Nightmares
By R.A. Camaro

This day was warm in Georgia; the birds were singing; a soft breeze was wafting through the trees, and a vehicle was passing by, disturbing the tranquility of the scene. Breaking his thoughts of being at home with friends, Ed was suddenly aware again that he w as in the officers' barracks waiting to be summoned before a hearing board considering his promotion. After a quick knock on the door, the Sergeant entered all neat and in proper military form said, "Sir, Major Fowler requests your presence at this time."

Returning the salute, Ed said, "Let's go, Sergeant."

"Good luck" was the reply as the Sergeant opened the screen door.

"Thanks," said Ed as they went down the neatly trimmed path to the meeting room. The Sergeant opened the door. As Ed stepped into the room , he could see all five officers looking neat, very military, and stern-faced. When Ed saw their faces, he just knew he hadn't made it. He stood before the Board and said, "Sir, Second Lieutenant Edward G. Miller reporting, Sir."

"At ease, Lieutenant, and sit down," answered the Major.

"Lieutenant, how long have you been in now?" a Captain asked.

"Twelve months." Ed wasn't sure why he said twelve months; it just seemed shorter and more impressive to be offered a promotion.

There was silence from the Board lasting at least a full minute when the Major asked, "Have you considered duty in Vietnam as a combat officer? I see you've completed Path Finder Training, and they need good officers."

Ed did not hesitate. He knew what they were implying, so he responded, "Sir, I had intended to request duty in Vietnam whether or not I was promoted. I hoped that I would get a better assignment if I were a First Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant, we have a major need for LRRP trained units that can f unction independently of other assistance to gather vital information and to do search and destroy missions when necessary. This consists of one officer and two N.C.O.'s and three or four enlisted men. They'll be exempt from any duties except those in relation to their missions. Promotions will be very quick as there will be only a few units in each area, so fewer personnel to compete for the slots. I believe that if you were to request a transfer to one of those units, a promotion would be in order. A lit tle jungle training with your unit, and off you go!"

"Sir, " Ed interrupted, "does this mean you're suggesting I take this assignment in order to get this promotion or just hang in there until an opening comes about that no one wishes to occupy? I didn't take this assignment to suit your needs."

"That will be enough, Lieutenant, or you'll be in charge of KP assignments until your discharge!" the Major bellowed. "Who do you think you are? MacArthur? You'll abide by the decision of this Board, and as far as co mbat duty goes, if the Army decides it's best to send you into a combat zone, you better pack your gear, soldier!"

Ed knew he was in trouble now. He had overstepped his bounds before, so now he needed to finish what had started through anger from both sides. "Sir, if I may at this time say that I find myself very interested in the LRRP units, and at this time I would like to officially request a transfer to an LRRP unit and duty in Vietnam."

The Major quickly said, "Please wait outside, Lieutenant. We will discuss your request and promotion and call you back when we are ready."

"Thank you, Sir." Ed said as he saluted, waited a few seconds, and when no one returned his salute, left the room. He lit a cigarette, thinking he should quit someday. "Maybe it doesn't matter if I go into combat smoking, as it may not be what's bad for my health." Ed thought to himself.

Inside the conference room the five officers discussed the Wac with the big tits and the golf course being wet from the cold rain. As for Lieutenant Miller's case, they had reached a decision that morning at breakfast in the Officer's Club, which they had opened for a special meeting. On the file was stamped TOP SECRET. Word had come from MACV Headquarters to all division training commanders requesting volunteer personnel for LRRP assignments. The North Vietnamese had been increasing their supplies and men for what was thought to be a major offensive. Lieutenant Ed Miller had volunteered by the nature of his abilities, which were good, and as for his problem with superiors, they believed he would volunteer if goaded properly. Once in a combat zone he would probably straighten up or not be a problem any more to anyone. The promotion accompanied the assignment.

After all, they couldn't allow an important assignment to go to a Second Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Miller's men had also been chosen. They did not know it yet, either. They would be getting their orders of transfer tomorrow morning. Not having allowed the Lieutenant the opportunity to decide to volunteer first before organizing the unit would not have looked good.

About five minutes had passed when someone remembered today was "happy hour" all afternoon at the Officers Club, so one of the captains went to the door and asked Ed to return to the room. He was barely through the doorway when the Major said, "Lieutenant, we have accepted your request for transfer to LRRP and also our congratulations, First Lieutenant Miller, on your promotion. Your orders will be out as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Sir," was all Ed could think to say. What else could he say? He knew he had been conned into the transfer, but, what the hell! he would be away from all the desk officers who are more concerned about the uniforms being pressed and neat than about the men in their units. Because their way didn't make waves, they believed they might be promoted or, at least, not bothered until their retirement.

"Lieutenant," came the Major's voice, bringing Ed back to the present situation, "you'll be assigned your team tomorrow and begin training next week in special tactics and jungle school with former Vietnamese combat veterans. You'll be taken to your training area in the morning and begin preparing for that training. You'll have your own office during your stay there. If you find that you have some reason for not wanting any one or all of these men, you will be assigned a new team. These men have never met each other as far as we know. This includes yourself. Do you have any questions at this time? You will be briefed at the training center by your training team in the morning."

"No, Sir," Ed said, He knew he did, but he would rather wait until morning when he could talk to the men who knew the answers.

"You may go now, Lieutenant," the Major said as he stood up and walked out, not even giving Ed the courtesy of a salute.

The other officers followed suit and began talking about who was going to drive and who was buying at the club. Ed decided he would go into town and get drunk and forget everything for the night.

At 0600 reveille was played over a loud speaker that reached almost the entire base. People everywhere were dragging themselves from bed. The military personnel on KP duty had already been up for two hours preparing breakfast. They knew that in thirty minutes, like everyday, people would be entering the mess hall to complain about the food and drink the coffee, to which referred as "radiator cleaner," but they continued to return each day.

Formations were starting along with the daily roll call. Today orders would be han ded to seven men...orders which would change their lives from now on. Across the base each name was being called seconds apart - Johnson, Dave; Davis, William; William, Anthony; Munser, Kenneth; Tillman, Ronald; Grossman, Marc; Sergeant Miller, Edward; Lieutenant. Basically what the orders announced was: "The following men should be prepared to move out at 1600 hours today for reassignment to a special unit for transfer to USARV. You will turn in all unit property and await transportation at your Company Headquarters."

The orders were signed by the Commanding General of Fort Gordon, Georgia. All the enlisted men wondered about the "special unit." They knew they had requested transfers to Vietnam, but as most men in the service felt, "What can you say except 'bye-bye'?"

Packing and saying farewells to friends required most of the day. All were ready when the truck arrived, driven by an MP. As they climbed into the truck, they said nothing to one another.

They just wondered why the MP? Why was no one talking? However, no one took the initiative to say anything. The truck halted in front of a home on the base and out came a Sergeant E-6. The MP informed him that he was to ride in front. After the Sergeant was seated, he asked about their destination. The MP responded that all he knew was that he was taking them to an old area that is fenced off. He didn't know why and asked the Sergeant if he knew.

Tom answered, "No, no idea at all." The MP was trying to figure out why an MP had to drive and not a regular driver, but as a soldier had learned not to ask why but just to do what he was told to do.

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Note: The author is now in search of a publisher for the full-length version of Nightmares. If you know of a publisher who might be interested, or if you are a publisher and you're interested, please contact By R.A. Camaro. --Al Colombo