Chapter 9-10 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 9 – Ready to Lead

The morning sun shone over Fort Moore, Georgia—the base that, until recently, was known as Fort Benning. The place was no longer unfamiliar to Grant Tucker-Pritchett. After months of brutal training there, the dirt roads, concrete military buildings, and the constant sound of training fire were almost familiar. But this time, there was a difference.

Now, he was officially reporting to the 3rd Ranger Battalion.

The tan insignia of his Ranger beret rested atop his head, a symbol of all he had accomplished. But he knew that passing RASP wasn't the end—it was just the beginning.

And this moment would confirm it.

Grant walked through the battalion's administrative corridors, feeling a mix of anticipation and seriousness. He wore his impeccable uniform, the Private Second Class (PV2) insignia still shining on his chest. He stopped in front of the door marked "Captain Daniel Grayson – Company Commander."

He took a deep breath, knocked twice, and waited.

A firm voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Grant opened the door and stepped inside.

Captain Daniel Grayson was a man in his early forties, with impeccable posture and a sharp gaze. His uniform displayed multiple decorations, including a Ranger badge and combat medals. His face bore the marks of experience—a man who had seen war firsthand.

He stared at Grant for a moment before speaking.

"Tucker-Pritchett, right?"

Grant stood to attention.

"Yes, sir! Private Second Class Grant Tucker-Pritchett, reporting as ordered!"

The captain nodded slowly, studying him.

"Sit down."

Grant complied, standing straight in the chair at the commander's desk.

"You went through RASP hell and got your beret, but that doesn't mean you're finished. Here at 3rd Battalion, we want our Rangers to continually improve."

Grant nodded.

"Understood, sir."

Grayson laced his fingers together on the table.

"A newly minted Ranger can't just sit back. You need to become more valuable to your unit. That means you have to choose a specialization. And here, we have some options for you."

He slid a piece of paper across the table. Grant picked it up and scanned the options:

Sniper School – For those aspiring to become snipers.

Combat Diving School – For underwater operations.

Mountain Combat School – For missions in extreme terrain.

Air Assault School – For rapid helicopter operations.

Ranger School – The ultimate test of leadership and endurance.

Grant looked up at the captain.

"And what would you recommend?"

The captain smiled slightly, as if he'd been waiting for that question.

"If you truly want to become a leader, if you want to be someone who can guide your brothers in arms and support your superiors, then the only answer is Ranger School."

Grant looked back at the sheet.

Ranger School was known as one of the most brutal military courses in the world. Even seasoned soldiers crumbled under the pressure of its intense courses—from the dense forests of Georgia to the mountains of Dahlonega to the swamps of Florida.

"Do you think I'm ready for this, sir?"

The captain held his gaze.

"If you weren't, you wouldn't have made it through RASP. But the decision is yours."

Grant pressed the sheet between his fingers for a moment before nodding.

"I want Ranger School, sir."

Grayson smiled.

"Excellent choice. You'll learn the true meaning of leadership." It won't be easy, but when you return, you'll be a better Ranger and a stronger soldier for this unit.

Grant straightened.

"I'm ready for the challenge."

The captain took a document and signed it.

"Then it's official. You'll be sent to Ranger School for the next training cycle. Until then, you'll train with your unit here at the battalion and learn from the veterans. Do that, and you'll be more than prepared."

Grant took the paper and stood, saluting.

"Thank you, sir."

Grayson returned the salute.

"Welcome to the 3rd Battalion, Tucker-Pritchett. Now go meet your teammates."

Leaving the commander's office, Grant headed to the battalion barracks. Upon entering, he found a group of Rangers chatting and organizing their equipment.

All eyes turned to him.

One of the soldiers, a tall, muscular man with a shaved head and a cynical smile, crossed his arms.

"Look, a rookie."

Grant stood firm.

"Private Second Class Grant Tucker-Pritchett."

Another soldier, a sharp-featured Latino, whistled.

"That name's too long, man. We're going to need a nickname."

A third, shorter, with dark skin and sharp eyes, tilted his head.

"Where are you from, Tucker-Pritchett?"

Grant took a deep breath.

"Los Angeles."

The first soldier laughed.

"So we have a Ranger from Hollywood.

The Latino snapped his fingers.

"I know. Let's call him 'Cinema.'"

Grant raised an eyebrow.

"Cinema?"

"Cinema. You look like something out of a movie."

The other soldiers laughed, and Grant gave a half-smile.

"I'll take it. As long as you don't make me pay for admission to get in here."

The group laughed louder.

The shorter soldier clapped him on the shoulder.

"My name is Barnes. This one is Rivera, and the big guy over there is Dalton."

"Nice to meet you."

Dalton pointed to the sheet of paper in Grant's hand.

"What did the commander tell you to do?"

Grant held up the paper.

"I signed up for Ranger School."

The three soldiers looked at each other, and Rivera whistled.

"The rookie's got guts."

Barnes smiled.

"Well, then we have to prepare you."

Dalton slapped Grant on the back.

"Welcome to the 3rd Battalion, Cine. Now this is where it gets real."

Grant smiled.

He knew the real test was yet to come. But now, he wasn't alone.

Chapter 10 – The Rookie

The sound of gunfire echoed across the Fort Moore firing range, the rhythmic cadence of M4 rounds mixing with the sweltering Georgia heat. Grant Tucker-Pritchett, or as he was now called Cine positioned himself behind the makeshift barrier, took a deep breath, and aligned the sights on his weapon.

"Moving!" he shouted, advancing quickly to the next cover, keeping his stance low and his rifle firmly against his shoulder.

"Cover!" Dalton, the team's big man, responded, firing a precise sequence at the targets ahead.

Grant knelt behind the barricade, adjusting his sights and squeezing the trigger. Three accurate shots hit the metal targets about 50 meters away.

"Good shooting, Cine!" Barnes shouted from across the range.

Grant didn't respond. He was too focused on repeating every move he'd learned. Every detail mattered.

The 3rd Ranger Battalion was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. RASP had been brutal, but here, among veteran soldiers, the pressure was different. He was no longer a prospect trying to prove himself. Now he was the rookie, and no one took it easy on rookies.

He knew he needed to learn fast.

After shooting practice, Grant and his team returned to their barracks, sweaty and covered in dust. He could still feel his muscles throbbing from the weight of their gear and the relentless heat.

Rivera, the sharp-faced Latino, tossed his helmet onto the bed and looked at Grant.

"You're not bad, Cine. But you still think too much. In the middle of a firefight, if you stop to think, you're already dead."

Grant nodded, taking a long swig from his water bottle.

"I'm trying to improve my reaction."

Barnes, who was cleaning his weapon, gave a half-smile.

"You will. You just need more field time. And guess what? You'll get that soon."

Grant raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Dalton threw a towel over his shoulder and snorted.

"Everyone here has at least two deployments. You're the only one who hasn't seen combat yet. But that'll change soon."

The mention of deployments caused the atmosphere to shift subtly. There was something in his comrades' eyes not arrogance, but a heaviness that Grant didn't yet fully understand.

He wanted to understand.

But he knew there was only one way to learn.

The following week, Grant was called into the company sergeant's office. He already had a clue why, but when he saw the document on the desk, he felt a small surge of pride rise in his chest.

Sergeant First Class Matthews, a man with a thick beard and a deep voice, crossed his arms.

"Cine, you've been showing progress. And based on your performance in RASP and the unit, you're being promoted to Private First Class (E-3)."

Grant stood straight and nodded.

"Thank you, sir."

Matthews handed him a new uniform badge.

"That means we expect even more from you. Keep proving you deserve to be here."

"Yes, sir."

Leaving the office, Grant couldn't help but smile. It was a small but important step. He was still the rookie, but now he was a rookie rising in the ranks.

When he returned to the barracks, Rivera noticed the new badge first and whistled.

"Look, the baby Ranger is growing up."

Barnes laughed.

"You better buy the beers tonight."

Grant rolled his eyes.

"Maybe after Ranger School."

Dalton patted his shoulder.

"Speaking of which, when are you leaving?"

Grant took a deep breath.

"Next week."

The group was silent for a moment. Then Rivera patted him on the head.

"So you have one last week to learn everything you can before disappearing into the woods and becoming a walking skeleton."

Everyone laughed. But Grant knew it wasn't an exaggeration.

Ranger School was coming.

And he had to be ready.

Chapter 5 - Chapter 9-10