Location: Tank Academy in the Valley
POV: Gunther's
''Herr Gunther the new tank recruits have arrived!'' a Unteroffizier reported to Gunther, ''Understood, I will arrive shortly,'' He replied while putting on his Tank Uniform, 3 Golden ribbons decorate his Uniform showing his elite status, 'Let's see who these arrogant fucks are.' Gunther put on his captain hat. An eyepatch covers his lost left eye in the Tank accident.
4 other crew members with the same 3 ribbons walk behind him, an air of a veteran shrouds the 5 Tankers, ''Sir I have seen some of them, all elites from the respective recruitment sites, unmatched by common Tank crew. Ha! I think they will learn the word Hell now.'' The Radioman said. Gunther and the other 4 crewmen are the elite in the modified Tiger I, using a mix of the Panther and Tiger technology, the Tiger Ausf. G they are driving also uses composite armour, better engine, stronger gun, causing that variant to be 1.35 times larger than usual, that tank is only given to the commanders of the Regiments of the Panzer Divisions as the costs are immense to produce them.
''Sir the Tests have been set, they will be put into teams of 4, a new crew team as the new tank models only request 4 crew members. Sir, what type of test will it be on the 1st day?'' The Gunner asked Gunther. ''We will do skills exercises first to make them feel like gods, before pulling them down to hell! Hahahaha!'' Gunther laughed Evilly. ''Understood!'' The 4 replied.
The 5 men walked up the Podium a mic was present, the recruits were between their 18-35s all with a tiny hint of arrogance in them, they have been praised by their superiors and have been on a pedestal for quite some time now. ''Gents you are here for 2 reasons, the 1st is you want to prove you are the best and second to stand for something! Now just because you are here doesn't mean you are the best, It is quite easy! you will be Placed in a Tank we provide, you have to drive over an obstacle course and then at the end shoot the Tank from a distance of 1000 meters, the more hits penetrate the tank the Higher the skill also there is a time limit of 5 Minute to get into position and fire as many shots as possible. Your shells will be coated with special paint, internally, meaning your shells can be marked and we can use the same tank for a few tests.
Please go into groups of 4, this team will be your future team, so choose wisely.'' The Men started to move into groups but some came in 8 or 7 and some in 2 and 3, meaning groups had to split or an awkward member has to join, ''IF YOU ARE NOT FINISHED IN 30 SECONDS YOU WILL START PHYSICAL TRAINING FIRST!'' The Loader of Gunther's crew shouted angrily. The loader has massive arms and a very grumpy face, but he has the fastest reload rate in the organisation causing the recruits to obediently listen.
In less than 15 seconds were the groups formed, ''Good NOW MOVE IT!'' the loader ordered while pointing at the door, The recruits moved obediently out towards the testing grounds waiting to show off their skills as pride started to stream out of their eyes now that the loader was out of sight.
Outside were 3 Panther parked, fully loaded and ready. Only 3 teams could go at the time means that they will have to do it 84 times until all teams are done, means about 8 hours are needed for the training is finished, hence they started at 10 O'clock in the morning. 3 rows neatly formed, ''On my mark you are to board the tank as quickly as possible familiarise yourself with the inside and drive to the target through the obstacle course! You will be graded E to S, E will be Basic tank units, D platoon leader, C Battalion commander, B regiment Commander, etc etc. Not Until now you are the 3rd batch of recruits, as tradition a crew of the previous batch will show you how it is done after their training courses!'' Gunther announced, and with that said 4 Black skulls walk towards the Panther.
Nimbly entering the tank. ''ON MY MARK!'' The Radio operator shouted, ''GO!'' The radio operator moved his hand downwards an immediately the Tanks engine comes to life and starts moving forwards. The driver shifts the gears so skilfully that you can't see when it switches gears, quickly reaching its top speed of 55 Km/h off-road, the trainees eyes quickly were pinned on the tank, the drivers were starting to judge if they could do that, some thought yes while others were starting to doubt themselves.
The tank crossed trenches, water-filled pools, Obstacles, ditches, avoids trees, rocks, too wide trenches and even jumped over certain ramps, climbing inclines that were very steep. But the driver and commander were in perfect sync causing the Tank to barely lose any speed. The trainee's mouths were wide open seeing this display. After less than 3 minutes did the Tank arrive at the designated spot and in less than 3 seconds did the tank fire its first shell, immediately penetrating the tanks weak spot, the tank they were facing was a standard German Tiger II tank or King Tiger. Shell after shell, shot after shot, hit after hit.
The gunner, loader and commander were perfectly coordinating making not a single wrong judgement. In less than 2 minutes the Tank has already fired 37 shells, almost emptying half of the shell reserves, the most astonishing was that all 37 shells fired were hits! All trainees gasped for air and started to get depressed, knowing they now cannot do the same, 'Ha if they knew that these 4 men are part of my own Elite tank Hunter platoon they wouldn't look so depressed, but their arrogance needs to be terminated quickly.' Gunther judged Harshly.
The crew returned and nimbly exited, while logistics personnel quickly loaded the tank again, ''We have failed Commander!'' The 4 men knelt and apologised, ''We previously achieved a total shell count of 40 confirmed shots fired and hit, we have dropped to 37 and we fired the 38th but the millisecond crossed before the shell could leave the barrel!'' The men's faces were solemn, ''It is okay it is a long time ago you used this tank making you all a bit rusty, but keep improving you have to be able to quickly use other tanks without much drop in performance!'' Gunther berated.
''Now lads! Time to show your skills!'' The Gunner shouted the recruits faces were dark cursing the 5 of them in their minds, 'After that how can we in any way compete?!?' ''First 3 teams step up!'' The gunner continued. And with this the Tank academia officially started it's 3 years.