FIVE

Brit – The Promotion and the Solution

When Baxter heard Daddy speak, his face turned a deep gray and sweat drizzled from his body. Three other cadets reported to the committee that what Baxter had done was not against the rules, but the motives were not aligned with, "Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."

The chair of the inquiry asked Baxter "Do you know that Cadet Hatton-Matthews has the highest grade point average (GPA) of any cadet. He has challenge tested out of every required class at the Academy, and tutors Second and First Class Cadets so that they can remain in school.

Cadet Silverman do you realize the time you had him on guard duty kept him from assisting dozens of students in their classes. The academic professors recommend him for graduation this year. The coaches claim he excels in all the competitive sports. Finally, the military instructors say he has the capacity to assume command responsibilities.

Cadet Silverman would you leave the room for a few minutes and we will call you back." There were suggestions and apologies from the committee. My Daddy and uncles gave their input. The committee looked at me, and the headman ask me, "What would you recommend we do with Baxter?"

"Sir, I understand Baxter, because when I was thirteen, I was Baxter. Jealousy, bitterness, envy and lashing out was my way of living. Then a loving family adopted me. My new family taught me to be a better man, and not to hold grudges.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have good role models. I have several. Baxter is smart and dedicated to the Air Force. He got a little off tract. Don't punish him by expelling him from the service. He needs someone to influence him like Daddy did me. Thank you for listening."

"Would you wait in the hall with Baxter? We need to make a couple of telephone calls and formulate a few decisions. We will call you back in soon."

While in the hallway, Baxter sheepishly strode toward me, and said, "I am sorry I made your life miserable. I was so jealous that I could not see I was wrong."

"It is over now. Hope we both learned something from this conflict."

When Shelly heard Baxter say something about him watching me and Barbara hugging and kissing, rage swelled within her.

Baxter and I were called back into the room. Both of us were invited to pull up a chair and be seated.

The chairman looked at me, and said, "On behalf of the Academy, I want to apologize. Half of your records went to the office for entering students, and the other half went to the professor over the research department. The coursework you have taken here and your previous work you had in Thailand qualify you to be an associate professor at the Academy with the rank of First Lieutenant. You will be teaching a beginning and advance materials engineering courses.

The leader looked at Baxter, and said, "We were going to ask you to resign from the Academy or be expelled. However, Lieutenant Matthews pleaded your case before us you were intelligent and devoted to the Air Force.

Listen carefully to our findings. You will forfeit this year and be placed on probation. During the trial period you will be reduced to the enlisted grade of Airman Second Class (E-2.) You report to Professor Matthews as an enlisted assistant with office duties and other functions required by him.

What that means is if he wants you to scrub the floor with a tooth brush, that is part of your job. The expectation is that each task will be completed cheerfully and without hesitation or resentment.

He will report any infraction or lack of cooperation. Failure from your part will require expulsion immediately. The probation period will end when the next school year begins. You will be restored to Cadet First Class with no Command responsibilities. You will also report to the anger management class weekly. There will be no report or infraction in your records if you choose the probation option.

"Yes Sir, Thank you, Sir."