Eden's Hammer - By Lloyd Tackitt Page 0,44
they’ve done us as much good as they’re going to now anyway.
“I’ve identified the men and women that will be the battlefield medics and stretcher bearers. They’re all in intensive training at the hospital and every one of them is catching on fast. Their morale is good, and they are all proud of their role. They are getting tremendous support from the combat teams also; they see them as battle field angels and let them know it.
“The MASH unit is organized and ready to set up wherever needed. They can set up in under twenty minutes now, excluding tents, and start moving out to relocate on a minute’s notice. You didn’t mention drilling them but I thought it a good idea so went ahead. They needed to learn how to pack and unpack quickly. They’ve also been getting training in map reading so that they can find their way to the next spot. The village hospital has been organized for rapid response to incoming patients from the MASH unit, or from walking wounded. That’s something else I instituted. The medics will determine if a person can’t continue to fight, but can walk to the hospital bypassing the MASH unit. If they can be treated on the battle field and returned to the fight they will be. Triage in the field, so to speak.”
Adrian said, “Good report and excellent decisions. How do you feel now about being second in command?”
“Better. Your demonstrated trust in me hasn’t gone unnoticed by the troops, and I was given enough rope to prove or disprove that trust. Apparently I am proving it, because I haven’t had a single problem with my orders being followed. I thought I would have some trouble from the men, but I haven’t.”
Adrian said, “That’s well and good, and as I expected, but I meant how are you feeling yourself? What’s your confidence level now?”
“As good as it can be, knowing I haven’t been tested under real conditions.”
“That’s an honest answer. I appreciate that. I want you to know that I have one hundred percent confidence in you when the bullets are flying. I didn’t choose you for this randomly, but I can’t exactly explain my reasoning, because it is more of an intuitive feeling than a logical formula. My gut tells me that you’ll remain cool and level no matter what, that you can and will think on your feet, and that you’ll remain clear-headed and see the big picture as events change and swirl around you. That is a rare talent—staying cool and seeing the overall battlefield under intense pressure. It’s what makes a leader, and exactly what the troops not only need, but fully deserve. They deserve to receive orders from someone who is in control and can act rationally and rapidly as needed.
“I’m sure you’re still wondering why I didn’t pick one of my own teammates from the Army to command the women. Let me add in another element I didn’t go into previously. My guys are all outstanding soldiers, battle tested and excellent at what they do. What they do is follow orders extremely well. What they don’t do—and never had any expectation of doing—is to have to think up what those orders should be. I was in the same boat until recently, when events forced me to take a leading role. It was sort of a field promotion. Creating battle plans, organizing troops, determining the strategy and tactics were new for me. Maybe I have some talent for it—I think I do—but more important is that other people believe I do and rely on me, so I have to do it well.
“You’re in the same spot I was in. You’re having this thrust on you, on top of that, you have no battle experience . I can only imagine how strange this must be for you, but I believe you have the clear-headed thinking that the role requires. A bonus is that you don’t have baggage with any of the women, no old resentments from the past. The fact that you don’t have battle experience, of course, creates self-doubt in your ability to carry it off. Any intelligent person would and should have those doubts. Your being a woman is not relevant; this isn’t about what chromosomes you were born with, and I hope it’s not playing much in your thinking. It certainly isn’t in mine. If it is, just remember Joan of Arc, Zenobia, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, and thousands of other female war