June 20,2008, Bakersfield, CA
"Hello there, my name is Alexander Ichijou, I am 18 years old and recently graduated from high school. Last week, I went to a recruitment office and decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, a life goal. Today is the day where I finally leave for basic training down in the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot down in San Diego. I've heard a lot of scary things about that place about how the drill sergeants are, but I know that they just do that to get us physically and mentally prepared for what we are about to enter. I am ready for this. I'm going to say goodbye to my parents, friends, and little brother who's a couple years younger than me."
"Afterwards it's off to basic. Wish me luck and I'll see you all again in 3 months."
3 Months Later
September 27, 2008, MCRD, San Diego, CA
"Oh my god" I say as I sit down in the grass and sigh in relief. "It's finally over" I had finally completed my 3 months of basic training and am now an official member of the greatest fighting force in the world. I am no longer a civilian, my life will now be both physically and mentally different for a long time. I am now Private First Class Alexander Ichijou of the United States Marine Corps. I get distracted in my thoughts until my family walks over to me.
"Get up Alex, you don't want to ruin your uniform." I look up to see my father and quickly stand up. My mom and brother run up and hug me tightly to congratulate me, the amount of oxygen in my body starts to go short. "Mom.. Daisuke.." I say wearily "Can't breath.." They quickly let go of me and Daisuke, my younger brother, laughs. "Sorry man but it's been so long, how did you even survive that place anyway?" I sigh "That's something even I don't know the answer too."
It wasn't long until I had to say goodbye to my family since I still had to do training for where I would do as a career in the Marines. I quickly decided to go into infantry and will start training next week, but for now I get a two week leave so I can go back home and get some rest.
Name: Alexander Ichijou
Age: 18
Branch: USMC
Rank: Private First Class (E-2)
Division: N/A
Awards: National Defense Service Medal
And there you have the first chapter, Chapter 2 is coming soon
YOU ARE READING
Sacrifices: An Iraq War Story
Historical FictionAlexander Ichijou is a young man from California (of Japanese decent), in 2008, after graduating from high school, Alex enlisted in the United States Marine Corps only to be sent out to Iraq a few months later. While there, he meets a young man name...
