My Soldier

Part 1 Basic Training

Dec always wanted to join the military this scared his best friend Ant he didn't know how he could survive without him by his side. They met at Byker Grove when they were young although they weren't best friends right away they were now and that's all that matters. The boys were originally going to go onto a music career since they couldn't do Byker anymore but Dec had other ideas, to join the marines. They now stood outside by the large busses with other new soldiers Declan would be getting on the bus any minute but for now he was surrounded by crying families "I'm going to miss you so much Decky" his Mam said not wanting to let go of her "little boy".The recruiter continued to call peoples last names out as soon as he called their last names they were to finish their goodbyes and get on the bus. As soon as his Mam let go he faced his best friend who immediately pulled him into a tight embrace, tears began to fall from both of the boys faces Ant didn't want to upset the older boy so he decided not to say anything soppy "Donnelly" the recruiter called Dec left the embrace and gave his family and friend a small smile then walked off to the bus he turned around one last time and gave them a wave. When the bus finally began to pull away families all waved and cried Dec tried not to look out the window because he knew that he would become more emotional.
*Dec's POV*
When I arrived at the training centre I was shaking in fear no one spoke no one moved, we had a taste of what would happen. The bus doors flew open and a Sargent hopped on the bus screaming "Get up! Get up!" We all frantically stood up "Alright grabyourbandmakealine!" He spoke fast and very loud we all ran off the bus and lined up in facing the bus we were standing up straight with our hands at our sides and our bags at our feet. "What are you smirking at boy?" The Sargent said to the kid next to me "Nothing sir" "Did I tell you to look me in the eye?!" "No sir" "Then why did you look me in the eye? Are you stupid or something?" The guy next to me doesn't answer the question he was unsure whether to say if he was stupid or not. "Well!? Answer me!" "I don't know sir" "You don't know because you're stupid" I shiver hearing the conversation. He comes over to me and I stare straight ahead avoiding eye contact "You scared boy? You scared pussy boy?" I try not to let his words effect me, my Mam told me this would happen because their goal is to tear you down to build you back up into what they want you to be. "No sir I'm not scared" I reply "You sure pussy boy? You were shaking" "Positive sir" he nods and walks away I was actually terrified. They next took us into a room were we were going to be getting our hair cut off, I'm sure I won't look good bald.

"Put it in the bag! Take it out! Now put that shit back in the bin!" This was where they tested to see how we would act under lots of pressure. There was certain things we could and couldn't bring into basic training so they went through all of our bags. A lot of people had to get rid of stuff that was not allowed in I didn't have to get rid of anything because I did my research before I got here I wanted to avoid getting yelled at as much as possible. The sergeants kept fucking with us by telling us to put things in our bags then telling us to tie them then having us take things out again or flat out telling us to throw it away. It was very stressful so stressful I saw a guy unable to tie a knot because he was shaking so much. "Alright now you guys need to make your last calls home! Go line up at the telephones and call home there is no time for conversation there is a paper next to the phone that says what you should say do not say anything that is not written on the paper. If no one answers call someone it doesn't matter who" I was the first one in line for the phone, there was 10 phones on the wall I pick it up and dial my mams number and she picks up I take a deep breath and repeat what I was told "Hello this your son I have arrived safely at Lincolnshire basic training,Please do not send any food or bulky items.I will contact you in 7 to 10 days via postcard with my new mailing address.Thank you for your support.Goodbye for now." (That's actually what they get to say not even a I love you) I put the phone down before my Mam could say anything else I started to wish I could have used my last phone call on Ant. I step away from the phone letting the next person in I miss everyone already.

After everyone made there calls we were brought into a giant gym they had us get changed into black shorts with a grey top that said 'Royal Marines' on them. There was a man in front of us this time it wasn't a drill Sargent "Ok were getting right into physical training, each day you're going to have many classes this is one of them. In here were obviously going to be doing physical things like push ups, weights, sit-ups and running. First everyone on the ground for push-ups" we do what were instructed no one whined or complained, this was were the drill sergeants came in and I knew they were going to try and make us break. "Go! go! go! Lower! Lower!" They all yelled they began to get in people's faces and yell "Lower!" I heard one yell he was on his knees in the boys face two people down from me. "I c-can't" he says struggling "yes you can!" "No" he falls on the ground giving up "get up! Lazy bastard! Get up!" A girl got down with the other drill Sargent yelling for him to get up the guy began to cry this is what they wanted. I was in very good shape because Ant helped to make sure I was.

*Flashback*
"Come on Dec 20 more" Ant encouraged me. He was kneeling on my trainers as I did my sit-ups "I can't it's so hard" I groan struggling to get another sit-up in. "Yes you can 17 more" I manage to get 3 more in and collapse. "I'll give you someone each time you do a sit-up" he states. I raise my eyebrows in confusion then decide to just go with it I do another sit up and he presses his lips to mine. I feel myself blush and I continue to finish my push-ups, each time I came up he kissed me I didn't say anything about it I just let it happen. Who was I to complain? "Nice job Dec you did 100 sit-ups" Ant says sitting down on the floor I roll over on my belly and prop myself up with my arms. "Thanks for helping me" "Oh no problem Decs I just want you to do well in basic"

I was brought back to reality by the yelling of drill sergeants around me. It was honestly pretty terrifying when they were yelling at the same time, you could barely make out a word they were saying suddenly the lights went out and there was shooting of guns I tried not to do the natural thing I would do in this situation and go into the fetal position and cry instead I run for a wall and lay down as if I were already dead. What are they trying to do to us?