Chapter 244: Trump Card! Thunderstorm Tactics
No matter how indignant and angry Sun Dongping was, this place no longer belonged to him, and the pilot combined arms battalion had nothing to do with him anymore.
Acting Battalion Commander Gao Cheng would take over and open a new chapter for the pilot combined arms battalion.
The next morning at nine o’clock.
The battalion party committee team headed by Acting Battalion Commander Gao Cheng, Political Instructor Ma Tianxiang, and Chief Staff Officer Man Guangzhi, along with a group of staff officers from battalion headquarters, and the company commanders of the five companies gathered in the meeting room.
“Good, now that everyone is here, let’s get started.”
Political Instructor Ma Tianxiang gave a brief opening, then said in summary: “A lot has happened in our battalion recently, and the impact has been quite significant.
Now the morale of the entire battalion has been greatly affected, and the warriors’ morale is very low. This is not conducive to the development of the combined arms battalion, and it must be corrected as soon as possible.
We gathered everyone today to brainstorm and discuss. It’s essentially a discussion meeting. Everyone can share their ideas and speak freely.”
After the Political Instructor finished the opening remarks for the meeting, he turned his gaze to Gao Cheng and said: “Battalion Commander Gao, now the combined arms battalion is under your responsibility. This is the superior’s trust in you, and I believe you have the ability to lead the combined arms battalion.
Why don’t you say a few words to everyone first? What aspects do you think need improvement? Or rather, what kind of approach is more suitable for the development of the combined arms battalion.”
As an excellent political officer, Ma Tianxiang’s words were very skillful.
Not only did they summarize the current situation of the battalion and the crisis it faced, pointing out the reason for the meeting, but they also specifically highlighted the status of the acting battalion commander.
They perfectly served as a stabilizer for the team, bridging the subtle connections between superiors and subordinates, inside and outside.
Everyone followed Political Instructor Ma Tianxiang’s words and focused their gazes on Gao Cheng.
This was the first time in Gao Cheng’s life hosting a battalion-level meeting with more than a dozen people involved. This was completely different from meetings in Steel Seventh Company where just two or three people sat there drinking tea and chatting to finish the meeting.
Suddenly being watched by so many cadres, with his words relating to the development of an entire battalion.
To say there was no pressure at all in his heart.
Would definitely be false.
But Gao Cheng was naturally bold, and this bit of pressure at most made him a little nervous. It wasn’t enough to make him tremble; it was fully within his tolerance.
His gaze swept around the people in the meeting room, and his expression gradually became serious and determined.
He cleared his throat and said: “I’m just a rough guy, I can’t explain big principles. I’ll just simply share some of my thoughts.
In my personal judgment, the combined arms battalion will inevitably be the focus of our army’s reform in the future.
And this pilot combined arms battalion we are in not only needs to enhance its own combat effectiveness, but also shoulders the heavy responsibility of exploring new tactics, new strategies, new training methods, and new models for the entire Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
The greater the responsibility, the heavier the burden on our shoulders. We absolutely cannot slack off even a little.
Although some things have happened recently that affected everyone’s morale, I believe as long as we unite as one, find the right direction, and take Staff Officer Chen’s ideas as the core, we will definitely complete the tasks assigned by the superiors.”
Clap clap…
Enthusiastic applause rang out.
Gao Cheng rarely spoke official language in daily life, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t. And as a top graduate from the military academy, he had plenty of knowledge in him.
Now sitting in the battalion commander position, when speaking formally, it flowed smoothly.
Even though he had just taken the battalion commander seat, he already had the flavor of a division commander’s speech, the unique tone belonging to leaders at that level.
With his own aura, full of big-picture thinking.
“No wonder he’s a second-generation military with background. Growing up immersed in the army since childhood, his aura is different. As soon as he becomes battalion commander, he immediately has the demeanor of one.”
Chen Jun applauded while praising inwardly.
Ma Tianxiang and Man Guangzhi, after hearing Gao Cheng’s speech, also had very positive evaluations of him.
Compared to when Sun Dongping was battalion commander, where meetings were just him talking alone, a complete one-man show with no one else having the right to speak.
Gao Cheng’s simple few words made everyone feel his sincerity.
Working under such a battalion commander might not be particularly easy and comfortable, but at least it wouldn’t feel stifling. Even if tiring, it would be rewarding.
Compared to the gloomy atmosphere under Sun Dongping, the atmosphere Gao Cheng brought was like the midday sun.
Hot to the point of scorching!
Listening to the applause from everyone, the last bit of nervousness in Gao Cheng’s heart gradually dissipated, and he fully immersed himself in the role of battalion commander.
“The next five months of training time is very tight, and our tasks are very arduous. We can no longer afford any relaxation. To successfully complete the final assessment, I think we need to make improvements in the following aspects.”
Gao Cheng paused, then continued: “First, we must strengthen ideological construction and re-boost morale.
We need to make everyone understand the meaning and mission of the combined arms battalion through ideological and political education, enhancing their sense of responsibility and sense of honor.
We can’t treat training as a joke anymore just because of opinions about some matter or some person.
The previous incidents can be let go, but if similar situations occur again later, I will definitely deal decisively with each one.”
When Gao Cheng said this, his gaze was stern, specifically looking at the four company commanders sitting in the back.
The company commanders all understood what Gao Cheng meant.
It was clear: they needed to quickly pull themselves together. They had slacked off for several months before; don’t let their minds wander. Now they must quickly refocus.
Otherwise, don’t blame him Gao Cheng for turning hostile when the time comes; he would handle it as needed.
Everyone was originally dissatisfied with Sun Dongping, not with the combined arms battalion. Now that Sun Dongping had been driven away, everyone’s anger had dissipated.
Naturally, they wouldn’t cause any more trouble and would definitely fully cooperate in building the combined arms battalion.
So facing Gao Cheng’s gaze, everyone did not avoid it at all, but expressed their current resolute attitude with their eyes and expressions.
Gao Cheng was very satisfied with everyone’s performance and continued: “The warriors’ low morale is largely because they lack confidence in certain chief officers, and also dissatisfaction with certain institutional plans.
Now everything has returned to the right track. The canceled subsidies will not only continue to be issued to everyone, but the missing months will also be made up later.”
Clap clap…
Another round of enthusiastic applause rang out.
Resuming salary subsidies for the warriors had a particularly special meaning for them, not just the superficial few dozen yuan.
“Second point, optimize the training model.”
Gao Cheng held up two fingers and said: “The combat model of the combined arms battalion is vastly different from traditional units. We need to explore more scientific and efficient training methods to enhance the officers and soldiers’ cooperative combat ability.
I suggest introducing more actual combat training subjects, simulating real battlefield environments, so warriors can improve their skills in actual operations.
For the specific implementation methods and training plans, I think we can hand them over to Staff Officer Chen to be fully responsible. Does anyone have any opinions on what I said?
If you have opinions, raise your hand now. If not, we’ll proceed this way.”
Chen Jun was the absolute core. Everyone up and down the entire Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment had no doubt whatsoever about Chen Jun’s ability.
Having Chen Jun responsible for the combined arms battalion’s training, everyone was completely convinced.
Naturally, no one raised their hand in opposition!
“Good, no one has opinions, so let’s continue.”
Gao Cheng was not surprised by this result and continued straightforwardly: “Third point, the training volume is very large, and various consumptions are also high, so logistics support work must be in place.
The combined arms battalion’s combat methods are different, and the equipment and supplies demands are also different from traditional units. We need to establish a more flexible and efficient logistics support system to ensure the smooth progress of training and combat.
I was originally the deputy battalion commander in charge of logistics. Training matters will be handled by Staff Officer Chen, and logistics will be personally overseen by me.
Fourth point, and the last one, we must strengthen internal communication.
The combined arms battalion is composed of various different branches of service. The combat methods and personnel complexity far exceed traditional units, requiring even closer collaboration between various units.
Even teeth and tongue can fight, and different units need frequent integrated training, inevitably leading to disharmony.
I suggest holding regular coordination meetings to promptly resolve problems arising in training and daily life, avoiding misunderstandings and conflicts.”
Gao Cheng really had a lot of knowledge.
The four points he summarized were all very precise.
Every key issue within the current combined arms battalion was accurately pointed out by Gao Cheng, and each came with a solution.
This seemingly simple four-point summary proved that Gao Cheng had sufficient ability to serve as battalion commander.
Even if the division commander came, he couldn’t find fault.
Comparing horizontally to the previous battalion commander Sun Dongping, Gao Cheng, apart from not having studied at National Defense University or been sent abroad for combined arms troops training, thus being inferior to Sun Dongping in understanding combined arms tactics.
In every other aspect, he completely dominated Sun Dongping without any blind spots.
Originally, even if not said aloud, there were some in their hearts who still questioned whether Gao Cheng, who had only been a company commander and jumped three levels up in a few months, could serve as a deputy regiment level battalion commander.
For example, Political Instructor Ma Tianxiang, Third Company Commander Huang Yang, and others.
After hearing the four points summarized by Gao Cheng, there was no more doubt. Everyone believed that with Gao Cheng, the combined arms battalion would definitely pass the final assessment.
After all, no one had forgotten that Gao Cheng had the strongest right-hand man in history.
Training handled by the freak Chen Jun, future command and combat with Chen Jun as the backbone, logistics and coordination by Gao Cheng.
As long as Gao Cheng and Chen Jun were on the same page, their unity would be enough to break gold.
And with the simple language that won everyone’s approval, Gao Cheng’s confidence surged with the words, and the battalion commander’s aura began to show.
His gaze swept over everyone again, softening, and his tone became a bit gentler.
With a slight smile, he said: “These are some of my preliminary thoughts. How to implement them specifically, and whether there are places for improvement, still needs everyone’s collective wisdom.
But I believe that as long as we work together, the combined arms battalion will surely overcome the current difficulties and usher in its new era.”
Clap clap…
Applause rang out once again.
This time it was even more enthusiastic and prolonged. A dozen people made the sound of dozens.
And with the end of Gao Cheng’s speech, the gloom from the first failed assessment completely dissipated, and the atmosphere in the meeting room obviously became lively.
The company commanders and staff officers also loosened up and began to voice their own views.
The meeting entered a heated discussion phase!
Everyone freely spoke out all the various big and small problems discovered during the previous four months of training.
The training ground and camp were newly built, and new things always have various small issues.
For example, insufficient training equipment quantities, inefficient fuel replenishment procedures for each company’s logistics, problems with the cook platoon’s meal serving speed leading to frequent meal delays, etc.
These seemingly trivial matters actually related to the fundamentals of the combined arms battalion.
If not effectively resolved, they would inevitably affect combat effectiveness.
Everyone raised various small problems, which were organized, sorted, and recorded by the meeting secretary, to be gradually improved and rectified later.
Attempting any new thing cannot be achieved overnight; the purpose of the pilot is to find various small problems.
Seeing everyone fully engaged, with extraordinarily heated discussions in the meeting, Chen Jun couldn’t help but smile at the corners of his mouth.
This was the combined arms battalion he wanted to see!
Not like when Sun Dongping was in power, where meetings were dead silent, like a senile old man, completely lacking any spirit, energy, and mind.
With the new battalion commander Gao Cheng in place, the combined arms battalion regained its youthful vitality.
The power of the newborn brought new changes.
When Chen Jun returned to his training staff officer post and issued his formulated training plan to each company, the warriors’ training enthusiasm was extraordinarily high.
The high quality brought by the all-NCO battalion made the warriors’ learning ability particularly strong.
The speed of learning things.
Was even faster than Chen Jun had estimated.
Plus, during the previous four months of training, the company commanders below were just opposing Sun Dongping and not following his training plan.
It wasn’t that they weren’t training; they were idling on the training ground every day.
But they were still following Chen Jun’s training plan, conducting normal training on the training ground. In fact, they had already learned his training plan to a certain extent.
And the last and most important point.
Now the entire combined arms battalion from top to bottom was united, with morale soaring to an unprecedented height.
Under the influence of these three factors, the training plan that Chen Jun originally formulated to take a month was completed by the warriors in just three weeks.
Saving one week in a month meant saving five weeks in five months.
Equivalent to having more than a month of spare time.
With so much spare time, this allowed Chen Jun to be even bolder, adding some more challenging subjects on top of the original basic training.
He even specifically spent a full half month crafting a great killer weapon “tactic” exclusive to the combined arms battalion.
Chen Jun named it the “Thunderstorm” tactic!
He was determined to use this custom-tailored tactic in the assessment confrontation that determined the life and death of the combined arms battalion, to put on a shocking performance for the entire army.
In the most perfect and dazzling way, to open a new chapter belonging to Steel Seventh Company.
