-
Chapter 21: Getting Kochs
- TCU Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Twenty-one Getting Kochs IfI die on the gook/front Bury me with a gook cunt. -17U1rching song After that night in his office it was hard to see Rancek in the same way, but it was dear that he was a short timer, with only twO mote weeks with us. He had to process out, so we didn't see much ofhim in the time he had left:. A couple of days later we were called Out of the barracks a few minutes early. Rancek was standing there with another second lieutenant, a young, compactly built man, with blond hair and a goofY, crooked smile. Actually, I don't think his smile was crooked, bur his two front teeth were chipped offat an odd angle, leaving him with a snaggle-toothed smirk that made it look like his head was cocked whenever he grinned. I knew that Rancek was about to announce that he was leaving, but r had STOlen his thunder by passing around the word in the platoon that he had gotten his orders. Bur this meeting would be the first time that he had spoken to us since he gOt his orders. He stood up on the porch. "At ease, men, gather round. I have been your TAC officer since you began your program back in November. I have watched you grow and mature, and we've gotten rid of over a hundred duds in this company. We're getting lean and mean, a real fightin' machine. "And now I'm proud to say that I'm about to get to use some of that fine Fort Benning training. I've gar my orders to join the 1st Cavalry in Quang Tei Province in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 March 1970, and I'll be leaving you." A groan went around the platoon. Even though they knew what was going on before he announced it, they also knew that they were supposed ro act out their apparent surprise and loss of their beloved TAC. It was a game. Almost everybody was happy to see Rancek go. No one in the plaroon had avoided his wrath, and everyone had decided [hat it had ro be bener with the devil we didn't know instead of the devil we did. I hadn't rold anyone but Budwell of the odd, joint-smoking Rancek with the black light peace symbol, mainly because I thought they wouldn't believe me but also because the odd competitive system there made everyone secretive and isolated. We'd gotten too used to the guy next ro us sneaking into the office to write up a critical OR. ''I'm here to introduce you to my replacement, who will square you guys away and take up exactly where I leave you." With that, he gestured to the other lieutenant ro join him. The guy with the goofy smile stood next to him awkwardly and crossed his hands in front of his crotch. "This is your new tactical officer, Lt. Bernard Kochs from West Virginia." We clapped and yelled, not too much because we knew Rancek was still in charge. "Take a look at his nametag. That's Lt. Kochs, pronounced 'COCKS: As of tomorrow morning at 0500, Lt. Kochs takes over the second platoon , and I expect you to treat him with the same respect you've shown for me, and I expect you to perform. I've molded you men into the best damn platoon at the United States Infantry School, and you damn well bener nor ler me down." We again yelled out things like "Go, Deuce," "You damn bcrcha," "Hell yes!" and other such expressions until Rancck motioned for silence. "And now I give you Lt. Kochs." Kochs had taken ofT his cunt cap after he stepped up beside Rancek, revealing a slicked down, blond flattop. He now carefully replaced his cap as we clapped. 'When he stepped forward on the porch, I noticed he wore an Airborne patch. He reminded me something ofJimmy Cagney as the commander in Mister Roberts. Kochs was taller than Cagney, bur he was similarly square and pugnacious and seemed to stand there jutting his chin. "Good morning, men. I am pleased as punch to be taking over from 168 Fort Brrming Blurs [44.213.80.174] Project MUSE (2024-03-19 02:29 GMT) an officer like Lt. Rancek. I know his reputation. He's hard as nails, and you'll find out the...