Chapter 16: Red on Green Team
Green Team training was known for separating the wheat from the chaff even further. While BUD/S and SQT were physically and mentally grueling, Green Team delved into advanced technical and tactical skills. Those who made it through this process became the most skilled and select operators in the United States Armed Forces.
Aaron Rollins was among the candidates. He had already excelled in Seal Team Three, but here, on Green Team, he knew he was among the best. The difference? He was prepared like few others.
On the first day, the instructors introduced themselves to the candidates with a mix of professionalism and intimidation. The leader of the training team, Commander Howard, walked through the group of recruits, assessing each one with a cold, calculating gaze.
"You think you're the best because you got here, right?" he began, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Let me tell you something: just because you survived BUD/S and SQT doesn't mean you belong here. Green Team isn't about toughness, it's about perfection. Those who aren't perfect will be cut. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" everyone responded in unison.
Aaron stood his ground, but internally he was ready for the challenge.
The training began with a heavy emphasis on CQB (Confined Quarters Combat). Candidates practiced raids on simulated environments, such as houses, ships, and even replicas of airplanes.
Aaron quickly distinguished himself. His precision weapons handling, quick decision-making, and leadership skills earned him a respected figure among his peers and instructors.
One of the instructors, Lieutenant Commander Phillips, observed Aaron during a particularly challenging exercise.
"Rollins, you seem to have a natural talent for this. Why the hell aren't you leading a squad yet?"
Aaron responded with a modest smile. "I just try to do my best, sir. Every day is a new learning experience."
Phillips laughed. "Humble, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."
SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training was one of Aaron's most challenging but also most brilliant moments.
The instructors created a scenario in which the candidates were hunted by "enemies" in a forested environment. The task? Escape and evade capture for 72 hours.
Aaron, nicknamed "Red" by the instructors because of his habit of wearing something red, used his advanced navigation and survival skills to create false trails, use the terrain to his advantage, and even outwit the instructors who were chasing him.
On the morning of the third day, Commander Howard received a report from the instructor in charge of capturing Aaron.
"Sir, we can't find him. He's always two steps ahead."
When the exercise ended, Aaron emerged from the forest, exhausted but triumphant.
"Rollins," Howard said, looking at him with a mixture of exasperation and admiration. "You managed to escape for three whole days while making it look like you were playing hide-and-seek. How the hell did you do that?"
Aaron shrugged. "Planning and patience, sir. It's all about anticipating the next move."
Howard shook his head in disbelief. "You drive me crazy, Red. But I have to admit, you have talent."
As the months passed, the nickname "Red" became synonymous with excellence. The instructors often used Aaron as an example of what to do in various scenarios.
"You want to know how to break into a building? Watch Red. You want to know how to escape an enemy? Ask Red. But don't get too cocky, because he'll teach you just enough to beat you later," Phillips joked to the other recruits.
Although Aaron remained humble, he felt the weight of expectation. He knew that every move was being evaluated, every decision a chance to prove himself.
The training culminated in a simulated operation that tested all the skills learned: CQB, navigation, marksmanship, infiltration, and teamwork.
Aaron was assigned to lead a small team during the mission. He organized the team with precision, dividing responsibilities according to each person's skills.
When the exercise ended, Commander Howard gathered all the candidates together.
"Congratulations to everyone who made it this far. You are now part of a very select group. But there is one thing I want to highlight. Rollins, you led your team as if you had years of combat experience. You did it with confidence, but without arrogance. That is why I am recommending you for Red Squadron."
When Aaron officially received his assignment to Red Squadron, he couldn't help but laugh at what seemed like fate.
Joe White, who had been informed of the news, called him.
"Rollins, I heard Red is finally going to Red Squadron. Coincidence? I don't think so."
Aaron laughed. "Funny how things happen. But I'm ready, sir."
"I know you are," White said. "They need operators like you. Now, get out there and show them why you're the best."
Aaron immediately shared the news with his family. He called his parents and Catherine, who was aboard the USS Enterprise.
"So, little brother, are you now officially Red in Red Squadron?" Catherine joked.
Aaron laughed. "It seems so. Maybe I should start wearing more red, just to keep with tradition."
"I'm proud of you, Aaron," she said, a note of emotion in her voice. "You deserve it. But please be careful."
"Always, Cathy," he replied. "And I want to hear more about your intelligence missions. I bet you're doing better than I am."
The night after Green Team's completion, Aaron sat alone on the beach in Coronado. The sound of the waves soothed him as he reflected on his journey.
From Annapolis to BUD/S to SEAL Team Three and now Green Team, he had worked tirelessly to get where he was. Being assigned to Red Squadron was an honor he didn't take for granted.
He looked toward the horizon and whispered to himself, "This is just the beginning."
With that determination, Aaron prepared for the next phase of his career. As part of Red Squadron, he knew he would be called upon for the most critical and dangerous missions, but he also knew he was more than ready to take them on.
Chapter 17: The Day That Changed Everything
It was an ordinary morning in Damn Neck, Virginia, at DEVGRU headquarters. Aaron, was going about his daily routine with his Bravo team. Since his assignment to Red Squadron, he had been tirelessly dedicated to training, simulating combat scenarios, infiltrations, and rescues. Despite the intense pace, Aaron felt that his team was more united and prepared than ever.
The operators called the space where they stored their equipment "the cages." There, among uniforms, weapons, and tactical backpacks, they shared casual conversations to relieve the tension of a job that demanded constant perfection.
"Hey, Red," called one of the team's operators, referring to Aaron's nickname. "How many times do you think we'll practice air raids this month?"
Aaron chuckled briefly as he adjusted his ballistic plate. "If it's up to Command, about fifty more. They want us to do it on autopilot, even in our sleep."
Laughter spread through the team. It was a quiet morning, like any other, until a familiar figure ran into the doorway.
A Gold Squadron operator, looking alarmed, burst into the cage, his rapid breathing giving away the urgency of the situation.
"Bravo Team, now in the control room! You need to see this," he said, his voice firm but thick with tension.
Aaron and the others exchanged confused glances before dropping what they were doing and following the operator. By the time they reached the control room, the mood was heavy. Officers, analysts, and other operators were in complete silence, their eyes fixed on several large screens displaying images of New York.
Aaron entered the control room just as the second plane hit the South Tower. He stopped in place, feeling a knot form in his stomach. Flames and smoke filled the sky over Manhattan, while reporters reported on the chaos in real time.
"Oh my God…" whispered one of the operators next to Aaron.
Another operator asked, his voice thick with disbelief, "Is this an accident?"
Before anyone could answer, an analyst in the room spoke up. "This is not an accident. These are coordinated attacks. Intelligence confirms this is the work of Al Qaeda."
Aaron felt his jaw tighten. He stared at the images without blinking, taking in every detail of the devastation. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. He, who had always been in control, was now simply watching as lives were destroyed miles away. The room was silent except for the sounds of the news broadcasts.
The operators exchanged glances, aware that something monumental was happening. Aaron finally broke the silence, addressing his commander. "What do we know so far?"
The commander answered, his eyes never leaving the screens. "Two hijacked commercial airliners hit the Twin Towers. Another hit the Pentagon. There's a fourth plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. We think the target was a government structure as well. We believe this is the beginning of something bigger."
Aaron took a deep breath. He knew the world would never be the same again.
At the end of the day, Aaron found a moment to himself. He left the control room and walked outside, where the sun was beginning to set. The afternoon breeze felt heavy, almost as if nature itself was feeling the impact of the day.
He picked up his phone and called Catherine, who was still aboard the USS Enterprise.
"Cathy, are you okay?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual.
"Yes, Aaron. We're on full alert. The entire ship is on standby. I saw the news… Are you okay?"
"I am. But… you know what that means, don't you?"
On the other end of the line, Catherine was silent for a moment before answering. "It means you're going to be called. And this time, it's going to be serious."
Aaron closed his eyes, trying to find the right words. "Yes. But so are you. This will affect us in ways we can't even imagine right now."
"Just promise me you'll be careful," she pleaded, her voice shaking slightly.
"I promise," Aaron said, knowing that this promise was one he might not be able to keep completely.
That night, the DEVGRU Commander gathered all of the operators together. He stood at the front of the room, arms crossed, a grim expression on his face.
"Men, what you saw today was an act of war. Our enemy declared his intent to destroy us, and the world expects us to respond. From now on, each of you will be called upon to do something greater than any drill or simulation. This isn't just about being the best, it's about protecting our country and bringing justice to those who lost their lives today."
Aaron and the others listened intently, the gravity of the situation weighing on them.
"Brace yourselves. You know what to do."
Later, back in his cage, Aaron sat on the bench, holding a red ribbon that he used to tie to his gear. He stared at it, lost in thought.
His fellow Bravo Team members were equally silent, each processing the day in their own way.
Finally, one of the operators spoke up. "Red, do you think we're going to make it?"
Aaron looked at him and replied firmly. "It's not a question of if. It's a question of when."
And in that moment, everyone on Bravo Team knew that their lives, as well as the world, had changed forever.
Chapter 18: At the Tip of the Spear
The sun was rising over Damn Neck, but the light that flooded into Aaron's room seemed unable to dispel the darkness of the news he had to deliver to his family.
The Red Squadron briefing room had been full the night before, with the operators listening intently to their command's instructions. The mission was clear: Operation Enduring Freedom.
They would be deployed to Afghanistan, leading the initial effort to dismantle Al Qaeda and find those responsible for the September 11 attacks.
Now, Aaron had to share this decision with the people he loved most. He knew it would be a difficult conversation.
Aaron picked up the phone and called his parents' house. His mother, Elizabeth, answered with a warm but cautious voice.
"Hi, honey! How are you? We haven't heard your voice in days."
"Hi, Mom. I'm fine, but… I need to talk to you, Dad, and Cathy. It's important."
Elizabeth immediately sensed the seriousness in her son's tone. "Your father is here with me. I'll get him. And I'll call Cathy on the ship."
Minutes later, everyone was on the conference call. Catherine's voice came through with excitement mixed with concern.
"Aaron? What's going on? Mom said it was important."
Aaron took a deep breath, trying to choose his words. "My team and I have been assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom. We will be one of the first teams deployed to Afghanistan. Our mission is to locate and neutralize al-Qaeda terrorist cells and ensure that something like 9/11 never happens again."
There was silence on the other end of the line. Then, the voice of Joseph, his father, came through firmly. "You knew this was coming. But as a father, that doesn't make it any easier."
Elizabeth interrupted, her voice shaking. "Aaron, this is too dangerous. You know what they expect of you there…what they ask of men like you."
"Mom," Aaron replied, his voice calm but determined, "I was trained for this. I belong there. It's what I'm supposed to do."
Catherine, who had been silent until that moment, finally spoke. "I knew this day would come, but that doesn't mean I'm ready. Just… promise me you'll come home, Aaron."
Aaron swallowed hard. He knew promising something like that would be unreliable, but he answered with all the conviction he could muster, "I promise I'll do everything in my power to come back. But you know what this mission means. I can't fail."
Back at base, DEVGRU headquarters was in a frenzy. Operators were preparing equipment, reviewing maps, and getting the latest mission details. Aaron stood with his Bravo team in the cage, adjusting their kit.
He looked around at the group, made up of men he considered brothers. Each was focused on their task, but the weight of what lay ahead was clear.
"Bravo," Aaron said, drawing the group's attention.
They stopped and looked at him.
"This is the moment we've been training for. Everything we've done so far has led us here. Out there, the world is waiting for us to make a difference. And we will. Together."
One of the operators, known by the nickname "Bear," smiled slightly. "Red, you can't give a bad speech, can you?"
Aaron laughed. "That's why I'm the leader."
That same night, President George W. Bush appeared on national television. Aaron and his team sat in the base's common room, watching intently.
"The American people should know that we will not rest until those who perpetrated these acts of terror are brought to justice," Bush declared. "The Global War on Terror has begun. And we will win."
At the end of the speech, the room fell silent. Every man there knew that those words were not just rhetoric. To them, they were orders.
Before he left, Aaron managed to get a moment with his mother and father. Elizabeth hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, son."
"I promise, Mom," Aaron said, feeling the weight of her concern.
Joseph, with a look of pride mixed with sadness, squeezed his son's hand. "You're an officer, Aaron, and the best I've ever seen. But remember, you're human. Trust your crew. They trust you."
Aaron nodded. "Thank you, Dad. I learned from the best."
Catherine, still on the USS Enterprise, managed to call before he left.
"I wish I could be there for you, Aaron," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
"You are, Cathy. You always will be," he replied.
"I know I can't ask you to give up, but… Aaron, you're my hero. I love you."
"I love you too, Cathy. Take care of our parents, okay?"
"I will. But you… you have to come back. Promise me."
"I promise."
The morning of their departure arrived. The hangar was filled with operators wearing camouflage uniforms, the SEAL Trident shining on their chests. Aaron led his team as they boarded the transport plane.
Outside, the rising sun lit the sky, a reminder that despite the darkness of what they faced, there was still light to fight for.
As the plane took off, Aaron looked out the window, knowing that when it touched down in Afghanistan, his life and the lives of his men would never be the same again.
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