Chapter 194: Independent Composite Battalion?
The Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment has become the pilot unit for the combined arms battalion, which is equivalent to a big pie falling from the sky.
Regiment Commander Wang was hit by this big pie, and one can only imagine how happy he was. On the way back from the meeting, his whole brain was floating.
So excited!
So thrilled!
Upon returning to regiment headquarters, he didn’t even have time to take a sip of tea. He first sent the clerk to notify the regimental duty room to contact Deputy Company Commander Chen and Gao Cheng from the Steel Seventh Company, and have them report to the regiment commander’s office immediately at the fastest speed.
“Company commander, company commander, hurry, hurry, go to regiment headquarters. The regiment commander has something for you.”
The clerk received the order from regiment headquarters, and it was repeatedly emphasized to expedite it, so he immediately dashed off like smoke toward the training ground, shouting from far away.
When he got closer, he saw Chen Jun was also nearby, and quickly added: “Deputy company commander, you have to go too. The regiment commander has an urgent matter and is looking for both of you.”
“What’s so urgent, like it’s on fire.”
Gao Cheng saw the clerk panting and out of breath, puzzled as he took the hat and webbing from the communicator next to him and put them on.
“I guess it’s probably about the military reform. Calculating the time, it’s about due.”
Chen Jun guessed, also putting on his hat.
As high-level commanders of the company, they could relax a bit on the training ground, but when going to regiment headquarters to see the regimental leader, military appearance must still be maintained.
“Military reform? What does that have to do with us? Our combined arms company definitely won’t be affected. The ones who should be worried are the other companies.”
Gao Cheng and Chen Jun walked toward the garage together, casually saying so as they walked.
“Company commander, military reform isn’t all bad news. Bad things indeed won’t come to us, but don’t forget, we do have a share in the good things.”
Chen Jun smiled.
He smiled very confidently.
Because Chen Jun had basically guessed it: what could make the regiment commander so urgent was most likely that preparations for the combined arms battalion had finally landed.
If it was just reorganizing one of the companies in the regiment, the regiment commander wouldn’t call him, Chen Jun, over.
And certainly not so urgently, like the eyebrows are on fire.
“Good news?? You mean…”
Gao Cheng suddenly realized, instantly excited, thrilled to the point where he couldn’t speak properly.
“Just what you’re thinking, probably not far off.” Chen Jun nodded with a smile.
“Great, it’s finally here.”
Gao Cheng, upon hearing it was about the combined arms battalion, immediately became even more excited than Chen Jun, changing from walking to jogging straight to the garage.
As Chen Jun’s direct superior, except for sleeping at night, they were basically together at all other times.
Gao Cheng naturally knew what Chen Jun had been busy with after the exercise.
He had also been keeping this combined arms battalion matter in mind, even more eagerly than Chen Jun.
Gao Cheng had now been company commander for almost three years, and this exercise had earned so many honors. With his status, he should have been promoted to deputy battalion commander long ago.
The reason there had been no movement in the past few months was that Gao Cheng was holding it back himself.
With the combined arms company developing so hot, staying here was like sitting on a “treasure basin,” with endless opportunities for earning merit and awards in the future.
Moreover, there’s a saying: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.
In the Steel Seventh Company, this combined arms company, Gao Cheng was the company commander of the division’s strongest company, making him the division’s most excellent company commander, with face wherever he went.
And Gao Cheng was someone who cared a lot about face.
But if he left the Steel Seventh Company, whether going to any battalion in the T Division as deputy battalion commander, or to the agency as staff officer, even to the division staff department.
His status would plummet.
Besides the title changing from company commander to deputy battalion commander, nothing else, let alone having standing in the division, it would be tough even in the regiment.
The various benefits from building up the combined arms battalion later would have nothing to do with him anymore.
So.
Gao Cheng was reluctant to leave the Steel Seventh Company, even if not becoming deputy battalion commander.
But occupying the company commander position without moving, Chen Jun had no way to rise up, which made him feel very disloyal, like he was letting Chen Jun down.
Under this conflicting emotion, one can imagine how bad Gao Cheng’s mood was.
Until Chen Jun later proposed the idea of the combined arms battalion, and also told Gao Cheng that he had communicated with the division commander, with a chance to build a larger-scale combined arms battalion.
Gao Cheng’s eyes lit up at that moment.
Because Gao Cheng realized the only solution was to build the combined arms battalion.
This way.
He, Gao Cheng, could go be the deputy battalion commander of the combined arms battalion, then battalion commander later, advancing smoothly all the way.
While Chen Jun could take over as company commander of the Steel Seventh Company, then to deputy battalion commander, stepping up together hand in hand.
The two each got what they needed, perfectly solving the problem.
The combined arms battalion was the only way to resolve the conflict, so how could Gao Cheng not be more eager than Chen Jun.
Under the stimulation of this excited mood, Chen Jun and Gao Cheng got to the garage, got into the 212 military vehicle, chatted passionately, and soon arrived at the regiment commander’s office.
“Come, sit down and talk.”
Regiment Commander Wang had been waiting a long time. Seeing the two come in, he gestured for them to sit opposite, then opened the conversation.
“I just came back from the division, bringing one good and one bad piece of news. Do you want to hear the good news first, or the bad news first?”
Regiment Commander Wang rarely joked lightly, showing how relaxed his mood was now.
“I’ve already heard the good news. It must be that the combined arms battalion matter has landed, right? Old Chen told me. Just tell us the bad news.”
Gao Cheng was always very casual in front of Regiment Commander Wang. While speaking, he had already picked up the regiment commander’s tea cup.
“I say, why do you always drink my tea? Don’t you have one in front of you? Little Liao just brewed it. Could it be mine tastes better?”
Regiment Commander Wang was amused and exasperated with Gao Cheng, and could only snatch his own tea cup back.
“Used to drinking it.”
Gao Cheng grinned, saying it like it was true.
“…”
To say something like “used to drinking it,” Regiment Commander Wang was left speechless, simply getting to the point: “The bad thing, actually isn’t that bad.
The order from above has come down. The Great Merit Sixth Company will be disbanded. The military region’s electronic warfare company is expected to move into the Sixth Company at the beginning of next year.
Not only replacing the Sixth Company’s establishment, but also confirmed to become part of the combined arms battalion.”
“Good thing, how is this bad.”
Gao Cheng was very excited, happily saying: “Our regiment lacks an electronic warfare company. Last exercise, communications were cut off, making us fight very passively.
If we have this electronic warfare company, our combat effectiveness will at least double.
As for the Great Merit Sixth Company being disbanded, although regrettable, for improving our Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment’s combat effectiveness, I think it’s worth it.”
Gao Cheng thought about the huge benefits an additional electronic warfare company could bring.
He truly had no emotion about the Sixth Company being disbanded.
Actually, one can’t blame Gao Cheng for being heartless. The knife isn’t cutting on himself, and it doesn’t concern him much anyway, especially since it brings benefits to him.
Put oneself in the other’s shoes.
If it was the Steel Seventh Company being disbanded, and the Sixth Company was now the combined arms company, the Sixth Company Commander would also accept this result with a smile, just like Gao Cheng.
“Sigh, yes, the trend of the times.”
Regiment Commander Wang actually knew this was a good thing too, but as regiment commander, standing from a different angle, thinking differently, he still had a bit of nostalgia.
The sixteen companies of the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment are like his own children. After so many years, he had deep feelings. Losing any would inevitably make the regiment commander feel bad.
Human nature, understandable.
“So, regiment commander, you called us two over. What specifically do you want to discuss? Or rather, what aspects need us two to handle?” Chen Jun went straight to the point.
“I called you over mainly for three things.”
Regiment Commander Wang habitually lit a cigarette to refresh before getting to business, took one and tossed it to Gao Cheng, knowing Chen Jun didn’t smoke so didn’t give him one.
“Pa da~”
The lighter lit the cigarette, and Regiment Commander Wang continued: “First thing is that the Sixth Company’s establishment is being disbanded, with all new personnel moving in. I heard it’s an all-officer company. The Sixth Company’s warriors all need to be rearranged.
Their company is gone, so whether the warriors leave or stay, this issue can’t be ambiguous.
The regiment will hold a meeting later to discuss. Before the regimental party committee meeting starts, I want to hear your two’s opinions. Any special demands?”
The subtext of the regiment commander’s words was already very clear.
That is, the combined arms battalion is the core of the future Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment. The Sixth Company overall disbanding means splitting up. Besides some retiring or transferring to civilian jobs, some will stay.
The staying ones vary in quality and ability; it depends on whether Chen Jun and Gao Cheng want to pre-select them.
Let them pick first, then allocate to other companies.
Regiment Commander Wang treated the combined arms battalion as the mainstay, so making exceptions was reasonable.
“Demands? Of course there are.”
Gao Cheng had a bit of a “bandit temperament,” wanting to grab all the good stuff. The Sixth Company was a big rich one; how could it not tempt him.
He immediately made the first demand: “The Sixth Company has quite a few good soldiers, like that kid from Inner Mongolia. Very gutsy, I like him. We can take them all to our Seventh Company. However many, I want them all.”
Ba Te Er from the Sixth Company was indeed fierce, ranking second among non-commissioned officers across the whole regiment.
Such a fierce soldier.
No wonder Gao Cheng coveted him!
“However many, you want them all? You brat, learning from Han Xin in counting troops, the more the better?”
Regiment Commander Wang laughed and teased, then said seriously: “The Steel Seventh Company is the mainstay of the combined arms battalion, so it definitely gets preferential treatment, but can’t go overboard.
Your Steel Seventh Company can’t eat all the meat; you have to leave some soup for the other companies, right?
How about this: give you ten quotas. Your company picks first. That’s already the limit. The regiment has its own difficulties.”
Regiment Commander Wang didn’t spell out the difficulties, but Gao Cheng and Chen Jun knew well.
This military reform focused on informatization. Besides updating establishment and equipment, the main task was demilitarization.
Every regiment had to provide enough people to leave the troops in this wave of reform.
In the original drama, Old Ma, Shi Jin, and others leaving was because the regiment had a task, requiring some to leave; they were just some of them.
From Regiment Commander Wang’s hinting words, old-model tanks required four to drive, new models only three.
The Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment had to cut at least a quarter!
Even though new troops were joining, like the all-cadet red card electronic reconnaissance company, supplementing some numbers to the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
But the original old comrades of the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, plus private first class veterans restricted from becoming non-commissioned officers.
At least two or three hundred would be cut!
“Alright, ten it is. Deal. When the time comes, I’ll write the list and report it.” Gao Cheng knew the regiment commander’s difficulties and agreed straightforwardly.
The Great Merit Sixth Company matter was settled, and the Steel Seventh Company got its benefits.
Regiment Commander Wang continued.
The military region’s order only approved forming the combined arms battalion, with no specific instructions on how, leaving it to the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment to provide a concrete plan.
Regiment Commander Wang couldn’t come up with a plan himself, so he handed it to Chen Jun.
A mature combined arms battalion formation plan actually divides into two major parts: first, where the establishment falls; second, camp construction.
Regiment Commander Wang’s second matter was discussing placing the combined arms battalion in which battalion.
Because the combined arms battalion was now just a pilot. Before passing the military region’s assessment work, it couldn’t have a formal establishment designation.
It could only use one of the current battalions in the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment as pilot.
So which current battalion to use as pilot became a very key matter.
The Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment now had three combat battalions. Given the combined arms battalion’s unique branch configuration, needing armored, infantry, artillery, and logistics.
The main tank First Battalion, main infantry Second Battalion, main artillery Third Battalion, all were suitable breeding grounds.
Regiment Commander Wang already understood combined arms companies about eighty percent, but combined arms battalions only superficially. He needed “expert” Chen Jun to handle it personally.
After hearing Regiment Commander Wang’s description, Gao Cheng first proposed: “The Steel Seventh Company is in the Second Battalion, and the Sixth Company is also changing to electronic warfare company. Since two companies are already in the Second Battalion, just pilot it there.
The combined arms battalion configuration isn’t five companies? We’ll use the most efficient method.
Transfer out the Eighth Company and Ninth Company, allocate one each from the First Battalion and Second Battalion, get a tank company from the First Battalion, an artillery company from the Third Battalion.
The remaining Tenth Company is simple: reorganize it into a support company, and the combined arms battalion configuration is complete.”
Gao Cheng’s method was indeed simpler, fitting his rough character: bold and sweeping, solving the problem quickly.
Details later.
“Um, that’s indeed an idea.”
Regiment Commander Wang nodded in agreement, but wanted to hear Chen Jun’s opinion, so specifically asked: “Chen Jun, what do you think?”
“Regiment commander, using the Second Battalion as pilot is theoretically fine, but we can’t mess up the whole regiment into chaos, all revolving around the combined arms battalion, leaving the other two battalions unable to train.”
When Chen Jun spoke business, he didn’t care about face, saying what needed to be said.
Fortunately, Gao Cheng wasn’t petty. Even if his suggestion was overturned on the spot by Chen Jun, he wasn’t annoyed, even self-mockingly joking: “I’m just half-baked at combined arms tactics. See, exposed right away, haha.”
“What I said isn’t necessarily right. Discussing together is best.”
Chen Jun also gave Gao Cheng a boost, then formally said: “Actually, combined arms battalion establishment is very complex. Depending on the combat missions borne by the subordinate troops, the establishment differs.
To achieve maximum combat effectiveness, at least seven companies’ configuration is needed.
For example, heavy combined arms battalion with armored artillery type: tank company and artillery company need to increase accordingly. Like our field unit’s armored infantry regiment, infantry companies relatively more.
The plan I sent to the division this time only used five companies’ configuration.
On one hand, just starting now, can’t gather that many configurations at once. Second, as pilot, five companies already embody combined arms battalion characteristics.
Tank company, infantry company, electronic warfare company, artillery air defense company, engineer support company—these five major foundation blocks must be set up.”
Chen Jun said a long string in one breath, then drank water to pause, letting the regiment commander and Gao Cheng digest.
Then continued: “To ensure during the combined arms battalion preparation process, and after the pilot succeeds and becomes an independent establishment, it doesn’t affect the Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment’s overall operations and training.
Plus the military region gave broad authority this time, the entire Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment is within adjustment scope.
I think, either don’t do it, or do it thoroughly in one step, solving all future troubles, directly boosting combat effectiveness.
So, my suggestion is… independently separate the combined arms battalion.”
Chen Jun’s suggestion started with a king bomb. Just this one sentence dumbfounded Gao Cheng and Regiment Commander Wang, completely not understanding what it meant.
“Independently separate the combined arms battalion? Newly add a battalion’s establishment? We don’t have that many manpower in the regiment.” Gao Cheng said stunned.
“Um, newly add a battalion, must transfer troops from the division, even military region. Probably very difficult to operate.” Regiment Commander Wang also frowned.
Newly adding a combined arms battalion establishment meant getting five companies from elsewhere.
Indeed hard to operate.
Especially under this reform and demilitarization background, above wants to reduce troops, and you want to add a battalion—going against above.
To complete this operation, four words describe it: fraught with difficulties.
