Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 291 Practice must be combined with theory!

The day after returning from the exercise, although it was still tents and simple cots, fortunately there were no deafening reveilles from the instructors this time. After all, Markarius was not a devil. After returning yesterday, the trainees ate dinner and then worked through the night to clean and maintain their machines. Most of them did not go back to bed until dawn.

Many people didn't even have time to take a shower. They just took off their military uniforms, which were covered in engine oil and other dirt, and fell asleep immediately. After all, without the help of maintenance personnel, it would be really difficult for them to clean the aircraft on their own, even with the assistance of equipment.

However, this pleasant sleep only lasts for one morning, because in the afternoon, what awaits them is a theory class that countless soldiers dread.

Joining the military doesn't mean saying goodbye to books and classrooms for the rest of your life. On the contrary, the use of various technical equipment requires operators to study hard, especially for technical branches like mobile suit pilots. Pilots who master a single type of mobile suit may have it a little easier, but those who master multiple types of mobile suits have to work very hard.

But the dry theory is all about rote memorization, and coupled with the high-intensity physical training, many people find themselves drifting off to sleep during theoretical classes.

After the theory exam, there's an exam. If you fall asleep in class, you'll fail. If you fail, you have to retake the exam, so you have to squeeze in time and even sacrifice sleep to study. Therefore, for most soldiers, the impact of a theory class is even more terrifying than running five kilometers fully armed.

So, around noon, the trainees got up on their own, and after a quick wash, Baninger's voice rang out.

"Everyone, bring your notebooks, assemble in Hangar One!"

"Oh my God!"

When all the trainees were seated in the hangar, they noticed that next to the large screen directly in front of them stood an extremely young brigadier general, whose face was all too familiar to them.

"Red Dragon?"

"This is our army's top ace, coming to teach us a lesson. Isn't that giving me too much credit?"

"Shut up! I'm going to write down everything the brigadier general said. If you bother me again, I'll fucking beat you up when I get back!"

The students who had looked hesitant before the theory class were now incredibly excited, some even wishing they could move their chairs closer together. A few who had been sneaking in a nap during class were now wide-eyed and ready to listen attentively.

Then, when the clock struck two, Makarius finally stood up and walked onto the podium.

"Everyone stand! Salute!"

"The ceremony is complete, please sit down!"

"I think I don't need to introduce myself anymore!"

Makarius stood on the podium and smiled slightly at the students below.

The trainees laughed along with him, because it was true. Any mobile suit pilot who didn't know Macarius was definitely a fake!

"But since this is a class, let me go through the formalities. I am Makarius Skrinni, a mobile suit pilot who considers himself to have decent piloting skills. Also, I think you've already met Major Amurore. Now, let me introduce this one, Dinis Jung, and this one, Major Kanterfield..."

These individuals are also household names among the pilots, just as snipers will always remember Simo Häyhä, Dinis Jung, the king of snipers from Luna II, and Kantfel, the ace of the European armored forces.

"So, your opponents yesterday were actually them!"

“Then, I’d like to ask, Lieutenant Graeme Benjamin! Second Lieutenant Bambino, Second Lieutenant Schockardim!”

Marcarius then named three people; they were the three unlucky guys who were the first to be taken down yesterday.

As Markarius called their names, the three unlucky guys could only stand up with red faces. What was most shameful was that the big screen showed how Jung had sniped the three of them.

"Lieutenant, you have the highest rank, so you go first!"

"Report! I initially thought my teammate's machine had malfunctioned!"

"A malfunction has occurred!"

Marcarius casually picked up Jim's instruction manual, which was lying to the side.

"Then tell me, is there a fault entry for 'destroyed' in Jim's operating manual?"

"Report, no!"

"Lieutenant Bambino, what about you!"

"Report, I also think there's a malfunction!"

"Lieutenant Xiu, you don't also think it's a malfunction, do you?"

The third person could only nod.

"Report, yes!"

"So, you'd rather believe your equipment malfunctioned than believe your machine was destroyed?"

"I'm sorry, sir!"

"No, don't apologize to me, because I'm just the one who signed your death notices. Go apologize to the maintenance crew of your mechs, because they're responsible for dragging back your wrecked mechs covered in your broken flesh and blood to clean them up!"

Does anyone remember what Colonel Norris said yesterday?

Soon, a student raised his hand, stood up, and repeated it in its entirety.

"Very good, excellent memory. Now, can you find the main point of this passage?"

"Report, this is real combat!"

"This is real combat!"

Makarius shrugged.

"Does this statement really mean so little to you?"

Although Makarius did not lose his temper or speak sarcastically, his words were like a resounding slap in the face to these students, many of whom felt their faces burning.

They were familiar with this phrase. In fact, whether it was during military academy exercises or daily training in combat units, they were already very familiar with it. They even used it to remind their subordinates. But now, they were the ones who had stumbled because of it.

"Heads up, everyone. A mistake now is better than losing your life on the battlefield. It's okay if you don't remember it before, but I demand that from today onwards, whenever someone mentions this phrase, you should adopt the alert posture that a soldier should have!"

"Comrades! Mobile Suit pilot is more than just an identity. Indeed, it's a fantastic identity. Not only do you get to fly a powerful and imposing mobile suit, but you can also have beautiful girls throwing themselves at you in bars. I've done it before, and I've done even more outrageous things. I even took girls for a ride in the sky on a flying scooter!"

"Of course, I'm not saying this so you can follow my example. The military police commander is sitting right outside. If he catches you, I won't help you!"

"What I'm trying to say is that this identity also means a responsibility. You will all become mobile suit commanders, leading your own squadrons. At that time, you will be handling more than just your own lives!"

"During the One Year War, I signed a total of 472 death notices! Forty-seven of them were for my mobile suit pilots! Eighty-two were for armored troops, six were for pilots, and the rest were for infantry!" "To this day, I still remember the name of every single one of them, because they died under my command!"

"This responsibility is quite heavy; it will haunt you for a lifetime. On a pleasant afternoon, when you are holding a glass of wine, looking at the clear sky, feeling the gentle breeze on your face, it will suddenly surge into your heart!"

"Don't harbor any illusions that the war is over. No, as long as the Federation's flag still flies, enemies who intend to destroy this existing system will continue to appear. Even right now, in some corner of the Earth Sphere, remnants are fighting against our army!"

"In fact, one day it might be your turn, and you'll be leading your troops to face an unknown enemy under immense pressure!"

"At that time, the shiny mobile suit badges won't help you; the only thing that can help you is this place!"

Makarius pointed to his head.

"Alright, today's lesson isn't really a formal class, just a casual chat. I've finished speaking, now it's your turn!"

"Who will be the next to be destroyed?"

"Well, Lieutenant Malone, tell us what you were thinking back then!"

…………

Macarius stood on the podium and led all the students through the entire battle video. For each fallen pilot, he would ask them to say something, anything, whether it was why they did it or what they were thinking afterward. He would not offer any comments, at least not now!

Soon, it was the turn of the commander for the second half of the exercise, Hiroshi Uraki. He stood up, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

"Report, I think there's a problem with the route I chose!"

Amuro, upon hearing this, nudged Char, who was standing next to him.

"See? My judgment was right!"

What could Char say? He could only nod and say "yes" to show he was good. However, he also remembered the black-haired kid because Amuro would be watching the second combat exercise, while he would be the villain who would shatter other people's dreams.

As for Norris, he'll continue to be the target!
Soon, all the trainees finished speaking. It was clear that these trainees were reflecting on the problems they had encountered in yesterday's exercise. Many of their comments were quite insightful. Although they still couldn't help but include subjective opinions like "I had no problems, it's all my teammates' fault for dragging me down," overall, Markarius was quite satisfied.

A military force that can think is a military force that can win battles!

"Alright, it's almost time. I'll give you one last task. Although Major Amuro has already assigned this task to you, I'll emphasize it again: everyone, write a combat report about yourselves, no less than two thousand words. Don't try to pad it out. I want your genuine insights. The deadline is the day after tomorrow. The Major and I will review them one by one. I won't let anyone who tries to fool me off easily!"

"do you understand?"

"understand!"

"Yes, Baninger, take him back. It's almost time for dinner!"

"All rise!"

Watching the students leave, Makarius stretched his limbs and then looked at Char beside him.

"It should be fine when it's your turn, right? If there are any problems, just let me know!"

"Of course, there's definitely no problem!"

Char knew that Makarius was referring to the second exercise. The formal combat theory class would begin after the second exercise. Makarius adopted a very classic and effective teaching method that combined theory and practice: first, get hit, then reflect, then get hit again, then reflect again, learn a few techniques from the veterans, then continue to get hit, and then continue to learn, using fighting to help learning and learning to promote fighting!
These trainees were all quite well-rounded, even better than the Federation Army pilots during the One Year War. After all, back then, Federation Army pilots had very few learning opportunities; they basically learned how to operate mobile suits before going to the battlefield to learn how to fight.

The current pilots are not lacking in the bloody lessons learned from their predecessors; what they lack is combat experience. Training in a high-pressure combat environment will allow them to grow rapidly. And if these trainees then pass on even just one percent of what they have learned to their own troops, it will be a significant boost to the Federation Army's combat effectiveness!
The second exercise that Char will face will be more difficult overall. After the failure in the first exercise, and after this debriefing meeting, the pilots will make adjustments and be able to get into better shape. So, at that time, Char will not be facing the same situation as Amuro.

"For me, the harder it is, the more challenging it is, isn't it?"

Of course, Macarius prepared better equipment for Char than for Amuro. This was not because of their relationship, but because of considerations of equal strength. When Char went into battle, the trainee pilots could consider tactical configurations and weapon selections in a more balanced way. Therefore, it was not a problem to give Char a more advanced mobile suit. After all, at this moment, he was Captain Kuvatorobagina, and no one else!

Then there shouldn't be any problem if Captain Kuvatorobagina pilots the NT1 Gundam!

"However, I do have another question!"

Char suddenly grabbed Macarius and said.

"You said you were taking a girl for a spin on a flying scooter. I'd like to know, who is which girl?"

"Amuro, why are you running so fast?"

Upon hearing Char's question, Amuro, who was walking in front of the three, immediately started running, leaving Char completely bewildered.

"I'm afraid blood will splatter on my face!"

Amuro spoke as he scurried away quickly.

Meanwhile, Marcarius was being held tightly by Char's clothes.

"Um, if I said I was in the pedals and didn't do anything with Sera, would you believe me?"

"Macarius!"

Xia was furious when he heard this. Neither he nor Lala had tried it. What, did he have some bad intentions and try to use my sister on her?

"Lala, when did you arrive?"

While fending off Char's attacks, Marcarius suddenly looked behind Char.

Char immediately turned around to explain to Lala that he wasn't a short-tempered person, but when he turned around, he found that there was no one behind him, not even a trace of Lala.

Marcarius took advantage of this moment to break free of his restraints and turn to run away.

By the time Char reacted, Makarius had already rushed outside the gate.

"asshole!"

Char then gave chase at three times the speed of the enemy, but just as he was about to catch up with Makarius, a convertible jeep suddenly drove up from the side. The driver was none other than Yudin, one of Makarius's most reliable little brothers.

"ciao!"

Markarius waved his hand lightly, then jumped into the car and drove away little by little under Char's watchful gaze!

(End of this chapter)