Master Guns

Newly promoted Master Gunnery Sergeant Richard Rhodes returns to Vietnam after thirty days leave in Hong Kong and three months training in the states to take over as Operations Chief for the Third Recon Battalion in Dong Ha. Master Guns Rhodes was expecting a tour on the operation staff after an eighteen month extended tour in I-Corps with 3rd Battalion 4th Marines. He had served as Charlie Company Gunny as a Master Sergeant for most of eighteen months, and his nerves were nearly shot. Charlie Company Skipper, now a Major and S3 for 3rd Recon Battalion, had talked Rhodes into waving his return to combat date and another tour as 3rd Recon Operations Chief, a staff billet. A tour as a pogue in a soft staff job was just what Rhodes needed. Or so he thought.
There was just one hitch. Rhodes had the training, but no operational Recon experience. Major Slaughter wanted Rhodes to get some operational experience with the recon teams before he started in the Three Shop. But how bad could that be? A few walks in the sun and then an office, hot meals, daily showers, shined boots and clean utes. It didn’t quite work out that way.