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women's baseball zine #3
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rule the entire f*cking world
women's baseball zine #3
USA BASEBALL RPF (MODERN SETTING) 2 - Campaigns in the Ukraine (Chapter 5a)
(AN: It's been a long way since I last wrote on Tumblr. I've been doing one shots set in the war on Discord on my server there and will transcribe them here. With the situation as worse as two years ago, I have long had a writing pause to focus on Discord. But still, I did some content there, here on Tumblr, and now on Substack. I am still writing now on what the 78th BCT prepared for in the weeks and months before and after the start of their Ukrainian deployment, and expect that there will be chaptered one shots set in Ukrainian battlefields, both on the perspective of the 1st Battalion and of those individual fighters as well. I have resumed writing the RPF of the hockey boys and girls too. All these I do so that not only the world be aware of what is going on in Ukraine be known and that every effort be made to help arming the nation and financially assist its defense industry and national reconstruction, but also so that the memory of the fighting men and women of Ukraine and the many international fighters especially those who have perished will be remembered long after the end of this war. These first chapters will also serve as an introduction to the cast of characters of this series.)
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIE MAYS AND ORLANDO CEPEDA
DUKE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
Friday, January 15, 2022
1045H EST
For the first time since activation elements of A and B Companies of 1st Battalion performed their first weekly Combat Water Survival tests in preparation for their potential Ukrainian deployment. The reason why is not just as a refresher training given that all those who were called for the mobilization program already had it done, but also to prepare for scenarios of crossing the rivers and lakes of Ukraine - as well as marshlands and swamps - without any vehicle or boat support, as well as in any scenario of any type of bridge being destroyed by Russian enemy fire as well as any Russian destruction of vehicles while crossing waterways by any means. Plans are made to make this a weekly duty as the other companies of the battalion are being activated from reserve and cadre status.
However Captain Frazier's 1st Platoon under 1LT Tyler Austin - the so-called Tokyo Boys - have some more time for swimming duties and water survival outside these, as per the behest of one of its men, as MAJ Sogard and some others view the proceedings. He can hear him shout "On me, go!" as the water splashes.
"Is that Sergeant Joe Ryan leading the company staff and 1st Platoon elements?"
BG Randolph replies, "He's the one. We all saw those swim pictures and videos he frequenly sent to us in Cary via email. He's grown so much since Tokyo."
"That's one of my A Company sergeants," the major answered.
Planned to be promoted to lieutenant colonel for his work in the brigade's reactivation to active duty, MAJ Scott Brosius added, "He's definitely been training in the pool in between our combat and training operations, Sogard."
"I'm sure he has been. And is that Major Nick Swisher?"
"Affirmative. Part of the 3rd NY, and as part of our brigade's training program, he has returned here to help in mobilization efforts. Ever the natural swimmer he is."
"Has Captain Plata known of this?"
"Has his seal of approval. And he's gonna make it a near daily duty outside of the weekly combat swim survival drills because 1st Battalion needs to be the vanguard in Ukraine operations."
"All normal so far for these lads, " added 1LT Mattalino. He says that through these and the other exercises they have been kept even more fit and healthy for operations ahead.
Sergeant Joe Ryan of 2nd squad, 1st platoon of A Company had been a part of the 2021 mobilization unit and ever the swimmer he was, alongside some of that unit, he was the lead NCO whenever pool and open water swims would occur. A native of San Francisco, CA, Ryan was selected to be a part of the 98th Tampa Bay but by the time he was already in Japan as a member of the 78th Brigade's Tokyo task unit in July of 2021, he had been transferred to Minneapolis and the battalion of the 1st Minnesota based in St. Paul operationally, since he had been named a part of its 1st Battalion upon his transfer. Being the lead swimmer in such training fixtures whenever a water scenario occurs he has been a big motivator for everyone in A Company. Captain Jake Arrietta of B Company could not help but watch from the sidelines at poolside as Joe and the 1st platoon finished their individual swim drills and emerged from the pool, all wet and bodies drenched by the water, before transitioning to combat water training invidiually - this time wearing combat shorts or speedos unlike in the earlier training in full battle gear. In both cases, the servicemen would carry their M4 rifles, which they have been inspected so that they would not be damaged by exposing to the water. It has been Joe's duty to help the company adapt to their role as the assault vanguard and to help them be ready for such scenarios in inland waters or in ocean waters. In this manner and reflecting where the 78th BCT is planning to head for deployment duties, preparing to swim in the fast flowing rivers of Ukraine, its lakes and swamps would be very easy if everyone would be prepared either if the crossing would be by themselves carrying their gear and rifles, inflatable boats or by their combat vehicles. All this was Joe's proposal when the 2021 contingent got formed up, for while this would be a reminder of his swimming days out west when he was young, it would also prepare them for the hard tasks of having to cross any inland body of water without any form of vehicular support. All of these, supervised by the medical staff, lifeguards and battalion and company leadership, would continue even during their deployment as preparation for the tasks they would do there.
"Cannot believe this Dex. How cost THEY do that?" Jake asked his XO.
1LT Dexter Fowler replied, "They did this before in Japan, I was told, and right here at stateside."
SFC LaPorta added, "I'm sure Baker Company will do the same iin the future."
"Same for me here, hoping that we would do the same as they do", added SSGT Blaine Neal.
After individual and then squad level drills, Joe's group - the A Company officers and assigned NCOs and 1st platoon personnel together - would do platoon level swim duty as a group, as usual wearing speedos or shorts to simulate a platoon level river crossing without uniforms but with rifles. Everyone at poolside has been impressed by what they have done.
And then comes that part wherein the whole drill is repeated but with combat gear and bags to simulate moving these thru rivers and lakes.
After all come out of the pool and bring their bags and gear to poolside for a final inspection, Major Sogard greets them. "Well done 1st Platoon of A Company, and to you Sergeant Ryan. Your efforts will make this unit ready for what the coming weeks and months will bring."
"It was my idea after all, for I've been a swimmer all my life," the sergeant replied. After learning that the 78th would plan to come to the aid of Ukraine in case of the feared Russian invasion that week and indeed he and his companions were the first to be mobilized officially, he devised a plan, he said, to prepare his mates in the Tokyo contingent - the first ones of A Coy 1-78th IBCT that got mobilized - for the challenges that lay in Ukraine's rivers, lakes, marshes and swamplands and how to cross them in the absence of amphibious-ready armored vehicles and any crossable bridges in the immediate vicinity, either temporary or permanent. This would continue even after they have been deployed because such a duty would happen by order of company leadership.
"Have the rifles been checked, sarge, post-swim?"
"Yes sir, all well and in good condition."
"Well noted Ryan. Well done everyone. This is just a start for this company, right Captain Frazier?"
"Affirmative sir, " Todd replied. "We will do this again in a few days and then we will do it twice every week to prepare the boys for such scenarios."
"Same for me major," added CPT Tulowitzki.
"I hope this continues well for A Company. Dismissed."
As the major left, Todd looked to Sergeant Ryan, saying "There's more we can do to prepare for these. We have a hard task to do."
"Noted, captain. Is that the same, SFC Gose?"
The company first sergeant replied, "Yup. That's the same thing Joe."
"Hoping we're ready for the next one lads. There will be more of these that will come as we prepare to answer Ukraine's call."
78TH BRIGADE COMMAND MESS
1600H EST
"Maxwell, we now have a commander for D Company of 1st Battalion, also set to be activated from cadre status."
That was the word that LTC Dale Murphy informed BG Maxwell. The search was over, 1LT Bailey Ober can finally be appointed D Company CO by the orders of LTC Fenster.
"Who's that?" Maxwell asked.
"Assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Minnesota based out of Minneapolis. He's from Huntersville."
"Why he is being recalled?"
"Part of 2014 contingent from universities and colleges, general. The very things he learned there he now applies as a platoon XO there," Dale replied.
"That explains everything. And who chose him?"
"Major Sogard, sir. On the suggestion of no less than Sergeant Joe Ryan from A Company."
Jason then ended the talk saying, "I therefore hope he will be informed at once that he's being recalled to the active ranks. He must be ready for his first command billet. So have you guys have found a company first sergeant for these boys now that this company will be reactivated from being in the reserves?"
"Yes also. SSGT Lucas Sims, 1st Battalion 1st Cincinnati City. He too will be informed in a few days of his appointment to the role."
Then Major Sogard arrived, stunned by the decision to activate D Company.
"It now has a new commander and first sergeant? That D Company?"
"Yes Major, the one being set to be prepared for active duty," replied LTC Murphy.
"Noted gents. In a few days from now we can finally activate this. We have to hand over command to the newly selected members of the command team. Those being cadre, the last of the peacetime rifle companies, are being transferred to the battalions being activated."
"Affirmative, major. Slowly 1st Battalion is completing its mobilization phrase."
"But how about the rest of 169th Corps? Have they been informed?"
BG Maxwell replied, "Now more than ever, we have to inform them we are being mobilized given what's going on in Ukraine. They better be ready to recieve the mobilization order from USEC Manfred and his command team led by LTG Halem, who for the past years was also Corps JAG until he handed over to a new general officer this year. We must be ready to tell them now is the time to prepare the work needed for mobilization, whether Russia gears up to invade Ukraine or not."
"Noted sir. And has Swaggerty been informed of the appointment of his company XO?"
"Yes he has been called of this," Sogard replied.
"I'm sure he will be ready to be recalled to active service."
"He will be ready, Josh, to renew his commissioning oath as he prepares for this new assignment."
"And is the 4th and 5th battalions set for activation orders?"
"Yes major. They will be raised soon."
"And our tank battalion?"
"Its M60s and Abrams are being reconditioned as well. They too will have drills with us. The same goes for our field artillery battalions, soon being set to become a regiment under brigade headquarters. We have a whole lot to do to prepare for our future operations in Ukraine, even the equipment, uniforms, weapons and logistics assistance needed."
"Noted sir. Back to D Company. Are we looking on who will be filling its ranks?"
"2013-2015 collegiate, 2017 and 2018 pre-training, 2011-2015 high schools. We will notify them at home and their families. If the names called are absent due to various reasons we will be informed. If overseas by the time they are being called, we will email them to ask them to be here in Cary. Those who are overseas who are willing to wear the uniform, we will try to call them even if not named in these lists. For they too will be a part of this if they accept that mission."
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[457] Please let apocalypse be this great. Thanks!
Savannah Bananas AU - Ukraine War
This is part of @davidshawnsown lore.
An exhibition baseball team called Savannah Bananas turned into a Stryker-equipped independent volunteer regiment. In his lore, in Ukraine they are stationed in the northern sector, fighting in the vicinity of Svatove-Kreminna line.