Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

Leaving for basic training

Kelsey

The past week with Martin has been fantastic, but it was ending. I was leaving for basic today. I packed a bag and toiletries. Martin helped me as my parents waited for us downstairs.

"I think that's everything," I said as Martin nodded.

Martin picked up my bags and carried them downstairs as I followed him. He took my suitcases to the car as I stopped and looked at my parents.

"Be safe," Dad told me.

"Always," I assured him.

Mom tried not to cry, but it wasn't working as she pulled me into a hug. "We're going to miss you."

I hugged her. "I'm going to miss you too," I told her as I hugged her. I let go of her as I hugged Dad.

"Call us when you finish," Dad said.

"I will," I assured him as I let go and walked to the car. I looked back as my parents waved at me. I waved back as we got into the car.

Martin drives me to the airport so that I could catch a flight. Once I checked in, I turned to face him.

"I'm going to miss you," Martin said.

"I'll miss you too, but I will be back and then we will leave together," I told him as he nodded.

He pulled me to him and kissed me. "I love you, Kelsey."

"I love you too, Martin," I said as he released me. I handed the flight attendant my plane ticket and then boarded the plane. I walked onto the plane and took my seat. In eight weeks, I would see my family again. During basic, I was only allowed letters to home. I was flying to Georgia to check in at Fort Benin's where training is.

It took two hours to arrive, and when I got off the plane, I grabbed my bags and made my way to the base. I checked in and handed the Staff Sargent my papers. He led me to another area where I would be assigned clothes, the barrack I'd sleep in, and the barber.

I sat in the barber chair and had the guy cut my hair short. I didn't want to mess with my hair while in basic. He cut it to my chin, which was excellent. When the barber finished, I grabbed my clothes and made my way to the barrack. I was living with other women and found a bed. I changed my clothes and made my bed as I put my items in my footlocker where they would remain during my time here.

As other women filed in and changed, I waited, then we heard someone announced, "Attention!" We all went to the end of the beds and stood straight and tall.

Another man entered along with a woman. "I'm Drill Sargent Forbes, and this is Drill Sargent Mackey. For the next eight weeks, you belong to the US Army. You will rise at four-thirty am physical training, breakfast, boot camp, lunch, field activities, dinner, and patrol. As of now, we own your asses. You will address us as Drill Sargent Forbes and Mackey along with sir and ma'am. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir, Drill Sargent Forbes!" We all announced.

"Suit up! You are going for a five-mile run!" Staff Sargent Forbes announced as we grabbed our gear and left the barrack.

We ran with full gear for five miles. I kept a steady pace as I ran. The Drill Sargent started singing cadence as we sang along. When we finished, we made our way back to the barracks. I dropped my stuff and fell onto my bed. I think I'm going to die.

********
Each day we ran five miles and did obstacle courses as Drill Sargent Forbes zeroed in on me.

"Recruit Hayes, you better pick it up! The army doesn't want a lazy ass person!" He yelled at me.

I worked harder as he yelled at me. I felt like giving up, but a letter Martin sent me told me not to give up that I could do this. I wasn't so sure.

Drill Sargent Forbes rode me during boot camp.

"Are you going to give up, Recruit Hayes?" He yelled at me.

"No, Drill Sargent Forbes!" I yelled back as I did a chin up.

"I think you are!" He yelled.

"No! I'm not a quitter Drill Sargent Forbes!" I grunted as I kept pulling myself up.

"We shall see! Now drop and give me fifty!" He yelled as I let go of the bar and got down on the ground and did fifty pushups. I thought my arms were going to fall off of me.

Each day I got the privilege of Drill Sargent Forbes yelling at me as I continued. I reminded myself of what Martin said to me in his letter. I wasn't a quitter. I pushed forward as I got stronger and faster.

The army taught us how to field strip a gun and put it back together. Speed was the key. We had to be quick, and they timed you. If you didn't complete it in the allotted time, you had to run five miles. I refused to quit.

I didn't think I would survive boot camp, the weeks went by, and eight weeks later it was over. We were graduating, and our families could come and see us. My parents and Martin came to see me graduate.

My family sat in the audience and watched as Drill Sargent Forbes called each name, then said, "Private Kelsey Hayes." As I stood up and walked up to the stage, I walked over and saluted him as he saluted me back, handing my ribbon to me. My parents and Martin cheered as I stepped off the stage.

Once all the cadets announced, Drill Sargent Forbes said, "Attention!" We all stood as he saluted us, and we saluted him back. "Dismissed!"

I shook hands with my fellow recruits, congratulating them as I made my way to my family. I hugged my parents, then hugged Martin, who pulled me into a kiss. He pulled back and smiled at me.

"I'm proud of you, Kelsey. I know you wanted to give up," Martin told me.

"But your letters kept me going," I reminded him as he smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He hugged me tightly.

Now it was time to find out what my assignment is. I had to meet with my commanding officer to be assigned a post. If I stayed in the states, Martin and I could be together in military housing. If the army deploys me overseas, he would have to find another residence until I returned.

He maintained classes online so that he could be with me. It worked for us.