Guardians of Honor: Cows and Firsties

By J. E. Bandy Jr.

J.E. Bandy, Jr. has written an engrossing, exciting sequel to Cadet Casey Sullivans second year at West Point. I highly recommend this book.

John Raymond,

USMA 1964, Attorney at Law.

In a desperate race against time, the US Military Academy, Federal authorities, and the Israeli Mossad again enlist the assistance of Cadet Casey Sullivan in their covert war against right wing extremists seeking to use West Point as a springboard for the commission of unspeakable acts of terror against the American public. Casey, after two years of undercover work and hoping for a measure of normality, returns to complete her final two-years at West Point only to find that the radical Operation Patriot is bigger and far more deadly than anyone had imagined. Casey reluctantly agrees to continue assisting the authorities, but soon discovers she is in more danger now than she has ever been. As her confidence and skills as an undercover operative increase, the ethical and spiritual challenges facing her also increase, and Casey discovers that she has a new and illusive enemy; an enemy bent on her personal destruction. Guardians of Honor: Cows and Firsties is part three in an electrifying trilogy.

The Guardians of Honor series is a pioneering work of Christian fiction that examines the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by believers in the Intelligence community as witnessed through the eyes of female officers and cadets serving at the US Military Academy at West Point and beyond.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512734201

J. E. Bandy Jr.

J. E. Bandy, Jr. is an Intelligence Analyst with the United States Government and a former Naval Intelligence Officer. He is also an evangelical Catholic who hopes to inform, entertain, and inspire through his novels. He resides with his family in scenic Fredericksburg, VA. His favorite author is spy novelist John le Carre.

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GUARDIANS

OF

HONOR

Cows and Firsties

J. E. Bandy, Jr.

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Copyright

© 2016 J. E. Bandy, Jr..

The views expressed in this novel are not necessarily those of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Army, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or the United States Government. The characters are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual people (living or dead) is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3421-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3422-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3420-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016904078

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/18/2016

Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Chapter 1 Airborne

Chapter 2 Jsoc

Chapter 3 The Young Lions

Chapter 4 High Country

Chapter 5 Ties That Bind

Chapter 6 The Praetorians

Chapter 7 Football And War

Chapter 8 Christmas Bells

Chapter 9 Boiling Point

Chapter 10 Spymasters

Chapter 11 Holy Land, Holy Wars

Chapter 12 Lillian

Chapter 13 Checkpoint Gimel

Chapter 14 The Red Sash

Chapter 15 Taking Charge

Chapter 16 The Ring

Chapter 17 Epiphany

Chapter 18 Limerick

Chapter 19 Secrets

Chapter 20 On Brave Old Army Team

Chapter 21 Light Of The World

Chapter 22 Test Of The Heart

Chapter 23 Graduation March

Epilogue

Series Glossary Of Terms

DEDICATION

T HIS BOOK IS dedicated to graduates of the United States Military Academy, as well as to my family, friends, and colleagues whose encouragement and support sustain me, and to Almighty God whose ever present Spirit guides and enlighten s me.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A LTHOUGH MANY HAVE helped me in the development of this series, I would like to give special acknowledgment to the individuals whose invaluable assistance made this modest work of fiction poss ible.

I am particularly indebted to Jerome Blair, II (USMA, 1934, deceased), John Raymond (USMA, 1964), James Mullen (USMA, 1969), Roger Cawthon (USMA, 1975), Rafael Garcia, Jr. (USMA, 1982), Ilean Keltz (USMA, 1988), and Andrea Hamburger (longtime member of the USMA Public Affairs Office) who provided a wealth of information and insight into cadet life as well as unique generational perspectives regarding females at West Point.

I would also like to express my appreciation to Steven Sylvester (USNA, 1987), A. Andrew Savery (USNA, 1996), E. Jerry Wilson (USAFA, 1996), and K.C. Kasselder (USAFA, 2000) for sharing their experience and viewpoints regarding the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy.

Additionally, I owe a special debt of gratitude to all of my family members, in particular my mother Sylvia Pressley, my aunt Dianne Brown, my sister Charlotte St. Juste, and my brothers Rodney Pressley and Bryan Bandy for sharing their ideas, their life experience, and their love. I would also like to thank Dr. Patrick Shiflett for opening my eyes to the fearful and fascinating world of bio-weapons; as well as my loyal friends and colleagues Dennis Amaral, Rolland Avedician, Dolvenia Bailey, Chrystal Bucchioni, Jesse Buzzard, Richard Cox, Daniel Erech, Jesse Field, Kirsten Graves, Gregory Hamilton, Casey Howard Longerbeam, Kenneth Schwarz, Jeffrey Seewald, Regina Thompson, and Patricia Wismer for their steadfast support, and for encouraging me to reach for my dreams.

Finally, the Guardians of Honor series is a work of fiction whose primary aim is entertainment. Some literary license has been taken with respect to intelligence sources and methods, military protocol, and official criminal investigative procedures.

PROLOGUE

A GUNSHOT ECHOED IN the darkness. A female operative in a black raincoat and gray, heavy-knit, woolen cap ducked between moss-covered rocks along the coast of the Irish Sea. The dense fog and crash of the surf on the moonless night made identification of anything beyond a few feet away virtually impossible. Somewhere in the black mist, a red filtered pin-light flashed a coded message to a rubber Zodiac approaching the rocky shoreline. The woman heard hushed voices, male … barely distinguishable over the surf … approaching her position. She anxiously crouched behind two large rocks, pulling a pistol from the pocket of her rain coat.

I knew it, she thought. Poor Anatoli; betrayed by his own people.

On a sharp rise fifty yards behind the beach, a local pub owner had begun the process of closing-up for the night. The last round had been served, the diehard Guinness drinkers were finishing their pints, and most had begun staggering out into the chilly air toward their homes. However, one unfortunate soul wearing a plaid touring cap decided to answer nature’s call on the rocky beach, and had started his descent down the craggy hillock.

Although ‘plaid cap’ wasn’t immediately visible to those below, the hushed voices the young woman had previously heard went silent, and she could almost feel knives being drawn from hidden sheaths. The woman silently brushed blonde hair from her ice-blue eyes as she hurriedly sought a solution. The Zodiac was almost at the shoreline, and the unsuspecting civilian continued toward the rendezvous point like an arrow.

Given the dark, misty, conditions, the woman thought, it’s possible that plaid cap will just do his business and not see a thing. On the other hand, my opponents aren’t the sort to leave outcomes to chance. If I warn him, it’ll cost me the mission and my anonymity - not to mention my life as a spy handler. If I don’t warn him, it’ll cost an innocent man his life. … Lord, give me wisdom.

The Clandestine Service was full of moral dilemmas like this one, the woman reflected solemnly. It had been years since she had transitioned from informant to operative, or as some would say from rat to cat. But as she watched the unwary civilian stagger toward the kill zone, in a flash of memory, the young woman recalled the first time she had been trained to face death.

CHAPTER 1

Airborne

C ASEY SULLIVAN ARRIVED at the Columbus Metropolitan Airport on a bright Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. She and fellow West Point cadet Monica Santos had coordinated their flight schedules so that they would land in Georgia at approximately the same time. The two planned to split the carfare to Fort Benning, and then check-in to Airborne School together. As Casey scanned the busy terminal for Santos, on her way to the baggage-claim area, she breathed an inward sigh of re lief.

It’s good to see family and friends again, Casey thought. But, life back in Austin is becoming too confining, not to mention too weird.

Casey was far from comfortable with the Greek sorority world her friends Jennifer and Tracey were now a part of, and she was deeply troubled by the White Power world her wealthy acquaintance Skeeter Stebbins was a part of, a world that Casey (as a cadet undercover operative working on behalf of the US Military Academy and the US Army’s Criminal Investigation Division) had been asked to help investigate.

Being a Christian and an operative definitely has its challenges, Casey thought. It feels good to be just a plain ole soldier again.

Hey, Blondie, over here, Santos smiled from a souvenir stand a few feet away.

I wanna’ be an Airborne Ranger, Casey replied, tongue in cheek.

Whatever you say, princess, Santos chuckled. Baggage-claim is this way.

I knew that, Casey said.

Is that why you were headed in the wrong direction?

I was taking the scenic route.

Whatever, Santos smiled.

After picking up their luggage, the girls took an airport shuttle to the post. A short while later, Casey noticed a large sign that read ‘Welcome to Fort Benning - Home of the Infantry.’ She next observed a huge statue of a combat infantryman with the words ‘Follow Me’ emblazoned beneath it.

I’m home, Blondie, Santos sighed. I’m totally soaking this up.

There’s something wrong with you, Casey teased, as the Jamaican van driver chuckled in agreement.

Fort Benning was a lot nicer than Casey had envisioned. There were modern brick buildings, rows of attractive homes with neatly manicured lawns, shady trees, fragrant flowers, a museum, and a well kept golf course. When Casey read that Benning was the home of the US Army Infantry School, Airborne School, and School of the Americas, she pictured a Spartan, no frills, no nonsense kind of place. But, as she and Santos arrived at Building 2748 Eubanks Field to begin the noon check-in procedure, Casey had to admit that Fort Benning (at least this part of it) seemed pretty pleasant.

After a standard check-in, the girls reported to Olson Hall to receive their room assignments. As they’d hoped, they were billeted together. Olson Hall housed active-duty officers, some senior enlisted personnel, as well as service academy and ROTC cadets undergoing training. Males and females were assigned to different floors, but were part of the same training companies and platoons. In no time at all, Santos had met half of the women on their floor, and a group of them decided to go bowling together that evening. Casey wanted to stay in and crash, but in the interest of sisterhood, agreed to tag along. At 7:00 p.m., the female Airborne-trainees from Olson left for the post bowling center.

The Galactic Rock ‘n Bowl was one of the most unusual places that Casey had ever seen. The entire bowling alley was lit with black lights, and the lanes, balls, and walls were covered with fluorescent paint to create a cosmic-looking atmosphere. Most of the women in Casey’s group from Olsen were ROTC cadets from programs all over the country with a few Virginia Military Institute and Citadel cadets added for good measure. Casey enjoyed the food and the conversation more than the actual bowling, but was really glad she’d come.

At zero-dark-thirty tomorrow morning, Casey nervously reflected, my training as a paratrooper officially begins. Lord, help me.

The US Army’s Basic Airborne Course was an arduous, three-week, baptism of fire. It consisted of a ground-training week, a tower-training week, and a jump-training week. The instructors and senior parachutists were Jumpmasters from every branch of the military. They were the elite, and were at the heart of America’s Airborne-capability. From the very beginning, Casey both feared and respected them. Santos wanted to be one of them. The Army Jumpmasters were known as the Black-Hats.

Casey’s platoon NCO was active duty Sergeant First Class Joseph McNamara from Knoxville, Tennessee. McNamara was 5’10, an athletic 180 pounds, artfully tattooed, and had a scar over his upper lip. He reminded Casey of the kind of man that her mother had always warned her to stay away from. Santos, on the other hand, was completely infatuated; even though she knew fraternizing was strictly verboten.¹ Casey was both amused and concerned by the situation.

Being a female in a male-dominated career field can be a minefield.

As their platoon stood on a large athletic field in company formation dressed in brown t-shirts, camouflaged trousers, and running-shoes in the muggy, pre-dawn Georgia darkness, McNamara addressed his charges.

However brief your stay at this command may be, the cocky platoon sergeant began, there are a few things that you WILL remember. First, whenever addressing a member of the cadre, you will refer to them as Sergeant-Airborne. Is that clear?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne! the platoon shouted.

Second, ‘hooah’ is dead. You’re here to become paratroopers. So, whenever you sound-off you’d best be screaming ‘Airborne.’ Is that clear?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

Third, for the duration of your stay in this program, you will run everywhere you go. If I, or any of the Black-Hats see any of you people skylarking, everybody in this platoon will pay, and pay dearly. If a cadre member says you owe him push-ups, you’d best pay that sucker, or none of you will be leaving this place any time soon. Do you understand?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

As soon as the Company Commander and the medics arrive in the meat wagon, we’ll commence with the Army Physical Fitness Test. This test will include push-ups, sit-ups, a flexed-arm hang, and a two-mile run. Anyone failing to satisfactorily complete the APFT will be disqualified from Airborne School and will be immediately returned to their unit of origin. … This is the real deal people. Quitters need not apply. Is everybody clear on that?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

Very well, McNamara scowled. Stand-by.

A few minutes later, the Company Commander (Captain Arthur Riddick) arrived in a green military ambulance with two medics. As dawn broke, the lanky captain addressed his troops.

Sicily… Salerno… Normandy… Holland… Bastogne… The list of battles involving the American Airborne, and instances of valor, go on and on. If you people are successful here, and earn those coveted silver jump-wings, you won’t just become a part of the Airborne - you’ll become a part of history. This test won’t be easy, nothing in life worth having ever is. But, if you stick it out, and show us what you’re made of, the sky’s the limit in terms of what you can achieve. This is where it begins.

The trainees were then ordered to pair off, and the physical-fitness test began.

The dew-covered grass was cold and wet, and the last thing on earth Casey wanted to do that morning was to get down and do push-ups and sit-ups in it. But, when her turn came and the whistle sounded ‘start,’ adrenaline took over and momentum propelled her through the test.

Casey and Santos teamed up and encouraged each other throughout the process. When it was over, each of them had performed more than 50 push-ups, 60 sit-ups, turned in excellent performances on the flexed-arm hang, and completed the two mile run in less than fourteen minutes. Their scores rivaled, and in some cases surpassed, those of their male counterparts.

They can’t say females don’t belong here now, huh, Blondie? Santos snickered in triumph.

After showers and a hasty breakfast, 1st Platoon Bravo Company formed for its first morning inspection. The uniform was Battle Dress with jump boots and Kevlar helmets. As McNamara and the respective Squad Leaders inspected each trainee, Casey mentally prepared herself for what she was sure would be the toughest military school of her life. At 8:00 a.m., the formal training program began.

As they stood stone-faced before the Mock-Door Trainer, Black-Hat Instructor Derrick Sanborne of Sioux City, Iowa addressed Bravo Company.

According to the book, he began, ‘the purpose of the Basic Airborne Course is to qualify the volunteer in the use of the parachute as a means of combat deployment, and to develop leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.’ Translation: jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is NOT a natural act. We’re here to train the fear out of you. Do you understand?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

The apparatus you see behind me is called the Mock-Door. Its purpose is to give you the opportunity to learn the jump commands and proper method of exiting an aircraft while in a relatively safe environment. But, just because your feet will be on the ground during this evolution, does not mean that the training isn’t important. In fact, you’ll find it critical. Do you understand?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

Now, before we get into jump procedures, it’s important that you all have a clear understanding of how to properly wear the parachute harness. For that, I’ll turn you over to Sergeant Walter Herman from the Rigger Company. Sergeant …

For the next thirty minutes, Herman led Bravo Company through the process of putting on and taking off their previously issued parachute harnesses. When he was satisfied that they all understood what they were doing, Herman told the trainees to ‘take a knee,’ and turned them back over to Sanborne.

Jump commands are instructions that you will receive prior to exiting the aircraft while in flight, Sanborne said. When these commands are given by the Jumpmaster, each will be repeated by you the jumpers to ensure clarity and compliance. Do you understand?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

The commands are as follows: ‘Get ready,’ ‘Personnel Stand-up,’ ‘Hook-up,’ ‘Check Static-line,’ ‘Check Equipment,’ ‘Complete Equipment-check,’ ‘All Personnel Ok,’ ‘Move Forward,’ and ‘Go.’ Before you leave this program, these commands WILL be permanently etched onto your gray-matter. Is that understood?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

Very well, Bravo Company. On your feet.

For the next hour and a half, each ‘stick’ (or row of parachutists) from Bravo Company practiced aircraft exit procedures. It was an exacting process.

At 10:00 a.m., the company double-timed to the next training apparatus, located a mile and a half away. It was a structure called the Parachute Landing-Fall Platform. When Bravo Company had lined up in front of the platform, it was addressed by Black-Hat Instructor Hilton Lawrence, of Columbia, South Carolina.

Good morning, Bravo Company! Lawrence shouted.

Good morning, Sergeant-Airborne! the company thundered back.

This block of instruction will cover proper parachute landing techniques. It is vital that you master these techniques in order to avoid serious injury or even death. After our initial training session, each trainee will ascend the platform, and upon command, leap from the apparatus and demonstrate the fall methods indicated. If at any point you do not understand the instructions given, say so. We don’t want any needless casualties. Am I clear?

Yes, Sergeant-Airborne!

Then let’s get started. Airborne SOP specifies Five Points of Performance, Lawrence continued. The first point is ‘execute a proper exit, check body position, and count.’ The second point is ‘check canopy and immediately gain canopy control.’ The third point is ‘keep a sharp lookout for all jumpers during your entire descent.’ The fourth point is ‘slip or turn into the wind and prepare to land.’ And the fifth point of performance is ‘land.’ We will be focusing on the fifth point of performance. As you will learn, once you have exited the aircraft and identified your drop zone, you will prepare to land by keeping your feet and knees together, with your elbows tight into your sides, your chin on your chest, and your eyes wide open. When you hit the ground, you will collapse, allowing your body to absorb the impact. You will accomplish this by hitting the five-points of contact. These points are: the balls of the feet, the calf, the thigh, the buttocks, and the push-up muscle. Never attempt to make a stand-up landing. This apparatus is to train you to execute proper landing-falls.

As Casey listened, she was intrigued by the entire concept, and was looking forward to the exercise. When her fellow trainees began taking turns leaping from the platform, she was reminded of those kids who liked to jump from barn lofts into hay carts.

Boys with toys, Casey smiled to herself.

After lunch, Bravo Company spent the remainder of the day attending lectures and getting acquainted with the Lateral-drift Apparatus, which was designed to assist students in developing the proper technique for controlling a parachute during descent. There was a lot to remember.

Throughout the day, various Jumpmasters poked fun at the Airborne-trainees’ collective ignorance in the ways of the Army. They made continuous wisecracks such as, ‘you can’t be high-speed or you wouldn’t be at Airborne School,’ or ‘who do you think you are making all that sense up there?’ But, it didn’t take Casey long to realize that modern Airborne operations were a complicated and dangerous business, and that the Jumpmasters and Airborne trainees were in fact bright and courageous people. She felt proud to be one of them.

That evening, Casey and Santos reflected on the day’s activities.

I may never leave Benning, Santos smiled as she returned from her shower. Silver wings, brave, gorgeous guys – I’m in heaven.

You are definitely a couple cans short of a six-pack, Casey chuckled while lying on her bunk flipping through a magazine.

Oh, come on, Blondie. Even you’ve got to admit this is pretty cool stuff.

It’s alright, Casey smiled.

Alright …? I can’t wait to start jumping from the towers.

You’ll get your chance, Casey said. But, I’d advise you to steer clear of McNamara. I saw the look you gave him at lunch.

Don’t go there, Blondie.

I’m just saying …

I have a boyfriend.

I’m just saying …

I know the rules … Anyway, I love Benning!

As she listened to Santos sing the praises of Airborne School, Casey considered the very real, very personal challenge she faced. As quiet as she kept it, Casey was no big fan of heights. As long as she was enclosed in something like a car, a plane, or an elevator, she was fine. But for some reason, open height was different. Somehow, the notion of hurtling toward the ground at a great speed from a great height, and hoping not to kill herself in the process scared Casey to death. She considered telling Santos then reconsidered.

Nothing frightens that girl, Casey thought. But, this is different. I can’t let these macho men see me show fear. I’ve managed to conquer soaring, rappelling, and the Slide for Life. I can do this. I have to do this, for the sisterhood and for myself.

Casey prayed that she wouldn’t panic under pressure.

Two days later, the trainees of Bravo Company were introduced to the 34-foot tower, which was designed to expose them to all the sensations of an actual jump. When Casey’s turn came to climb and leap from the three-story tower and float to earth via suspension cables, her heart was in her throat. Santos had jumped like she’d been born with a parachute on her back. But, Casey was petrified. She steadied herself and tried not to look down. To her surprise however, the tower instructors were both professional and reassuring, and in no time at all, Casey had leapt from the tower and was sliding towards terra firma. No one had a clue how truly frightened she had been.

Thank you, Lord, she whispered with relief.

On Sunday morning, Casey and Santos attended Mass together on post. No matter how often she visited other parishes, Casey was always pleasantly surprised at how similar the Catholic Mass was from one location to the next; not only in its rituals, but in its songs and liturgical topics as well.

It really is a unified and universal church, Casey thought.

Somehow, that realization gave Casey a tremendous sense of inner peace and stability.

On their way back to the barracks, Casey and Santos noticed Sergeant McNamara on the opposite side of the street leaning against the side of a cute little roadster convertible talking to a dark haired woman sitting in the driver’s seat. He was wearing jeans and a muscle shirt, and the woman was in a pullover blouse so tight Casey thought she’d pop out of it at any second. The two appeared quite affectionate. Santos tried her best to appear nonchalant, but Casey could sense her disappointment.

I guess some guys would find that type appealing, Casey thought. But for Monica’s sake, it’s probably for the best.

After a moment of awkward silence, Casey glanced at Santos, and said a silent prayer for her friend.

On Monday, the trainees of Bravo Company advanced to Tower-training Week. A third of their class had already dropped out for various reasons, but Casey and Santos were determined to see the course through to the end. As they had the previous week, Bravo Company began each day with a rigorous program of running and calisthenics. They started the week with a blazing 5-mile run. On Tuesday, Casey and her classmates were introduced to log-drills, which were an arduous form of group calisthenics using huge tree trunks as if they were barbells. On Thursday, they conducted circuit-training. And always, there were inspections.

Tower-training Week gave Bravo Company an opportunity to refine and reinforce the skills learned during the previous week. In addition to the 34-foot tower and the Mock-Door (now used for training in mass exits) several new apparatuses were added to the curriculum. These included the Swing-landing Trainer, designed to teach students how to handle oscillation and landing falls; the Suspended Harness; and the 250-foot tower, which Casey initially dreaded, but found to be more like a giant carnival ride. (When a group of four trainees’ turn came, the Black-Hat instructors attached parachutes to their individual harnesses. The trainees were then hoisted into the air 250 feet where they were released from four large arms extending from each side of the central tower to float back to Earth.) Trainees were also taught parachute drag-landing and recovery techniques. All of this activity was meticulously crafted to assist the Airborne-trainees in making the transition from ground-based instruction to actual parachuting.

By the start of Jump-Week, Casey was sore but psyched. She had learned to disconnect herself from her fear of heights, at least temporarily, and had survived some of the toughest physical training in the Army. But, the final challenge still lay ahead; jumping from an actual aircraft in flight.

During the final phase of Airborne-instruction, the trainees were required to make five qualifying jumps from military aircraft. These aircraft included US Air Force C-130 and C-17 transport planes. The first three jumps would make use of conventional parachutes. However, for the final two jumps, trainees had to demonstrate proficiency in the use of high-speed, steerable parachutes. Upon successful completion of their fifth parachute jump, the trainees would receive the vaunted silver wings of the Airborne-paratrooper. Casey reflected upon these things as Bravo Company waited to conduct its final drills in preparation for its first qualifying jump later that morning. And, though she did her best not to show it, Casey was a bundle of nerves.

At 7:30 a.m., on a beautiful, nearly windless Monday, the trainees of Bravo Company began their final pre-jump drills. These preparatory rehearsals included a review of actions to be taken in the aircraft, ‘jumping’ from mock C-130 doors, practicing parachute landing-falls, and watching videos and live demonstrations. The company was then led into a converted airplane hangar called McCarthy Hall. Because of its size and construction, McCarthy was essentially a large echo-chamber, and contained all sorts of Airborne-memorabilia. As Casey sat next to Santos on one of the numerous church pews serving as seats in McCarthy, she noticed a wide variety of unit patches, photos, and maps documenting the entire history of the American paratrooper. She also noticed an old picture of the first two women to complete Airborne-training in 1973.

Their Army experience couldn’t have been easy, Casey thought.

Higher up on the walls of the hanger, she observed the flags and jump-wings of Airborne-forces from around the world.

Bravo Company was then ordered into the Harness Shed next door. Once there, they strapped on their parachutes, conducted a few more drills, and waited for what seemed like an eternity.

Hurry-up and wait, Santos mumbled to Casey.

The trainees were next instructed to take seats on several high benches that lined the walls and the center of the shed. The benches were so tall, Casey noted, that once seated no one’s feet touched the concrete floor.