Page 24 of Trapped
Kroupa wasn’t just my teammate; he was a friend.
After we returned to the office, I texted him.
Hey man, it’s been a while. Let’s grab a beer.
His reply came a few minutes later.
Sounds good. How’s SSI?
Good so far. I like being on a team again.
I won’t say I told you so, but...
Yeah yeah. I gotta run. Give the wife a hug for me.
Kroupa had moved just outside of Dallas, to be near his wife’s family after leaving the Navy, and started a dog training business. He specialized in police and search training. I’d stayed with them during my recovery, and he was the reason I was at SSI.
She’ll tell me to say hi, so hi.
I turned off my phone before heading to the SSI training center.
The SSI/Law Enforcement Training Center, also known as SLETC—pronounced as Slet-C—was located at the back end of the SSI property. The construction crews had finished the shoot house construction two weeks ago, and today we’d test it.
“I’ve set the targets,” John said once everyone arrived. “The Sierra team’s up first.”
Sierra was the original team—Jamie, Jack, AJ, and Doug. John was part of the team, but today he’d run training. The newly formed Bravo team consisted of Jaden, Maxwell, me, and the new guy, Matt, another retired SEAL, who was scheduled to start in two weeks.
Today was a combination of testing the new shoot house and working with our new teams. Despite being our first time working together, I trusted Bravo could clear the house without any issues.
“Bravo One,” John said, switching to our call signs.
“Yes, sir,” I answered. Initially, it’d surprised me when they named me team lead, but after thinking about it, it made sense; Jaden was our sniper, and Maxwell had less experience, despite being at SSI the longest.
Having led my SEAL team, I felt confident I could lead the SSI team.
“Prep your team,” John said.
“Yes, sir.”
We walked to the fifty-yard range on the other side of the tall rock and dirt berm to discuss tactics.
“You good?” Jay, Bravo Two, asked. I understood his concern, but I’d been fine since the incident in the car.
“Yes. You have any arguments against covering the door and hall?” It wasn’t an exciting job, but as a Marine Raider, he could clear a room without breaking a sweat. I didn’t have the same blind faith in Maxwell’s skills. I’d need to see her in action and evaluate before trusting her skills.
“I am.”
“Good. Bravo Three, you’ll go in first after Two breaches the door.” After Maxwell nodded, I continued, “I’ll follow and Bravo Two will hold the hall.”
“Yes, sir,” they answered in unison.
We practiced lining up and moving together, miming rifle movements with our hands, while waiting for our turn.
“Bravo Team!” John called over the berm. “You’re up.”
I fist-bumped Jay and Maxwell before following them to the house.
“How’d it go?” Jay asked as we approached the members of Sierra.
