Page 112 - Musings 2022

The Drill Teacher

Divyam Verma
2017A2PS0701P

“Stand still!”, the green uniformed drill sergeant with stripes on his shoulder said. The
greenhorn cadet, whose name was Rajesh, stayed still as a nail drilled in the ground. “March

Forward from the left!” the sergeant thundered and all cadets followed in unison. Today’s day

was a hectic day for Rajesh. An army cadet who was doing his training drills for the last two
hours, Rajesh was feeling tired even being one of the best cadets of his platoon. When the

training drills were over, Rajesh finally took a relaxed sigh and was wondering about what
would be in the breakfast that day. He started moving towards the cadet’s mess but was

suddenly confronted by the drill sergeant.

The sergeant said,” You did good today, I am arranging your transfer to the forest base at
Ratangarh. You have to stay there for the transfer duty. Meet me at the ordnance area at 11 am

tomorrow.” A confused and terrified Rajesh, still not being able to register what was said to
him, stomped his feet to the ground and said “Sir, yes sir!”. The sergeant grunted and walked

away. Ratangarh was a backwater military installation that was not a thing for the best cadets
like Rajesh. Located in an insignificant swamp, the forests of Ratangarh were very unforgiving

and notorious due to the presence of dangerous Naxalites.

The next day after finishing his drills and breakfast, Rajesh barged to the ordnance area with
his packed uniform and gear. There he met his hard-tempered sergeant, who could burn anyone

with his piercing gaze. The sergeant said fervently, “Board this army transport you will reach
Ratangarh by 5 pm evening. From there, you meet the officer-in-charge Master sergeant

Sukhwinder Singh for debriefing. He will arrange your quarters and tell you the duty which I

have arranged for you.”
“Yes sir! See you soon sir after the transfer duty.”, Rajesh blurted. The sergeant scuffed with a

faint trace of a smile on his face,” Good luck to you son. One day you will become the best.”
The helicopter started chopping through the summer air as Rajesh boarded the deck and relaxed

a bit in his seat. He slept for most of his journey due to being tired after the morning drill.

Rajesh deboarded the helicopter taking his gear from his deck and greeting the pilot. He stepped
onto concrete ground scorched by the sun’s heat. With padded steps, he reached the officer-in-

th
charge doing some documentation in his office. “Good evening, sir! Corporal Rajesh from 26
squadron reporting for duty.”, Rajesh resounded with his classical poker face and respectful

gesture. “At ease, soldier.”, the Master Sergeant responded. “Corporal Dhanesh will show you

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