Reincarnated as Nikolai II

The Russian army has a long tradition.

That tradition is everyone taking leave before discharge.

During Alexander III's time, there was welfare-that-wasn't-welfare like treating the last 24 months of 6 years service as 'leave' or giving long leaves practically equivalent to discharge to soldiers who fought in wars with the Ottoman Empire.

The moment they leave for this leave, soldiers effectively never return to their units.

Though such traditions have decreased now that service time is reduced to 3 years, like any military, soldiers become half-civilians before discharge.

"Yuri."

"Ah, Company Commander."

Here Yuri Toka was also one of those commonly slack final-year soldiers.

Just another young man going home anyway, more worried about what to do and how to make a living after getting out than military life.

"How long until discharge?"

"About two months."

"Do you have work after getting out?"

"Well, it's obvious. First get married, then go to the city to make money."

Common rural family scene since the 1860s after serfdom abolition.

Since land each household could cultivate was limited within the mir, usually grown children went to cities to make money rather than help farming.

They either diligently send their hard-earned money back to their families in the countryside, helping support aging parents and younger siblings, or, if they manage to achieve a somewhat more stable financial position, begin laying the groundwork to establish permanent roots in the city - searching for long-term housing and building local connections.

This gradual yet transformative process of urbanization, where cities steadily absorb waves of young people seeking better opportunities, had continued relentlessly for over half a century, reshaping both urban landscapes and rural communities with each passing generation of migrants.

However, this pattern didn't change even after mir dismantling.

While before surplus labor had to leave for cities because there was no work in the countryside, now it was because cities desperately needed labor.

"Hmm, your home isn't far from here?"

"About two days walking distance."

"Just around the corner then."

After stroking his beard while looking at Yuri Toka for a moment, the Company Commander spoke as if making a decision.

"How about becoming an NCO?"

"...I'm already doing the work though?"

After all, isn't NCO - that is, common artillery sergeant - something short-term sergeants or corporals do?

The 76mm Division Gun M1902, the empire's main gun, needs about ten people - carriers preparing 28 rounds for turret fire, gunners lined up holding one round each in both hands to load and fire, and the artillery sergeant directing.

And Yuri was already practically an NCO perfectly performing artillery sergeant duties.

But the Company Commander shook his head and continued explaining.

"The law changed. Maybe not now but from next year or the year after, soldiers won't be able to be artillery sergeants."

"I'll be discharged and gone by then though."

"That's why I'm saying you should stay and try it."

Make someone who's just polished that artillery for three years do more? Ugh, Yuri already felt his limbs shriveling.

"I won't be a sergeant. Isn't it just like serving again as a soldier?"

"You still don't understand. If you become a long-term NCO, minimum 10 years employment guaranteed. Pension when you reach Master Sergeant. Salary... roughly similar to mine when you make Sergeant First Class."

"What? How is that..."

Though he'd seen quite a few officers delighted about recent military pay raises, they'd give Sergeant First Class the same salary as current Company Commander?

Above all, 10 years guaranteed employment. The possibility of extension after making Sergeant First Class couldn't help but be attractive.

"I'm telling you first but later if other sergeants apply too... competition might get pretty intense."

"I'll do it! I want to do it!"

That employment guarantee moved Sergeant Yuri's heart more than an uncertain life in a city with no connections.

"Okay, you're applying? Here's the NCO application forms. You learned to read in the army right?"

"I did."

There was personal information and papers about serving loyally in the military, and several other contents, but even those Yuri who hadn't learned to read long ago barely read through pointing with his finger.

'Well, seems about right?'

The Company Commander stood rigid in the doorway, his weathered hands planted firmly on his hips. His eyes narrowed as they swept across the scattered papers, a deepening frown etching itself across his face as he attempted to digest the mountain of information before him. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across his furrowed brow, highlighting his growing frustration.

Sergeant Yuri Toka signed his name several times on content roughly matching the explanation.

"Whew, finally filled the last spot. Alright then, pack your things."

"Huh? Where are we going?"

"School."

The Company Commander who'd been looking at Yuri kindly until just now grinned then said seriously.

"You're a cadet from today."

"Cadet? M-me?"

"Yes, Cadet Yuri Toka. Prepare to enter Artillery NCO School."

Though NCO conditions aren't bad, it's not entirely easy since they recruit from soldiers. Experience exclusive tales on empire

They need to know how to work, read and write, and be well followed by soldiers.

Naturally they must be healthy, absolutely can't be only children, and it's usually not easy to persuade eldest sons who'll inherit countryside farming.

Above all NCO school? Minimum 1 year. 2 years if taking a bit more education.

Only a minority of soldiers could pass all these processes and conditions.

Yuri Toka who unknowingly entered military school.

"Then see you next year."

The Company Commander left with a hearty laugh.

Others approached from far away and took Yuri Toka away.

Sergeant Yuri Toka, two months from discharge, would now be reborn as NCO Yuri Toka.

==

When thinking of the Russian Imperial Army in World War 1, perhaps the common image that comes to mind is the Battle of Tannenberg disaster that struck the decisive blow to empire's fall.

Food shortage, ammunition shortage, divided command, slow messenger communications and wireless communications fully exposed to enemies, virtually nonexistent tactics and strategy, sluggish maneuvers.

Indeed after gauging Russian army levels through several battles, German infantry staff officer Max Hoffmann even produced a rifle operation plan - that is, a plan for one German infantry division armed with rifles to stop one Russian corps.