Kalistani Major History

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On Leave with William Ananto-Flores
Crown Prince Discusses his experiences in the NSP with podcasters
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 17, 5244


Crown Prince William sits down with hosts of the podcast "Kaliburg Today"

Following the completion of his first year of national service in the NSP, Crown Prince William Ananto-Flores decided to take leave. While on leave he agreed to an interview with former college friend Fred Humphries and Mira Villanueva of the "Kaliburg Today" podcast. The Crown Prince doesn't do many interviews since he has enlisted in the National Service Program, where he is conscripted as a part of the culinary services corps in the Ananto Duchy Division. Below is a transcript of the Interview.

K(aliburg) T(oday): Hello, Bill. It's nice to get to talk with you again.

W(illiam) A(nanto-Flores): Thank you. It's good to see you all again.

KT: Before we begin, how's the NSP treating you?

WA: It's going good, for sure. I'm meeting a lot of new people, making some friends, getting some discipline and all that sort of thing.

KT: And what do you do in the NSP?

WA: I am a "Conscript Culinary Generalist".

KT: That sounds like a fairly important title. Something to do with being a chef I imagine?

WA: Well, sort of. Conscript Culinary Generalist is basically the dudes you meet at the messhall who give you the food.

KT: Oh, the Servers?

WA: Yes. And, before you laugh, the servers are pretty important people in the NSP. We are personally responsible for moving more than 1600 people though our messhall in an hour, and we work three shifts a day, three hours on, two hours off, three hours on, 24 hours a day seven days a week. We are the last quality check in what we like to call "the food chain": which is the name for the process of ordering, receiving, inventorying and stocking, pulling preparation and serving, that ensures that millions of NSPers get fed three squares a day. All CCG's are responsible for inspecting food quality, temperature and safety, and we have to run a tight well disciplined ship or the whole mechanism breaks down. Plus, we get to hear everyone yelling at us about how there's no more syrup at the waffle station, or the Milk in the coolers is out, or how their bacon is not cooked how their moms used to cook it and they aren't eating any more of this slop... Constantly.

KT: You know, you're right. I thought we mechanics had a rough gig, having to move pieces all over the shop and torque out bolts and such. But you are right: I didn't even think about what an important job the guys who work in the messhall have! We used to love getting off shift and going to the chowhall and kicking back with a good plate of food.

WA: I think every job in the NSP is important somehow. This program, which is more than 2000 years old, operates as a well oiled machine, constantly improving and becoming more efficient with each passing generation, and the operations of the State, that is, the things the State DOES so the people do not have to, relies on every single member of the NSP to do their job.

KT: Have you learned anything about your future role as Emperor while in the NSP?

WA: Not so much learned as re-affirmed for me the importance of that archaic institution to the functioning of Kalistan. To think: Some countries do not have National Service. They take their best and brightest right out of school, throw them out on the street and say: "Congratulations on your completion of school. Now get a job." But they never bother to teach their young people what that even means. How do you "get a job?" What do you do when you have one? You know: Waking up on time every day on time, and doing hygiene, and straightening up your quarters, and making it to your appointed station every day ready to work, that's a skill. And other countries just expect kids, who have never been asked to do these things in any systemic way, to just automatically know how to do them. And then they are supposed to just automatically know how to manage your money on top of all that, and pay your bills and what happens if you get married? It's a mess on those other places... But here we have the NSP, and we get to learn like life skills before we have to go out and do them. I am getting so much in the NSP, just by being there. I feel ten times more disciplined and responsible than I ever did as a student, and that's because our NSP puts me in a position where I am taught how to do things and given every opportunity to not only master the skill, but fail in a way where it won't turn into some sort of catastrophe. The people who created the NSP were real forward thinking individuals.

KT: Yeah, I think when we finished up our service, we were prepared to do just about anything. We didn't have to spend time learning how to make appointments, or manage a personal budget. We got lots of practice in the NSP. I am sure these skills will help you in just about anything that you do, from working construction to being the emperor.

WA: I know in my family, the NSP was strongly supported. It really is the Institution in Kalistan which maintains the greatest degree of public support. Because everyone does it: Everyone has a stake in it. And they all know what they are learning and how it applied, becasue we are told constantly. You need this algebra to plan your budget, or whatever... you need to set your alarm because we have a team meeting before the shifts tomorrow. It's time for physical training. Get out of your racks...

KT: But at the same time, we're sure its nice to have leave and be able to return to your home for some good rest.

WA: Yeah, it's nice. Work for 11 months, take the 12th one off. Wash and repeat about 3 times. I've been back in Kaliburg for a few days, and this is really the first time I've been in my apartment since maybe September of last year, after I finished basic. I'm glad they were able to keep it up well for me. It's sort of a nice tranquil spot, and I like coming here. Maybe seeing some friends, that sort of thing. Going out to a show, whatever. This is homebase for now, and I might keep this residence, once I move up...

KT: What's your trajectory in the Messhall look like?

WA: Well, I have three more years in. I am likely going to be promoted within the next two months to Conscript Specialist, and they will move me off the line and back into the kitchen. I'd like to become a baking apprentice: I think this baker I knew, he decided to make a career of the NSP and full on enlisted, he was this awesome baker and could make dinner rolls to die for. He had a special technique: Butter folded into the bread dough; I saw him do it once, and I was like "Aw no way: that's his secret!"... EVERYONE found out when that guy was on and would rush the chowhall. I'd like to follow in that guy's foot steps and maybe even learn from him before I get out. But I am gonna learn how to make those rolls. Once I learn the techniques, I can be a baker, in my spare time, of course... When I am not, you know, sticking my pinkie out to make lackeys kiss it.

KT: So your experience in the NSP has been generally positive?

WA: It has been explicitly positive. It's been a very rewarding and educational experience. I am glad I didn't go right into government after school. There will be plenty of time for this when I finally get there.

KT: Is there anything else you'd like to say about the NSP or somethings our listeners would be interested in knowing about?

WA: Just join, and if you all are in Dulnerstaad Station for a meal, come up and say hello to me once in a while. That's where I am at currently. Maybe next year, they will send me to Sulari, but for right now, its the pride of the North Coast for me.

KT: Thank you for your time, and meanwhile, we should totally hang out while you're in town. There's a show tonight at the Lolla Theater that you might like.

WA: Totally man. I have an open calendar.

This episode of Kaliburg today will be aired on July 31, of this year.