Chapter 160: Review
On November 11, 1868, the Hexingen royal family hosted a cadet review ceremony in the outskirts of Hexingen. This event marked an important moment for the Hechingen Military Academy, as it was the first batch of students with high-quality education and military discipline.
The preparations for the ceremony began early in the morning, including the construction of reviewing stands for Prince Constantine and Ernst, as well as viewing stands for teachers and local officials. The students of the Hechingen Military Academy were required to maintain their professionalism and precision during this event.
The students, dressed in the military uniforms of the Hechingen army, resembled the historical army of Hexingen. However, everyone was aware that Hexingen's autonomy was limited, and the true rule in the region was held by the Prussian government.
Prince Constantine addressed the audience, emphasizing the historical significance of Hexingen and its strong connection with the people. He mentioned the academy's mission to inherit and uphold the traditions of Hexingen.
Ernst followed with a speech, focusing on the importance of the Hechingen Military Academy in training professional military talents. He spoke about the academy's transition from quantity-focused education to quality-driven refinement. He encouraged the students to improve themselves and become pillars of society.
After the speeches, the review officially began. The students, led by instructors and student cadres, marched onto the field with discipline. They sang the school song of the Hechingen Military Academy, composed by Ernst himself, while executing precise Prussian goose steps and carrying Dreiser rifles. The guests on the reviewing platform applauded as they watched the young and well-trained cadets pass by.
Among the guests was a Prussian military officer who commented that the students' training level surpassed that of the Prussian ordinary army before its reform. He noted that there were still some areas for improvement but believed that these young cadets had great potential for the future.
However, he also expressed some reservations about the cadets' combat readiness, mentioning that the real battlefield wouldn't be as forgiving as this controlled environment. The officer believed that the Prussian army's professional military academies had a more robust training program.
Despite these reservations, Ernst was determined to continue the reform of the Hechingen Military Academy. He saw this military parade as just the beginning and looked forward to building a professional teacher team and better facilities. The true test of the academy's effectiveness would come in the years ahead.