Lee too much !"
Mark to Smudger " Gotta keep going Smudge - you don't want a Dragonian Clone trooper to catch you !"
By lap 1 the guys are just keeping it together
Cpl F: " 2 more laps lads - keep it going !"
Cpl McC: " I've got my eye on you Smith !"
Lap 2 and the terrain an the pace is beginning to tell.. but no one is giving up !
Cpl F: "One last lap lads ! Think about the Blue Beret !"
The guys dig in for the last effort.
Smudger lags behind and enjoys Cpl McClouds "encouragement ".
Cpl McC " In your own time Smith ! Don't hurry will you ? "
Smudger" But I can feel me elastic fraying Corporal..."
Cpl McC: " Hank and Joe wouldn't whinge like this ....Just think think of the Blue Beret Smith - !"
The first members of the squad Cross the line.
The stragglers make one last effort .
The Lads take a well earned breather .
Cpl McC: "Well done lads good effort- we will make Munrovian Blue Berets out of you yet"
Smudger " Oh send me back to that comfy cardboard box in the loft !!"
Alf Tupper: " Fish 'n ' Chips and a spot of welding will see you right mate !"
Smudger: "Don't stretch too hard Alf - my pegs might not take it !"
Captain Gaunt and Colour Hart are pleased
CG:"By golly Hart they made it and not a single peg snap !"
CH: "Excellent Sir, but have you see the colour of the towels ? - It will hardly match the Azure Blue of the en-suite !"
Afterwards Corporals Fraser and McCloud address the squad.
Cpl F: " Well done boys - Hank & Joe would be proud of you -you have completed the Basic Fitness Test run - Tomorrow its the Assault course !"
Cpl McC: " Aye, well done boys - even Smith finished !"
Cpl F : So square your kit away, get an extra twist on your elastics, and prep for the assault course. Individual effort and teamwork "
Part 3 - The Munrovian Assault course or What can Gunner 1.0 do with a set of Giant Jenga ?