Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: JAG and characters do not belong to me. I don't make any
money from this.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Harm/Mac Drama/Humor
Summary: Harm has the opportunity to trade places in more ways than
one.
PART 5 The entire base was buzzing with activity due to the war games exercise. The Red team was made up of Alpha and Bravo companies while the blue team was made up of Charlie and Delta companies. Weeks of intense training and preparation cumulated in today's exercise. The Marines were pumped up and ready. Each of the two teams had come up with slogans that were posted everywhere and were to be printed on their t-shirts.
As the Red team made their appearance, they would more precisely be described as the 'Pink team'. Their t-shirts were a hot pink with the slogan, 'MAKE LOVE NOT WAR' printed across the back of each shirt. The Blue team was more of a purplish-blue with the words, I'D RATHER BE SHOPPING' printed boldly across the backs of the shirts. On the front of all the shirts was printed 'MARINE, My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment'.
Mac's face blanched as she stood on the podium next to the base commander; "You are going to be killed Rabb."
Colonel Hiram Rester cringed as he observed his men jogging in formation towards the field of battle. "Where in the hell did those shirts come from!" He whispered hoarsely to his second in command. The camera crew was busily recording the day's events, and the anchor reporter approached the Colonel, "This attire appears to be a unique approach to the war games would you please comment?"
"It is based on_ah_ psychological theory." The Colonel stuttered.
"I see." The attractive female reporter nodded in understanding, "Your men and women must be ready to face anything this war throws at them whether it is fired from a weapon or the ridicule of public or world wide opinion."
"Exactly! Marines are more than just a uniform. They are the men and women wearing the uniform. They internalize the beliefs, traditions and skills that have helped keep our nation safe." The Colonel concluded while the cameraman made a sweep of the American flag waving majestically over the base. The soft sounds of the Marine Corp hymn was heard in the background as the pink and purple-attired Marines began their exercise.
Admiral Chegwidden sat in his office and snickered as he watched the end of the news report from Camp LeJeune. He picked up his phone and dialed, "General Rice of the joint chiefs of staff please... General Rice, your guys looked very outstanding! Is this the new spring look?" The former Seal did not attempt to hide the satisfaction of teasing his old Marine force recon buddy from Vietnam.
Mac caught up with Gunny Galindez at the end of the day. "Which team were you with Gunny?"
"Oh, my group would rather be shopping Ma'am, but we won the war games before we planned to go to the mall." He added dryly. "I really don't need to know the answer to this, but did Commander Rabb have anything to do with this?"
"That would be on a need to know basis." Mac added with a smirk before becoming somber. "Gunny, the Commander was concerned about a Corporal Pyle. He believes some of the marines may throw him a blanket party. Have you heard anything?"
"No ma'am, but I'll keep my ears and eyes open."
Meanwhile back at administration...
Harm AKA Captain Nelson stood at attention in Colonel Rester's office while the man chewed his six for the T-shirt order. 'Colonels, Admirals, Secretary of the Navy, they all liked to yell.' He thought as the man ranted about stripping him of rank and having him assigned to waste control for the rest of his days.
The reprimand was interrupted by a call from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Expecting an admonishment, Rester answered as he glared angrily at Harm. "Colonel Rester here. Sir I would like to..."
The speaker cut him off on the other end, "Colonel Rester that was a brilliant strategy. We have received numerous positive calls from the public because of this media stunt of yours. The President called me personally and applauded the appropriate use of humor to help relieve the stress of the military and the country. Good job."
"Thank you Sir." Colonel Rester sat down in his chair with an odd smile on his face clearly stunned by the phone call. He looked up at the officer in front of him with a softer tone, "Captain, you are dismissed. In the future please clear all changes with me." Harm suppressed a smile as he exited the office and whistled Anchors Away.
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