The hospital is too busy, so I'm going to join the army and become a top soldier!

The next morning.

As soon as the reveille sounded, the dormitory of Class Two quickly became lively.

Everyone jumped out of bed immediately, even faster than on the day of the graduation exam.

There was no training or assessment today.

Today is their conferment ceremony!

The winter military uniform I just received yesterday is already neatly folded and placed at the head of my bed.

After everyone finished washing up, they couldn't wait to change into their new military uniforms and began checking each other's collars, cap badges, and belts.

Wei Shanjia dressed and stood in front of the mirror, looking at himself several times.

The new military uniform looks much better than the training clothes we usually wear.

The moment you put it on, your spirits instantly change!

However, there was still nothing on his shoulders.

He didn't have a single military rank.

Wei Shanjia looked at it for a while and felt that something crucial was missing.

Ga Wa also looked down and touched his empty shoulders.

"Hey friend."

"The clothes are new."

"But what about our crutches?"

"What's the rush?"

Gao Zhenhai's voice came from the doorway.

He walked into the dormitory with the military appearance inspection registration form in his hand and glared at Ga Wa.

"Your military rank is awarded by the military, not something they casually slip into your pocket when they issue winter uniforms!"

"I will personally put the ranks on you during the conferment ceremony later!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of everyone in Class Two lit up instantly.

It turned out that the squad leader personally pinned their military ranks on them!

Ga Wa quickly took his hand off his shoulder, but couldn't suppress his smile.

Wei Shanjia stopped looking in the mirror and quickly went to stand in front of his seat.

Gao Zhenhai inspected the dormitory from the entrance.

Check if the collar is folded up, if the cap badge is straight, if the belt is misaligned, and if there are any loose threads on the clothes.

Gao Zhenhai examined everything very carefully, leaving no detail overlooked!

"Wei Shanjia, pull your belt up a little!"

"Little one, put your hat on properly!"

"Your hat tilts to whichever side you turn your head, right?"

The little boy quickly straightened his hat.

After checking the last person, he took two steps back and looked at the group of new recruits in their brand-new winter uniforms.

Three months ago, when they first entered the camp, their formation was crooked and awkward.

Even hats, belts, and shoelaces can each have their own ideas.

Now everyone stands together, their posture upright and their expressions serious; they finally look like real soldiers!

Looking at the soldiers he had trained, Gao Zhenhai said with a proud expression:

"The whole class has them!"

"Meet downstairs!"

"yes!"

……

As dawn broke, the main playground was already packed with people.

Everyone in the recruit company changed into winter uniforms without ranks and lined up neatly according to their platoon positions.

At the front of the parade ground, the brigade leaders, regimental commanders, and officers from all companies had all arrived.

Each squad leader held a tray with the ranks of privates.

Wei Shanjia stood in the queue, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards the tray in Gao Zhenhai's hands.

He used to think that when he watched others receive their ranks on TV, it was just like putting something on someone's shoulder.

When it was my turn, my heart was beating faster than during the final sprint of the 3,000 meters!

"The conferment ceremony shall now begin!"

As soon as the cadre presiding over the ceremony spoke, the entire playground fell silent.

The national anthem is played.

The order conferring the rank of private was read aloud.

As familiar names rang out on the parade ground, all the new recruits straightened their backs even more.

After the order was read out, each squad leader carried a tray and walked to the new recruits under their command.

Gao Zhenhai stood in front of the first recruit in the second squad, picked up the private's rank insignia, and carefully pinned it on the recruit's shoulder.

"Stand still!"

"From today onwards, you are a private!"

"yes!"

the second.

The third.

Gao Zhenhai usually scolds or punishes people, but today he was unusually solemn when he was pinning military ranks on everyone.

When it was Shen Yan's turn, their eyes met.

General Gao Zhenhai wore his rank insignia neatly, and then smoothed out a few wrinkles on his shoulders.

"From today onwards, you are a full-fledged private."

"The rank may not be high, but it carries responsibility!"

"Keep up the good work, and don't let it down!"

Shen Yan straightened his body.

"yes!"

Gao Zhenhai stared at Shen Yan for a second, nodded in satisfaction, and then walked to the next person.

Wei Shanjia had been waiting impatiently for a long time.

But when Gao Zhenhai stood in front of him, the excitement on his face quickly disappeared, and he tried his best to put on a serious look.

Gao Zhenhai pinned the rank insignia on him and took a step back.

"From now on, stop talking and do more practical things."

Wei Shanjia's face twitched, and he answered loudly:

"yes!"

Finally, it was Ga Wa's turn.

As Gawa watched Gao Zhenhai pick up his private's rank insignia, his eyes practically glued to the insignia's shoulders.

As soon as Gao Zhenhai put on his military rank insignia, he subconsciously wanted to look down at it.

"look up!"

"Why are you fidgeting during the conferment of ranks?"

The little boy quickly raised his head.

"Squad leader, I just wanted to see what my hamstrings looked like!"

"Just like everyone else!"

"Just because you know how to herd sheep doesn't mean it'll have an extra leg to run away with!"

The shoulders of the several new recruits around him were shaking from trying not to laugh.

After Gao Zhenhai finished giving the badges to the whole class, he returned to the front of the line.

Ga Wa then quietly glanced down at his shoulder, and a smile suddenly spread across his face.

"Hey friend, I really do have a limp on my shoulder!"

Wei Shanjia glanced at his rank out of the corner of his eye, but still complained.

"Be serious!"

"Wait until the ceremony is over to see, no one will steal it from you!"

"Then why are you glancing at your own shoulder?"

Wei Shanjia: "..."

Why are this kid's eyes getting sharper and sharper?

After all the military ranks were put on, the new recruit representative walked to the front of the formation and raised his right fist.

All the privates then took the oath.

A chorus of young and determined voices converged and resounded throughout the entire playground.

Shen Yan also raised his right fist and shouted the oath along with everyone else.

The fact that he ranked first in the overall assessment of new recruits only proves that he has completed the training of the new recruit stage.

But the military rank on their shoulders represents their identity and responsibility.

From that moment on, he truly became a soldier!

After the oath was taken, everyone stood at attention again.

Brigade Commander Qin Guofeng walked to the front of the podium.

He was in his fifties and not particularly tall.

But as soon as they stood on the platform and their gaze swept across the parade ground, the new recruits, who were still immersed in the excitement of being awarded ranks, quickly quieted down.

Qin Guofeng's speech was also quite direct; it seems that all the leaders in the military region share this personality!

A lineage passed down through generations!

He didn't say much empty talk, but first affirmed the training results of this batch of new recruits.

They were also reminded that the awarding of ranks was not the end of training, but the real beginning of their military career.

Then, he changed the subject and mentioned the disaster relief operations that had taken place some time ago.

"After the disaster struck, our brigade responded quickly, immediately organizing personnel, supplies, and medical resources to rush to the disaster area!"

"Among them, the XX Regiment performed outstandingly in personnel search and rescue, casualty evacuation, medical treatment, material support, and post-disaster epidemic prevention!"

"Many comrades have been fighting continuously on the front lines, rescuing people from dire straits!"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere on the playground gradually became serious.

Many new recruits who participated in disaster relief recalled the ruins, the wounded, and the busy days and nights they spent in the disaster area.

Qin Guofeng continued:

"Today, in addition to awarding ranks, we will also commend outstanding groups and individuals in the disaster relief operation!"

Wei Shanjia's eyes lit up.

Some people had previously said that there was a high chance of being recognized for meritorious service in this disaster relief operation.

It seems to be true!

Just as everyone was waiting for the commendation order, Zheng Guoliang suddenly walked over from the side of the medical team.

He approached the vicinity of Class Two and whispered:

"Shen Yan, step forward."

Shen Yan was slightly taken aback, but still immediately took a step forward.

"arrive!"

Zheng Guoliang waved to him.

"Come with me."

"Something good is coming your way!"

Shen Yan looked at Chen Gang.

Chen Gang clearly knew about this beforehand. Although his gaze towards Zheng Guoliang was still unfriendly, he still nodded.

Shen Yan then followed Zheng Guoliang away from Class Two.

Wei Shanjia stared at the two figures as they walked away, his brows furrowing immediately.

"Is Old Zheng planning one last time to lure Shen Yan to the medical unit before the assignment results are announced?"

Ga Wa glanced at Zheng Guoliang, then at the podium where the commendation order was about to be read.

"I don't get the feeling they're here to steal someone."

"It's more like taking Shen Yan to get some good stuff!"

Before Wei Shanjia could continue guessing, the officials on the podium had already opened the commendation order.

"During this earthquake relief operation, all officers and soldiers of the recruit company obeyed orders, organized themselves in an orderly manner, and actively participated in the handling of supplies, the transfer of the wounded, and post-disaster resettlement, demonstrating outstanding performance!"

"With the approval of higher authorities, the recruit company is hereby awarded a collective third-class merit!"

Collective Third-Class Merit!

After the order was read out, an overwhelming surge of excitement erupted throughout the entire recruit company!

Wei Shanjia's eyes lit up!

You've done a great job!

Wei Shanjia has finally achieved something!

He used to watch Shen Yan make one merit after another, and although he always joked about it, how could he not be envious?

Now it's all good!

Although it was a collective third-class merit, it was still a merit!

I've done my part!

Chen Gang, a representative of the recruit company's officers, went on stage to receive the medal and certificate.

Immediately afterwards, the new recruits participating in the disaster relief efforts lined up in front of the parade ground for a group photo, as arranged.

Wei Shanjia stood in the line, his chest ramrod straight, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

Just as the photographer was about to take a picture, he suddenly realized that someone was missing from his side.

Shen Yan is not here!

Wei Shanjia glanced subconsciously in the direction of the medical unit.

"What a pity."

"Shen Yan did more work in the disaster area than any of us, but he was dragged away by Lao Zheng when it was time to take the group third-class merit photo."

"If he were here, he could also share in our collective third-class merit award!"

Ga Wa had sensed something was wrong earlier, and he was still keeping an eye on the medical team.

"Hey friend, don't feel sorry for them yet."

"I feel that the place Shen Yan went to might have contributed even more than ours!"

"How much bigger can it get?"

Wei Shanjia didn't take it seriously, saying, "A collective third-class merit is already quite good; we can't just..."

Before he could finish speaking, the next order was read out from the podium.

"During this earthquake relief operation, the officers and soldiers of the medical company continuously undertook tasks such as rescuing the wounded, transporting medical personnel, and providing epidemic prevention and health services in the disaster area."

He has successfully treated critically injured patients on numerous occasions, making outstanding contributions to reducing casualties in disaster areas!

"With the approval of higher authorities, the medical company is hereby awarded a collective second-class merit!"

Wei Shanjia's remaining words were stuck in his throat.

Collective Second-Class Merit?

He quickly turned to look at the medical corps.

The next second, they saw Shen Yan, who had just been pulled away by Zheng Guoliang.

He was standing in the award-receiving team of the medical company, wearing his new military uniform!

Although Shen Yan was not a member of the medical unit.

However, during the disaster relief efforts, they were consistently assigned to the medical rescue team, undertaking numerous tasks related to the rescue and medical treatment of critically injured patients.

Therefore, his name was also on the list of recipients of the second-class collective merit award for the medical company!

Upon seeing this, the regret on Wei Shanjia's face vanished instantly.

Ok!

He had just felt sorry for Shen Yan, thinking that the guy had missed out on a collective third-class merit.

As a result, Shen Yan turned around and sneaked into the group photo of the medical company's second-class merit award!

His contribution was a whole level higher than mine!

At this moment, Zheng Guoliang stood in the front row and deliberately pulled Shen Yan to his side.

The photographer raised his camera.

The entire medical team stood tall, their faces beaming with undisguised pride.

Click!

The image freezes.

Wei Shanjia looked at Shen Yan, who was standing in the center of the group that received the second-class collective merit award, from afar, and his eyes were filled with envy!

He turned to look at Gawa.

"Little one, do you think it's too late for me to switch to studying medicine?"

Ga Wa scrutinized him for a few seconds.

"Friend, it's probably a bit late for you to study general medicine."

"But you could study anesthesia!"

Wei Shanjia's eyes lit up.

"Does anesthesiologist count as a doctor?"

"Yes, it counts!"

Ga Wa nodded vigorously, "Besides, you can save the hospital on anesthesia. With your strength, you could just punch a patient in the operating room and knock them out!"

Wei Shanjia: "..."

……

After the commendation ceremony concluded, Qin Guofeng offered a few words of encouragement before announcing the end of the awarding and commendation ceremony.

Each unit began to bring them back in order.

Chen Gang has already received the roster of new recruits assigned to their units.

They returned to the recruit training camp first, ready to announce everyone's specific destination.

Shen Yan was also preparing to return to the team, but Zheng Guoliang stopped him as he was leaving.

"Xiao Shen, wait a minute!"

Shen Yan stopped and looked at him with some confusion.

"Company Commander Zheng, is there anything else?"

"Of course something's happened, but it's great news!"

Zheng Guoliang took out a red box and a certificate from the document bag he was carrying.

"The collective second-class merit award belongs to the medical company."

"This is just for you!"

Shen Yan took the box, opened it, and his eyes immediately narrowed.

Inside the box was yet another individual third-class merit medal!

Zheng Guoliang handed him the certificate.

"Your merit in successfully reattaching a wounded soldier's severed arm during the emergency at the hospital has been officially approved!"

After the relevant materials were verified by the hospital, the military, and higher authorities, you were ultimately awarded a third-class merit.

Looking at the medal in Shen Yan's hand, Zheng Guoliang couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"Others would be happy for half a day if they received an award during their basic training."

"You're something else."

"He's been awarded individual third-class merits one after another, and he can even get second-class collective merits on his plate!"

"You just received your private's rank today, but your achievements are already almost more than those of veterans from the second and third terms!"

Holding the medal, Shen Yan was also somewhat excited.

This medal is more than just an honor.

This also means that the medical skills he accumulated in his previous life truly came into play in the military!

This proves that my decision to enlist in the army was the right one!

For him, medicine and military training were never mutually exclusive choices!

Just as Shen Yan was about to put away the medal, Zheng Guoliang took out a letter from the document bag.

"And this too."

"A recommendation letter personally given to you by Professor Zhou from the military hospital!"

Shen Yan took the letter and read it carefully.

Professor Zhou highly valued his judgment in limb replantation surgery.

We hope that Shen Yan can go to the military hospital and join him in research on limb replantation and complex limb trauma repair.

If Shen Yan is willing, he can take this letter of recommendation to the brigade commander to apply!

The military hospital and Professor Zhou will help coordinate subsequent learning and training channels, which is almost a one-stop shop for postgraduate and doctoral studies!

You should know that this is an opportunity that many medical students would kill for!

Upon entering the military hospital, I directly joined Professor Zhou in the research.

Not only will they receive more systematic medical training, but they will also have a very smooth path to becoming military doctors in the future!

Zheng Guoliang looked at Shen Yan.

"How is it?"

"If you agree, I can go with you to find the brigade commander!"

Shen Yan looked at the letter of recommendation in his hand and was indeed somewhat moved.

Having earned a doctorate in his previous life, he knew very well just how bright the future of this path was!

If it were my past self, I probably would have already given up everything and rushed into Zhou Jingshan's arms!

Unfortunately, he has new pursuits in this life!

Shen Yan didn't hesitate for long before smiling and handing the letter back.

"Thank you, Professor Zhou, and I am also very grateful to Company Commander Zheng for his guidance!"

"However, I don't want to go to the military hospital just yet!"

Zheng Guoliang seemed to have anticipated this, and did not immediately try to persuade Shen Yan.

"I still think being a soldier suits me better."

"If the military needs me to save lives in the future, or if Professor Zhou has suitable cases or research that I need to participate in, I will do my best to help!"

"But now, I'd rather train in the elite unit and continue down the path I've chosen!"

After listening, Zheng Guoliang couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

"I knew you'd make that choice."

If Shen Yan only wanted to be a doctor and live a stable life, he would never have given up studying at Fudan University School of Medicine and volunteered to come to the Xinjiang Military Region.

Zheng Guoliang reached out and patted Shen Yan on the shoulder.

"Okay, I'll hold onto the recommendation letter for you."

"If your thinking changes someday, or if you need learning opportunities at the military hospital, come find me again!"

"But you can't neglect medicine during your training!"

"If you waste this talent, I'll be the first to object!"

Shen Yan nodded with a smile.

"Don't worry, Zheng Lian!"

"I still prefer studying medicine!"

Zheng Guoliang then waved his hand.

"Alright, let's go back now!"

"The assignments for the next unit will be announced soon."

"If we don't go back soon, Chen Gang will think I've secretly run you away again!"