Chapter 434: Elite Training Camp Graduation (1)
Marine Headquarters.
This day marked an important milestone since the establishment of the Elite Training Camp.
It was the day of the first batch of students' collective graduation.
Even Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Dragon, who had graduated early, were specially summoned back to participate in this important event.
The Elite Training Camp had a three-year system.
Due to the limited funds of the Marines and the large number of students in the Training Camp, studying for three years at the Elite Training Camp was almost the limit.
The remaining path was one they had to walk themselves; these three years were enough to lay a certain foundation for them.
What's more, countless people in the Navy School wanted to enter the Elite Training Camp.
As Zephyr's disciple, this was a highly sought-after position.
This was the first graduation ceremony since the establishment of the Elite Training Camp, and many Marine High Command members would come to watch.
Although three monsters were born, the true results would still depend on the quality of the graduating students.
Monsters were monsters; they would eventually grow up even without the Training Camp.
As for the other students, they were the mid-to-high tier combat power of the Marines' future.
Navy School, the exclusive Training Ground of the Elite Training Camp.
Three hundred students stood in a square formation, maintaining military posture and looking forward.
After three years of study, these students had undergone astonishing transformations in all aspects.
The most significant point was confidence.
As outstanding individuals among many students, as geniuses, as disciples of Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr, they had this confidence.
These were the first batch of students from the Elite Training Camp.
Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Dragon, who had already graduated, had all returned.
Wearing their cloaks of justice, they stood at the very front of the formation as role models.
Around them were students from the second and third batches, as well as students under other instructors.
Looking at the spirited three hundred people on the Training Ground, the eyes of the other students held only envy, wanting to become one of them.
They secretly resolved to make an effort and fight their way into the Elite Training Camp.
Standing on the platform, Zephyr, with his resolute face, looked at his students with great satisfaction.
Especially Sakazuki and the other two, they had already been recognized as the future of the Marines, and were even regarded as the Future Three Navy Admirals.
Their distinct styles could perfectly become the leaders of the three major factions.
Sakazuki of the Hawk Faction, Borsalino of the Neutral Faction, and Dragon of the Dove Faction.
Sakazuki and Borsalino, for example, had already received investment from the Hawk Faction and Neutral Faction respectively.
In just over a year since graduation, they had already jumped to the military rank of Marine Commodore.
It wouldn't take long until they reached Rear Admiral.
As for Dragon, although he hadn't interacted with people from the Dove Faction and was independent, as Garp's son, others had long considered him a member of the Dove Faction.
Relying on his powerful strength, he had become a Marine Rear Admiral.
Headquarters had long wanted to promote Dragon to Marine Vice Admiral, but Dragon refused the promotion, citing insufficient merit and the need for more training.
His current position was Branch Base Commander of the Red Port Navy Branch, located below the Red Line, very close to Mary Geoise.
Naturally, he could also see more clearly what the World Government was like.
This was an exciting moment.
Students graduating from the Elite Training Camp possessed excellent records.
The outstanding ones among them could directly become field officers.
At Marine Headquarters, this military rank was generally only obtained by those with powerful combat strength or outstanding leadership talent.
Sakazuki and Borsalino, for example, became Lieutenant Colonel immediately upon graduation.
As for Dragon, he directly became a Colonel.
Those like them could become junior officers at the very least.
After all, they themselves were trained to be military officers.
Even without leadership talent, they possessed sufficient strength.
This was equivalent to crossing an unknown distance in one step, entering the attention of Headquarters, and not being buried for many years like Zephyr.
This kind of privilege was something Zephyr had strongly fought for from Headquarters.
When it was proposed, it met with opposition from many Headquarters military officers.
Ultimately, Fleet Admiral Kong made the final decision and confirmed this privilege.
However, the military rank of these students after graduation needed to be decided by the higher-ups.
Furthermore, they all needed to undergo training under other military officers, unable to immediately stand on their own, and would go through multiple assessments.
If an assessment was not passed, they would need to be demoted.
These military officers came not only to watch the award ceremony but also to invite these outstanding members to join their command and become part of their own faction.
Individuals also had factions and networks; this kind of thing was unavoidable.
Just like Sakazuki and Borsalino, they became Sengoku's adjutants immediately upon graduation, campaigning against various pirates and participating in the War against the Byrnndi Pirates.
Various departments of the Marines also needed the replenishment of fresh blood.
These were things they had to strive for themselves.
As for some outstanding cadets, they also had the option to choose for themselves, and these departments welcomed this.
However, three years brought immense pressure to the teaching staff of Headquarters, especially to Zephyr, the head instructor.
The first batch of the Elite Training Camp had three hundred students personally taught by Zephyr.
The remaining students were assigned to other instructors.
By the second year, considering the teaching pressure, the second batch of Elite Training Camp students totaled only two hundred.
Even so, this brought tremendous teaching pressure to Zephyr.
Even with eight assistant instructors hired, the huge workload was somewhat overwhelming for him.
Zephyr underestimated the effort required to teach cadets, especially since Zephyr himself was a very responsible person.
He would observe the training results and rate of progress of every single student and adjust the training methods.
Under these circumstances, in order to focus on the training results, Zephyr didn't even leave himself any time, not even time for his own training.
In this process, Zephyr's teaching methods also improved and became more refined.
By the third batch, the number of students assigned under Zephyr in the Elite Training Camp was only one hundred and fifty.
For three consecutive batches, Zephyr simultaneously had six hundred and fifty students under him.
Zephyr found it difficult to manage just the first batch of students.
With two more batches, even two of him couldn't handle it.
The number of assistant instructors increased at one point to twenty-four.
According to Headquarters' calculations, orderly management could be achieved with eighteen assistant instructors, ensuring high efficiency.
Maintaining the number of Elite Training Camp students at four hundred and fifty was considered reasonable and within Zephyr's capacity.
However, the establishment of the Elite Training Camp was also the first time, and the considerations were not entirely comprehensive.
This was understandable, and it would gradually get on the right track in the following years.
Especially after the first batch of students graduated, the teaching pressure of the Elite Training Camp would be significantly reduced.
Over these three years, Zephyr was physically and mentally exhausted, yet he lived a very fulfilling life.
Seeing these disciples who were about to graduate, his heart was filled with a sense of pride.
Kyle had already noticed a few gazes and secretly smiled.
His future had already been arranged.
Both the Dove Faction and the Neutral Faction had tried to recruit him, and even the Intelligence Department and Staff Headquarters had as well.
Ultimately, he chose the Neutral Faction.
Whether he chose the Intelligence Department or the Staff Headquarters, the World Government would ultimately step in to stop it.
However, neither the Neutral Faction nor the Dove Faction was a matter of concern for the World Government.
Military rank was military rank.
As for position, he would most likely work under a certain Vice Admiral.
This Vice Admiral should be from the Neutral Faction and also have a government background.
It had been arranged from the very beginning.
Such a record was already excellent.
Those monsters could work under an Admiral as soon as they graduated.
As for them, the outstanding individuals in the Elite Training Camp, they could undergo training under a Marine Vice Admiral.
The number of Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals was limited, not enough to go around.
The issue of where these students would go after graduation also required various discussions at Headquarters.
Even though it was the same graduation, the starting points were also different.
Some people worked under field officers.
Some people worked under Commodores, or Rear Admiral level officers.
Just the issue of arranging these three hundred people was enough to give the Headquarters higher-ups a headache.
(end of chapter)