Neville was determined to start over, so he spent most of Tuesday packing up his things. Even though he didn't have much because he lived in a studio apartment.
The first thing he did was to sort everything into three piles: things to sell, things to store, and things to discard. He didn't have to worry about any family belongings, so he would only store his most private belongings in a rental storage unit.
He arranged everything in categories, beginning with the kitchen. Sorting dishes, utensils, and appliances, he kept only the necessities. He estimated that he would be deployed in no more than three weeks, so he didn't need much.
He moved into the living room and carefully organized the books, DVDs, and study aids he had from his time as a student.
He arrived at his bedroom by sunset. He only kept a few of the clothes after they were sorted.
The pillows and linens were packed away, and his bed was bare. Neville was meticulous about his suits. He had spent the years investing in a small collection of well-tailored suits. To protect them, each one was carefully taken off its hanger, folded neatly, and put in garment bags.
In order to keep them in perfect condition while being stored, he made sure to pack them in a sturdy box.
He drove to a storage facility after packing the boxes into a rental car.
He rented a unit quickly and made sure everything was safe before carefully placing his boxes inside, locking the unit.
The pile he set aside to sell would be moved to a second hand store and those to be thrown would be visiting the dump.
*************************
Neville got a call from Sergeant Miller on Thursday. "Your ASVAB results have been returned, Mr. Neville. You excelled, particularly in the STEM fields. Additionally, you passed your MEPS physical without any problems. The service classification counselor's appointment is about to begin.
Neville was once again at the recruiting station, but this time he was in a smaller, more private office.
Behind a desk was a woman in a clean uniform, and a computer screen showed Neville's test results and other data. This was the counselor for service classification, Sergeant First Class Johnson.
One thing Neville had to note was how fast things were going, he knew something was wrong but he still wanted to enlist as an Infantryman because the last thing he wanted right now was to be close to his family.
"Mr. Neville, have a seat," she said, offering a obligatory smile. "Sergeant Miller tells me you're interested in a combat role, specifically Infantry."
"Yes, Sergeant," Neville replied, sitting down.
"Your ASVAB scores are excellent," she continued, glancing at the screen. "You qualify for a wide range of MOSs, including many technical and skilled positions. But you're set on Infantry?"
"Yes, ma'am. That's what I want."
Sergeant First Class Johnson nodded. "Alright. Let's talk Infantry. As we discussed before with Sergeant Miller, the primary MOS is 11B, Infantryman. That's your basic rifleman. You'll be trained in weapons handling, tactics, combat manoeuvres, and all the skills necessary for ground combat."
"That's what I'm looking for," Neville confirmed.
"There's also 11C, Indirect Fire Infantryman, which deals with mortars. Given your aptitude for math and mechanics, you'd likely excel at it. But it sounds like you're set on being on the front lines."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Okay. 11B it is then. Now, let's talk about your enlistment options. You can enlist for various lengths of time, typically ranging from three to six years. The longer your enlistment, the more benefits you'll be eligible for, such as higher bonuses and educational benefits."
Neville had already considered this. "I'd like to enlist for four years," he said.
"Four years is a good option," Sergeant First Class Johnson agreed. "It gives you a solid amount of time to gain experience and take advantage of the benefits. Now, let's move on to the contract."
She pulled up a document on her computer screen. "This is your enlistment contract. It outlines your commitment to the Army, your MOS, your term of service, your pay grade, and the benefits you'll receive. Take your time to read through it carefully. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
Neville reviewed the contract, carefully reading each clause. It was a straightforward document, clearly outlining his obligations and the Army's promises. He asked a few clarifying questions about the benefits package, and Sergeant Johnson patiently answered them.
Once he was satisfied, he signed the contract. "Alright, Mr. Neville," Sergeant First Class Johnson said, smiling. "There's just one thing left to do."
She led him to a small room where another officer was waiting. This was the officer who would administer the Oath of Enlistment. Neville stood tall, raised his right hand, and repeated the oath after the officer.
"I, Neville Grey, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
As he finished the oath, a sense of finality settled over him. It was official. He was now a member of the United States Army.
After his oath, he was led back to Sergeant Johnson's office, where a stack of forms awaited him. He meticulously reviewed each document, confirming his personal information, his chosen MOS (11B, Infantryman), his four-year enlistment term, and the details of his pay and benefits. He received copies of everything, neatly organized in a folder.
Next came the briefing. He was ushered into a small room with a few other newly enlisted recruits. A staff sergeant, his uniform, stood at the front, a projector displaying a slideshow.
" Alright, listen up, recruits! You're here now. You've taken the oath, signed the papers, and now you're standing on the doorstep of becoming a United States Soldier. Let me be clear about something right from the start: this isn't summer camp. This isn't a game. This is the United States Army, and we take our mission, and your training, very seriously.
For the next ten weeks, you're going to be pushed harder than you've ever been pushed in your lives. Physically, mentally, emotionally – we're going to test every limit you think you have. You're going to be tired. You're going to be sore. You're going to be homesick. There will be times when you'll want to quit. I promise you."