Page 29 - 100 Hours to Destiny

The Gunny saluted the 1Sgt, the 1Sgt cut his salute first, the Gunny
amazingly did a perfect about-face in the deep sand. He then belted out,
“Delta Company form it up, Headquarters Platoon on my left, 1st Platoon
center, 2nd Platoon on my right. Move!” Delta Marines began to scramble
about, bumping into each other, full battle gear was clumsy in the tight
grouping. Quickly the Marines began to find their place in the Company
formation according to Gunny’s direction. “Company attention! Report.”
Platoon Sergeants then began to make the report.
SSgt Stephen Metcalf then sounded off, “Headquarters Platoon all
present and accounted for.” The Gunny saluted the SSgt.
As the Gunny’s hand came by his side, Staff Sergeant Jonathan Eby
sounded off next, “1st Platoon all present and accounted for.” The Company
Gunny saluted the SSgt.
As Gunny’s hand came down, his gaze turned toward Sgt Steven
Yancey, “2nd Platoon all present and accounted for.”
The Company Gunny about-faced and turned to Captain Roger
“Rock” Pollard to give the report, “Delta Company all present and accounted
for. 15 Marines standing watch at the Company Coil all other Delta Marines
present and/or accounted for.” Captain Pollard saluted the Gunny, the
Gunny held his salute, as Captain Pollard cut his salute first, the Gunny then
cut his.
Immediately came the next command from Captain Pollard, “Post!”
With a snappy right-face, Delta Company GySgt Steven Dell took his place to
the left of the Company 1Sgt Alfonso Villa. Each Platoon Sergeant cut a sharp
left-face and marched himself to the rear of his Platoon. Simultaneously
Platoon Commanders had popped a right-face to emerge from behind each
Platoon to find their spot front and center of their respective Platoons. The
lineup would be 1stLt Scott Williams, the XO, representing Headquarters
Platoon, 1stLt G. Sadowski representing 1st Platoon, 1stLt D. Kindle
representing 2nd Platoon. Captain Roger “Rock” Pollard saluted his Platoon
Commanders, and gave the order, “Platoon Commanders dismiss your
Platoons.” Each Commander turned and ordered his Platoon to be dismissed.
Delta Company Marines had been at the position of attention for a
solid 10 minutes, as the ceremony of dismissal from the formation of the
Company took place. I watched as the Marines enjoyed that moment of
falling out of formation, shrugging their shoulders, moving their feet up and
down to get the blood flowing, squatting down, etc.…. then turning to their
buddies, talking about things that we had just witnessed and heard.
Company Gunny shouted, “Everyone get back to the vehicles and report to
your vehicle Commanders. Stow your gear and standby for further word.”
“Aye-Aye Gunny,” responded many of the Marines. And Delta began a slow