DEVGRU is a highly efficient and professional, world-class counterterrorism unit, and the logistics staff working here are just as efficient and professional.
Long Zhan followed Jennifer to complete the check-in process, received all the "rookie gear," and proceeded to his assigned barracks.
It all took less than half an hour!
The rookie barracks is a large, warehouse-style room divided into two levels.
Upon entering through the front door, there are rows of wash basins on both sides. The left hallway leads to the restroom area, while the right leads to the shower area.
In the middle is a 200-square-meter lounge area.
A television larger than 100 inches hangs on the wall in front, and other areas are filled with tables, chairs, bookshelves, fitness equipment, and other recreational items. There are already small groups of people chatting inside.
A staircase in the middle leads to the second floor, where there are no partitions. Pushing open the door reveals a massive space filled with bunk beds.
This can be understood as a "bedroom."
After being ravaged by generations of new recruits, the bedroom's various areas are now full of holes, and most of the bunk beds are twisted and deformed.
Upon seeing this dilapidated dormitory, Long Zhan completely understood why there was only one person inside.
The only new recruit in the dormitory, seeing Long Zhan enter, took the initiative to greet him: "Bryan Armstrong, from Team 2. It's a pleasure to meet you. My friends call me Bryan."
Long Zhan immediately recognized his identity, shook his hand, and smiled, "Long Jibolin, from Team 3. I'm also glad to meet you, my competitor."
"It's rare to meet such a humorous and charming Asian American like you. Maybe we're not just competitors; we'll probably become teammates in the future."
Bryan was only about 1.7 meters tall, a full head shorter than Long Zhan, and his body was much smaller, but his words were full of confidence, and he wasn't at all worried about being eliminated.
"Maybe, but you better be careful. I've heard Green Team has a lot of training accidents."
This was a subtle warning from Long Zhan, as based on what he'd seen in TV shows, Bryan's personal strength was indeed very strong, and his team spirit far exceeded that of another supporting character, DG's rookie, Clay.
Unfortunately, he died in a skydiving training accident, which Long Zhan had felt was quite unfortunate when watching it on TV.
"Don't worry, I'm the lucky boy, haha."
Though Bryan found Long Zhan's words a bit strange, his outgoing and carefree personality didn't mind. He enthusiastically helped Long Zhan with his luggage, laughing, "Let me give you a hand. There's an empty bed next to mine. Maybe, I think, you won't mind being neighbors."
Long Zhan walked over with him, teasing, "They say the SEALs from the East Coast are a bunch of farmers in Carhartt gear. I didn't expect you, this farmer, to be so enthusiastic. It's a bit of a surprise. Maybe I think being swimming partners with you, the enthusiastic farmer, is a good choice."
The Navy SEALs have a signature motto: "SEALs never operate alone."
To live up to this motto, a unique training mechanism for new recruits was born.
Starting from the BUD/S selection training, each SEAL is paired with another during both training and future missions.
Their relationship is called "swimming partners," similar to the "combat partners" of Delta Force.
Since both are at the same rank, there are no barriers or pressures between them. They can be open with each other, forming a unit to promote mutual supervision, learning, encouragement, and progress.
This includes everything from checking parachute packs to trusting each other with their backs on the battlefield.
During his two years with SEAL Team 3, Long Zhan had a "swimming partner" who showed him what true brotherhood meant.
Unfortunately, later on...
Now, joining Green Team for evaluation training, Long Zhan knew he would once again have a swimming partner, and his ideal candidate was Bryan.
In response to Long Zhan's teasing about Carhartt farmers, Bryan smiled and launched a counterattack: "Lazy surfer, you must be Mr. January. If I get to be your swimming partner, the East-West Alliance will definitely be interesting."
The SEALs have two bases: one in San Diego, California, and another in Virginia Beach.
There's competition between the two in every aspect, and while it's generally healthy and beneficial, playful trash talk is inevitable.
And so it was.
Long Zhan, from the West Coast, and Bryan, from the East Coast, had only just met, but within a minute, they were already engaged in a witty banter, completing their first encounter with this playful exchange.
At the same time, through their teasing and harmless joking, they started their first collaboration, working together to organize Long Zhan's luggage.
Each bunk bed is for one person, with luggage and personal training equipment placed on the top, and people sleeping on the bottom.
Setting up was quite convenient.
"Hey, Bryson, tomorrow our hellish life begins. I heard there's a pretty good bar nearby. Tonight is the last day of freedom. Wanna go have some fun?"
Just as Long Zhan and Bryan finished setting up their beds, they heard a loud voice outside the door.
Turning to the door, Long Zhan grinned upon seeing a blonde guy walking in: "Well, well, looks like the Green Team supporting cast is all here."
"Clay, you came just in time. Let me introduce you to a new friend."
Bryan, clearly familiar with the newcomer, took the initiative to introduce the two: "Clay Sabins, we both come from Team 2, Long Jibolin, the big guy from Team 3. He's my new friend."
"Hello, nice to meet you. I've read the book your father wrote, it's really good. I'm not mocking you, I genuinely think it's great." Long Zhan extended his hand.
"You're the only person at this base who has said that about his writing."
Clay smiled wryly and shook Long Zhan's hand, clearly not wanting to talk more about his father. He adjusted his expression and said, "We're short one strong guy for the bar party tonight. Are you interested in joining us?"
"Of course, and if there's a chance for a romantic encounter, that would be even better."
Long Zhan raised an eyebrow, signaling a meaning only men understand.
"With your 300-pound frame, I don't think most women can handle it. I believe Bryan and I will have a better chance," Bryan teased.
"I agree!" Clay raised his hand with a grin.
"You guys clearly don't understand women. A strong, real man like me is exactly what they love, because I can show them what strength really is."
Long Zhan clenched his fists and thrust his hips forward dramatically.
This exaggerated and imaginative move made Bryan and Clay burst into laughter, and the sense of unfamiliarity between the three of them quickly disappeared.