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Marine: Part One
Posted By: Michael Archer<michael_archers_email_address@yahoo.com>
Date: 20 September 2005, 9:44 pm
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John Bade led a simple life. He would wake up in the morning, eat a quick breakfast, realize that he was late and rush to work. But a couple months ago, his company had closed down and he had been left without a job. He figured he had a year before they kicked him out of his cozy little apartment building in Manhattan. John switched off the news. All the news said was that some "Spartan", went missing in action. Why do they say they're missing, he thought. Just say they croaked for god sake.
John didn't think that much of war. If he was drafted, he would go. He wouldn't defy the American laws. Good thing they weren't drafting for this Covenant war. But he thought lots about being a Marine and doing all their drills with a staff sergeant yelling at you. He'd be roughing it, but it wasn't fun sitting at home all day. He only went out to get food and avoided using his car.
Finally John decided. He was going to live up to his dream. The Marine Corps would be fun and he'll get a bit of cash for it. It was perfect until he found another job.
John sat in the little chair waiting for the recruiter to show up. He never really expected to go into war. He just needed some action to lighten up his day. The office was pretty cool. There were lots of medals, insignias and posters. He was about to touch one when the recruiter came in.
"Hi", John said.
"Hi, what's your name?", said the recruiter.
"John Bade".
The recruiter rolled with his chair to a silver file cabinet, opened the top drawer, looked around for a couple of seconds. He took out a piece of paper and took it back to the desk. He took out another sheet of paper, scribbled some words onto it, and handed John the paper. "Take this paper to New York Harbor tomorrow", said the Marine. "You're going to take a ferry boat to New Jersey and then you're going to take a twenty-five hour train ride to Charleston Illinois, where you'll begin your training. You may leave".
"Wait. That's all?".
"You registered with you Marines in 2538. It's mandatory for every US citizen to register when you're eighteen".
"Ok. Thanks." John quickly accepted the paper and dashed out the door.
This is great, thought John. I'll learn how to shoot a gun, what to do during combat and just have fun.
The next day, John grabbed a bag and stuffed it with personal belongings and his pajamas. He didn't bother packing clothes. He would be wearing a uniform all day.
He went to the boiling subway station and caught a train to New York harbor. There was a huge crowd near a large ferry that said United States Marines Corpson the side. John slowly walked near the ferry. He looked around for a while until he found the entrance. There was a Marine Sergeant Major standing there in a frilly uniform. John slowly walked up to him.
"Excuse me, sir.", John spoke. "Is this where I go to New Jersey?".
"Can I see your Marine permit?"
John handed him the paper that the recruiter gave him.
"Ok, go on in. You're a Marine now, soldier. You won't be calling me "sir" anymore". The Sergeant saluted.
John quickly put his hand to his head and dashed on board.
The ferry was big, but could use a bit of work inside. Well, I'll only be going to New Jersey, John thought. He found a seat on top and sat down. He pulled is light jacket to avoid the crisp fall winds. Sitting beside him was a red haired man who looked nervous.
"So, quite a war is going on.", John broke the silence.
"Oh yeah", said the man. "Lots of Marines are being killed every day. The majority of the military is there. But I don't expect to be sent in. They have millions of Marines there. I'm going into the Marines, because I need to get in shape and do all the Marine drills. Of course, I'll retire as soon as I can. Why did you join?".
"I joined because I need a bit of extra money because my company shut down and I want to do something while thinking about what I should do for a job. I heard that the Marines Corps is very tough to go through, that's why I going. Hi, I'm John", John reached out his hand.
"Simon", Simon shook John's hand.
The sound of a horn echoed through the harbor and the ferry started moving. New Jersey wasn't very far away. They could have easily taken a bus. People were still crowding on the ferry docks. There were easily more Marines.
It was about a ten minute ride to New Jersey. John and Simon talked the whole way there. The ferry sounded the horn again for the arrival into New Jersey.
"Simon", said John. "I'm in car five. What car are you in?"
"How can I tell?", replied Simon.
"Check your ticket. Here, I'll show you. Right…….there. Car five! We're in the same car! I think on the train we'll find out what platoon we're in.
"Actually, there are ten cars. I read that if there are ten platoons. So if there are ten cars, that means we'll be in the same platoon. We'll meet the other Marines in our platoon on the car".
"Well, let's get on the train".
The inside of the train was very nice. John looked in every room. In each room there were two cotton chairs facing each other. John looked at his train ticket to figure out which room was his. B 26. John found B 26 and put his suitcase in it. He walked into the small room and shut the door. The door had a window on it, but thankfully John had a curtain. He reclined the chair and kicked off his shoes. Better rest while I have the chance.
Dinner was great. John noticed that all the seats were booths near the window. He saw the whole world zoom by. One day, I'm going to go across the whole Amtrak
John looked down the aisle. His head almost got hit by a running Simon. Simon quickly turned and sat down.
"Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time".
Simon booted up the electronic menu and looked over it quickly.
"Wow. Everything looks so good here. I guess I'm getting a Bloody Mary and a Chicago stake". Simon punched in his order. John ordered a rack of ribs and a beer.
"Think about this", said Simon. "This is our last meal before we become Earth's sworn protectors. We'll eat Meals ready to eat and learn what to do in times of battle".
"Simon", replied John. "We're just going to the Marine Corps. There are millions of platoons. Odds are against us of being chosen for the Covenant war".
"I read that the Army and the Air Force aren't included. We would be able to turn the tide of war if they came".
A rack of ribs and a steak were set down onto the table. Simon drank some of his Bloody Mary and took a huge bite. John lifted up a rib to his mouth and chewed.
That night, John bent both backrests of the chairs to make a bed. As he climbed into the blankets, thoughts raced his mind. What if I do get selected for the war? What if I get shot? John shook off these thoughts and went to sleep.
The next morning, John met Simon and they ate a quick breakfast. John looked out the window. He could see the train approaching Charleston. He quickly grabbed his stuff and got out of the train door. A bunch of Staff Sergeants were there to great them. They pointed towards a building. John walked inside and took a seat. Around there were people talking to each other. John saw Simon run into the room and sat down beside him.
A few minutes later, a man with a Staff Sergeant insignia walked in. He wore a green uniform and had a stern look on his face.
"Hi my name is Joseph Abner. But from now on, you'll be calling me Sergeant Abner. Ok? Well, you have to get used acknowledging me. Does 'Yes Sergeant' ring a bell?
"YES SERGEANT!", came the scream from the PFC's in the room.
"Good! Very good! Alright, during your stay here, you'll learn everything a young Private First Class should know. Yep, that's right. When you join the Marine Corps, you automatically start as a PFC! That's what separates us from the Army. Ok, well that's enough. You'll be seeing me every day so I don't want you to hate me right now!".
A couple of laughs came from the crowd.
"Ok! Follow Sergeant Jack to the barber Marines!".
After getting his head shaved, John quickly slipped his hat on. He looked kind of weird without his hair. After his hair was cut, a quiet bugle noise could be heard. John looked in the direction it was being played.
"That's taps Marines", said Sergeant Abner. "Time to go to sleep. Soldiers need to get up early to get lots of training".
John looked at Simon. Simon smiled. "Dibs on the top bunk".
John climbed into the bottom bunk while Simon double-timed it up onto the top.
Tomorrow is going to be a bit different.
John's sleep suddenly startled by the sound of reveille. Simon suddenly got up above John and bumped his head.
"Jesus Christ! Stupid bugle player! I want to put a clog in his trumpet.
"Get up Marines!", yelled Sergeant Abner. "Come on lets move!. Come on! Get to the bathroom! Brush with a circular motion! Come on Private Bade! Get up!".
John quickly stumbled with his uniform and went to go brush his teeth. While he was brushing he smiled.
This is exactly what I need.
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