'Didn't think we'd be starting with this wooden shield... Alright, this one's my oldest friend, which might surprise people who think it's just a chopping board, haha. But it's the gear I got back in boot camp. 'I still remember my old drill instructor. He was really fierce, not like other Columbians. He always chewed me out for going 'offense offense offense' when trying to break through enemy lines. He told me there's no shortage of killers on the front lines of battle. Probably the least surprising type to run into. 'But what's really worth counting on in the chaos is the sort of person who can get everyone else feeling like they'd live a few days longer with that person in front. 'At the time, I never would've thought the first real combat in my life was just around the corner. It was a feint attack, but thanks to the enemy artillery, we suffered heavier losses than expected. 'This shield... I actually picked it up from a fallen comrade. Out of the entire rearguard, I was the only one left... You can tell how desperate the fighting was by how damaged it is. 'After the war, I got given a commendation in the form of THIS shield with Columbia's coat of arms etched on it. Its materials and make are a lot better than the ones we had during the war. Shame it never got to see combat. 'You know what happened next. It was my first time being an instructor. I might have mocked Hank and the rest all the time, saying if they couldn't even get past me, they'd just be cannon fodder the moment they put boots on the ground. But in my heart, I knew they were the finest of soldiers, my very first point of pride. So when I got the order to send them on a suicide mission, I wanted nothing more than to use this shield to beat the shit out of the old bastard who gave the order. 'Then we get to today... Here, on my Rhodes Island-retrofitted one. This scratch is from Fang, this dent is from Beagle, these arrow marks are thanks to Kroos... And now look at you all—more mature, taller, and even better in battle to boot. Really warms my heart, y'know... Feels like a good time to reminisce. '...*sigh* Honestly, what I'm doing now isn't too different from what I used to do. Just letting them know about all the hard knocks I've lived through, in my own way. But this doesn't mean they're taking a shortcut, because there's plenty of setbacks waiting for them out there, and how they handle them is something no one else can teach. 'All I can do is stress again and again that killing is never the goal. It's only to be used to protect more people. Victory can only be enjoyed by the living, after all. 'Alright, that's everything for my report. Oh, right, those retrofit plans I submitted earlier, still not approved? 'Impractical'? What do you mean, 'impractical'?! All I'm asking for is a little snack-holder on the inside so I can show my appreciation to the kids after training! It's how I teach, c'mon, be a little flexible, please, I'm begging you!' —From a recording of Dur-nar's promotion report