Chapter 2

It happened so quickly the next morning that it took me by surprise. The early morning wakeup was in a barracks dorm with our group from yesterday and another group of new arrivals from days before. We were as different from them as chalk and cheese. Already they looked gung-ho dressed in khaki and heads shaved down to a quarter of an inch. They stood at the ends of their bunks which were already made up precisely and sneered at us as we trudged wearily over to the building opposite. Some smart-arse comments were made and George next to me received what I assumed were a few playful punches in the arm and a few derogatory remarks about being the runt of the litter or at least I think they said runt. Some of our group had longish hair. George’s was the longest and it hung down to his shoulder blades. He received a few blown kisses from the close-cropped wannabe soldiers. I saw his fists clench but he said and did nothing except walk with what I saw was dignity but even that rankled those around us.

We carried our cases with us and in the room, we were ordered to strip whilst doctors checked us out. Our clothes and our cases we were told would be stored ‘for a while’. I figured that would be two years of national service at least, unless we failed the physical or died in the interim. We’d heard rumours that Vietnam was not going to be a destination for any further deployment so we had breathed a sigh of relief but who knew what our government would decide to do in the next two years. We were handed a bundle of khaki green underclothes and told to shower. There were no inhibitions allowed in the army and everyone was on view for everyone in the long line of showers. Humility went out the door and this was I guess part of the way the army kills individuality, and enforces compliance. Humiliation is so effective a tool. We stood in line in boxer shorts and singlets. Ahead of us were three chairs and three shearers and we were the sheep penned with no way out. Moustaches and beards went quickly and long lengths of hair adorned the floor to be swept away by someone who was indistinguishable from the people we had left behind in our barracks.

Ushered out of the delousing and shearing shed we walked bare footed across to our barracks in alphabetical order. George Brown was I think the second one through and I was a few places behind. I made it through the doorway and saw that the earlier bunch was gathered around something on the floor prodding it with their boots. I thought they were prodding but it wasn’t very gentle. Being somewhat taller and broader across the shoulder I pushed my way forward to see George lying prone on the ground hands over his groin and curled up trying to protect himself from the kicks he was receiving. The corporal nearby, was just smirking and doing nothing. I shoved some of the attackers aside and stood over George and faced the sullen group around him. My stance was relaxed and my fists poised ready to strike anyone who came close. I looked around and picked my targets. The best way to resolve this would have been to talk them down but they smelt blood. One of them cooed that George had a bum buddy and said someone should teach that ‘poof’ a lesson. He wasn’t offering though merely egging the others on. I looked across at the corporal who should have stepped in but was gazing nonchalantly out the window. It seemed that this sort of bastardry was the norm as a pecking order was established in a group.

My first two targets were the biggest ones there who if they weren’t taken out would have quickly reduced my chances by grabbing hold of me and allowing the others to pile in. My third target was their quasi leader who had called me a ‘poof’. The insult didn’t worry me but if I got him the fight was over. In this sort of situation there is no Marquis of Queensberry rules to follow. I bent pretending to look at George and the two thugs moved in. The first didn’t know what hit him. I did. It was one of the boots that George had dropped when they had tripped him up. I had put it on over my fist and swung my arm hard and upwards into the man’s groin with such force that he fell backwards hunched over, all the air expelled from his lungs so that he couldn’t even shout a cry of anguish. The second attacker was momentarily distracted and that split second was all I needed. His body was slightly off balance and I swept his feet out from underneath him and as he fell, he got a blow on the side of his jaw for good measure. Stunned faces all around, particularly that of my next soon to be victim. I don’t think he saw it coming. I took two quick paces and struck like a tiger snake with my fist. His nose seemed to explode in a mess of gristle and blood. I stood back and just said, “Next?” only to have the word, “Attention!” called out by the corporal who had glanced at the door. Two figures blocked the light.

Everyone including me snapped to attention. An RSM was glaring at everyone and most didn’t make eye contact. I chose to and stared evenly back at him. The captain standing next to him looked disapprovingly at the corporal. The corporal barked an order to two of us to help George to his feet whilst the other three injured men slowly got to their feet. The captain didn’t address us personally but merely whispered a command to the RSM before turning around and exiting the barracks. The RSM waited until he was out of sight before rounding on the corporal, “Just what the fuck is going on here, Corporal? You are in charge of this group here so there better be a bloody good explanation!”

“Sergeant Major, this newcomer here, tripped over his own feet and as others came to help lift him up, this tall bloke just went berserk. I wasn’t quick enough to stop him,” the corporal replied.

“I see, Corporal,” the RSM said as he went over to inspect George who was still hunched over but tried to straighten up as the RSM came nearer. “Is that what happened, soldier?”

George tried to wheeze out an answer but possible broken ribs meant that no audible answer came. The RSM inspected the swelling already appearing on George’s face. “Seems he fell rather heavily, Corporal. Perhaps you shouldn’t have allowed the others to help him up with their boots.” The RSM had already noted the scuff marks on the floor where boots had scraped and the gloss missing off some of the boots of the soldiers.

“You wouldn’t be Raymond Downs, soldier, would you?” I was surprised when he addressed me by name. I thought I was just a number and nothing more. The corporal didn’t even know my name. “You will come with me, right now.” I made to move but looked across at the injured figure of George. The RSM noticed my glance. “Send this man back to the doctors to be patched up, corporal. He may just be clumsy as he’s just passed his eye test. Then send him off to the kitchen. He might as well do something while the rest of you do penance for your sins. You’ll do a twenty km hike followed by the assault course. If you are lucky enough you might be back in time for dinner.” The man with the broken nose was about to ask to see a doctor but a withering look silenced any forthcoming request. “By the way Corporal, you will lead the hike and the assault course test. Setting an example of what should be done in the army it seems will be something new for you. If they’re not all back in time for dinner and/or they aren’t in a good condition, you Corporal, will do the assault course on your own again and again until I think you can actually teach them something.”

I followed the RSM out of the barracks. All the yahooing and steam had been taken out of the men in the barracks. I felt sorry for the other newcomers who had been caught up in pecking order bullying that had occurred. However, I certainly had gained respect for the RSM. I wasn’t much of a marcher but I tried my best to quickly get in step with him as he marched ahead. I was taken to the office of the captain and I stood at attention. It seemed that the RSM had more than dutiful respect for him and as I thought highly of the RSM I was prepared to show due deference to the man seated behind the desk. He had a folder open in front of him. He read it quietly while we waited. He appeared to have read it before and skim read it before closing it.

“At ease, gentlemen.” His voice was quiet, clear and had a firmness that commanded your attention. “Both of you, please take a seat.”

“If it is all right with you, sir, I’d prefer to stand,” the RSM countered.

I looked across at the RSM and then back to the captain and then back to the RSM seeking advice as to what to do. The RSM looked past me and made no movement with his eyes giving me no bloody clue as to what was appropriate. I turned to the captain who smiled and said, “It is okay if you both stand, but I don’t get a lot of chance to sit down so I intend to.”

I stood nervously wondering what my punishment would be for the fight that took place.

“The RSM and I saw what happened as we walked up to the barracks. You handled yourself extremely well. You took out the main protagonists with precision and enough force to get the message across that no-one messes with one of your mates. It would have been better for the corporal to intervene but I assume that he chose not to. I am concerned that you will make a habit of this so I am giving you a warning. Based on your pedigree one warning will be enough, I think. The whole group is to be punished, even your injured mate, as there needs to be a standard set here that what took place won’t be tolerated. If we fight amongst ourselves how can we fight together? Your mate will serve his punishment in the kitchen until he recovers. This will also keep him away from those who ganged up on him this morning. You can also work in the kitchen.”

“Sir, if I may; I would rather show the rest of the group that I don’t deserve any special attention or preferential treatment. I would like to serve my punishment alongside them. I accept the warning that you gave me and will learn from it. It will not happen again,” I said challenging his direction.

“I had a feeling that would be your answer. RSM, make sure this soldier does the required punishment. Have him do it next to that lunatic lazy corporal who may actually learn something about men. Dismissed.”

I turned and followed the RSM out but before I closed the door I hesitated and turned around. “Sir, you mentioned something about my pedigree. I don’t understand.”

The captain looked up from his notes and had a quizzical look on his face. “Your father for one.”

“My father?”

“You mean you don’t know! Come and see me tomorrow. The RSM will organise a time.” He looked down at his notes again unaware that I stood with my mouth agape until the RSM coughed and I walked back to the barracks.