M.A. Renninger
This inside look into military life from the eyes of a woman, provides a unique perspective.
The author is a retired Marine Corps officer. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, a master's degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University and a master's degree in School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. She currently resides in Arizona with her family.
CHAPTER 2
Military Police Company, Germany
A loud cat call whistled through the air as Rachel, feeling vulnerable and alone in a foreign country, stood looking up at the Army barracks in Kornwestheim. But this is what she had wanted - to get out of the small town where she was from and see some of the world. Several male soldiers were hanging out of the windows and one was waving frantically to get her attention. A soldier with red hair and protruding upper teeth walked up and she read his name off his uniform - Specialist Stout. He offered to carry her sea bag for her, which was almost as big as she was. “No, that’s okay, I got it,” Rachel replied as she shifted it on her shoulder. “I just need to know where I’ll be staying.”
He led her into the barracks and introduced her to the CQ. “Sergeant, this is Private Rachel Chandler.”
The CQ stepped up to the room right in front of the desk. “The bathroom is at the end of the hall.” He motioned with his head as he unlocked the barracks room door and directed SPC Stout to get some linen from Supply. Throwing her sea bag on the floor, she rubbed her shoulder and sat on the narrow bed looking around at the sparsely furnished room. The sun shone through the single window reflecting off the glassy floor and on the far side was another military bed, neatly made, and next to it, a wall locker secured with a sturdy lock.
As Stout walked in carrying some clean, white sheets and an olive-green blanket stamped Army, he followed her gaze. “Sgt Michol is required to keep a rack and wall locker in the barracks, though she lives out in town,” he explained. “These barracks are very old. They used to house Hitler’s troops.” As he spoke, several soldiers crowded at the door gawking. “Give her a chance to unpack!” he snapped.
