Naam Jai (น้ำใจ – water heart) Kindness and thoughtfulness.

Chapter Seven

Angie – Off to Detention

Many women responded to the notoriety, and reported they were raped and tortured by Doug and his associates. These were former female students and teachers. When asked why they did not report it sooner, they replied that Doug and his cohorts had threatened to kill their families. Reading the news report caused my stomach to churn.

Several of Doug's gang confessed to murder, and turned state's evidence and received life sentences. Some missing girls and women were discovered in a mine shaft where the Southside gang had dumped the bodies. Doug and two of his gang members were convicted and given death verdicts. It is a shame that an intelligent man like Doug took the lazy way to life and became a criminal. Reflecting about these things produced rumbles, in my throat, and my body was tensing. Conversely, the stress on my body has dissipated.

My parents sold their house in St. Louis. The Paisley name was tainted because of Doug's reputation. Consequently, they are moving in with us.

Our residence is in officer housing at Kelly Field AFB next door to Lackland AFB. Lackland suffers a housing shortage as a result of expanding its training schools, and Kelly enjoys more housing than needed. My mother, father, Ben, Lilly and I make one sizeable blissful family.

Granny and Pappy realize the Air Force life means moving. We will be fortunate to be able to stay in one spot for two years. Doug is locked up, although, his disfigured soul has an influence on our lives. My throat constricts making it difficult to swallow. My mouth suffers from a sour and smelly taste. Mamma claims that I am constantly muttering about Doug's meanness. Pain is reflected from my facial expressions. A dirty feeling destroys my views.

I need to get back to work. My mind demands to be filled with new ideas. Officer Administration School (OAS) may be the suitable prescription for me.

Orientation presented us with a new concept. It had separately been eight schools or training centers now combined into one. Perhaps the trembling in my arms and legs will disappear if I can divert my energy.

The school includes classes in administration, organizational leadership, supervision, finance, accounting, communications and public relations. Parts of the previous programs had overlapping content. The new school was designed similar to a MBA platform, but was tailored to meet Air Force standards. The OAS syllabus broadcasts that it is an entity lasting a year. The professors are on loan from their respective universities, and are more demanding than command level officers. Considering the opportunity, a warmth replaces the shaking in my limbs.

Graduates of the OAS curriculum are in the top twenty percent may become candidates for PHD programs internationally. One fourth of the grade will depend on how well you assist your fellow students. Another twenty-five percent will be practical application. The presenter said the reasons you were chosen for this program are three-fold.

First, your college curriculum found you graduating in the top ten percent of the class. That means we have some of the smartest students in the country, but additionally you are students who are practical. It was an honor to be accepted to the course. I fear that the unknown has stunned me. My heart is deep and rich.

Second, we did a background check on everyone in the class and discovered who helped other students in high school and college. We don't want loners and recluses. It is a desire on our part to train leaders who are not autocrats, but to enable others to do their respective jobs. That means helping not dictating. The more she said produces a sense of peace inside me.

Third, all students were evaluated by their previous commanders and placed as the top aspirants in the Air Force. We are investing in the best contenders available. Do not get a big head. The work level will be demanding. I appreciate that the students surrounding me are the cream of the crop in the Air Force.

Every student in your class will be assigned as Flight Leaders, Executive Officers or Squadron Commanders of local units depending on your rank and experience. You will be evaluated, promoted and graded on your ability to put theory into practice. Part of your day will be in your local unit. The rest of the day will be in the classroom and study groups. Slackers will be dismissed. To me it looks as if I possess the inability to comprehend what will be changed internally.

Her final comment was, "If anyone feels that the program is not a fit to your aspirations, or you do not see the Air Force as your career, please drop out now. Come by my office today and let me know. Otherwise, I want to see First Lieutenant Crossman, Captain Goldman and Captain Kendrick in my office immediately. Each of you will be scheduled per the list on the bulletin board outside my office."

Oh my, she called the ones to be ejected before the first class meets. A surge of heat flashed throughout my body. The implication being that somehow my background check will reflect poorly because of my brother. Sweat was drizzling from my pores. Desiring to hide was an implication of my troubles.

My name was called, but the confusion in my mind prevented me from hearing it. She approached me personally. "Are you Lt. Crossman?" "Yes mam. I'm recently married and not use to my new name."

"Come in to my office." "Yes mam." "Just call me Sylvia." Yes ma.., ah, Sylvia." "Then call me Angie." "Angie, there is a problem on our base." "Oh!" Here it comes! "It seems, we are short a captain." "Yes, Sylvia" "It has been published that you are known as the toughest female MDCC fighter in the world. Your high school and college grades are 4.0. Your college debate team claims their national win was because of your efforts.". "We need you in our program!" I almost fainted. "Thank you, Sylvia." "I should be thanking you." "Why?"

"The commander of a female basic training squadron just resigned. The base commander cannot find a replacement. The executive officer has declined the position. Would you consider becoming the commander of the squadron?" "Sylvia, I would love to, but what are you not telling me?" "Your mind works fast. The difficulty is greater than losing a commander. The four past commanders have either requested transfers or resigned.

The obstacles are that the Chief Master Sergeant/First Sergeant is the meanest woman in the Air Force. She is a former marine that believes Air Force women do not have a backbone." "And the other reason?" "The executive officer does not have a backbone.

There will be two strikes against the person that commands the squadron from hell." "A good part of my life has been a living hell. I have been raped, bullied, left for dead and I can still smile. Ring fighting is enjoyable, but street fighting, brings out the beast in me. Starting a fight is not my style, but defending myself or my family causes me to be able to fight a dozen men. Please believe that what is said is not bragging, but is the result of facing bullies, perverts, murderers, rapists and gangs. My past is not pretty, but my parents, husband and daughter love me."

"St. Louis calls you "Superwoman." You captured a whole gang by yourself. You were not afraid of guns and knives,"

"News media exaggerates the truth. I was mad and fought like a crazy woman."

"You might need to be crazy to command the squadron rejected by good officers."

"Thanks for your confidence, Sylvia."

She handed me two sets of orders: The first, appointing me as Commander of Squadron F. The second, promoting me to captain. Then she removed my lieutenant bars and replaced them with captain insignia. A weight was lifted from my brain.

When I arrived at home that afternoon Ben noticed the captain bars on my shoulders. He asked, "How did you obtain the new rank?"

"I have been assigned as Commander of the worst Basic Training Squadron on Lackland." I explained the details of my promotion.

"Two Air Force Intelligence Agents asked me questions about you a couple of days ago. I was honest and told them a little of your history. I believed they were doing a security check on you which is normal. They must trust you to do the job. You will have to take it a step at a time. Do not rush any decisions. Seek wisdom of others that have faced similar situations."

Ben understands how to soothe my nature. Talking with him, convinced me that I was ready to tackle my new assignment.

Major Sylvia Young introduced me to the leadership of Squadron F. "Some say that Captain Crossman is the meanest woman in the world. Others say she can whip any man alive. A Northern newspaper calls her "Superwoman," and says she fought a dozen gang members who had guns and knives, single handedly, and put them in jail. She is your new Squadron Commander. I present Captain Angelina Crossman."

"Yesterday Major Young was told that the news media embellished the facts. There were only six gang members that I put to rest. On the other hand, my husband has taught me many ways to kill a man if someone forces me in that direction. Most of the girls in Squadron F are just out of high school. A few have college degrees. The young ladies with us are our girls. If anyone hurts one of these girls, he will wish that he had never crossed my path. Have no doubt, when a man intimidates one of our young ladies and causes her to cry, I will remove his manhood, and stomp on it."

Continuing, "I don't like bullies - man or woman. They are maggots in my book, and are the scum of humanity. If one of these sleaze-balls mess with the trainees in our squadron, my wrath will make him wish he was dead."

Parents expect us to protect their daughters until they discover how to protect themselves. Because of the heat in Texas, we will run before breakfast, every day. Right now, MDCC training is voluntary. All personnel in Squadron F will be required to train in MDCC after supper.

That means staff as well as trainees. When our women leave here, they will be ready to defend themselves better than anyone in the Air Force, Army, Navy or Marines. Anyone in the room feel they can't comply with my rules. I will be glad to sign their transfer request. It is time to quit playing, and get serious." I underwent a positive change in my perception.

Chief Master Sergeant Hardcore was the first to shake my hand after the meeting. "The running is to build endurance. It is not a race. I want strong women and staff. We will gradually build them. It is not my plan, to have them, so tired, to be unable to learn in their classes. Do not coddle them, but do not wear them out. Do you think we will be able to accomplish the objective as the goal for the unit?" Hardcore nursed a smirk in her expression.

"Yes, mam, I will do my best."

"Then it will be your responsibility to see that happen," With an exaggerated smile, she said, "Thank you, mam. We need a person with your talent to guide us."

"I appreciate a First Sergeant with your perception and knowledge. I have confidence you will accomplish a great mission. We both know it takes a great Chief Master Sergeant to make progress happen. Sergeant Hardcore, let me reaffirm that I expect all personnel to run and attend MDCC classes. That includes all officers and NCOs. No one is excluded from running. However, if a person holds a Master's or a Grand Master's certificate in MDCC, I expect them to teach our students." Her gate was more pronounced. She was in NCOIC heaven. Her sneer grew broader. She beamed with excitement.

When we were out of Hardcore's hearing, Sylvia said, "You know how to butter her bread."

"She just needs a little affirmation and direction to do what she wanted to do all along. It is all in the perception. What I did was to fine tune her sense of duty."

"You'll be a good Squadron Commander, Angie."

"Thankyou, Sylvia. I want to do a good job. Additionally, I would like to see ourgirls develop into strong intelligent women." The basic trainees need toconsider there are no limits to what they can accomplish. Their leaders must begood examples. Positive internal and intriguing inspirations will be obtainedby good physical activity. It is necessary for them to trust themselves andbelieve it is possible to overcome any obstacle. Hence, upon graduation, theywill soar high and wide."