One Unit

‘You know what I could really go for?’ The blonde haired recruit calls out to his mop-haired
friend as Staff Sergeant Paul Higgins walk us to the training center. ‘Nandos...’ ‘Niall why would you do that to me?’ The mop-haired one replies.

‘Gentlemen!’ Staff Sergeant Higgins warns, but as if they don’t hear him they continue their discussion. ‘Company HALT!’ The entire company stops dead in their march, the two recruits fumble to find their footing as they try to straighten into attention. ‘Styles, Horan, front and center,’ the two dopey, doe-eyed recruits glance at each other before stepping out of line.

‘Sir!’ They both address the Staff Sergeant nervously.

‘You know what I could really go for?’

‘Sir, no Sir!’

‘Fifty push ups.’ The two drop to the ground and begin to count as they push their scrawny bodies up and down. I watch our Staff Sergeant scan the faces of the company under his charge as he picks two more victims who can’t seem to control their joy at this display of discipline. ‘Payne, Tomlinson…’ He gestures for the two to fall out of line, ‘You two are being promoted,’ Their eyes light up and they struggle to keep their faces straight, ‘to babysitters... You watch these two and make sure they finish their fifty push ups,’ their faces drop and I can see the disappointment and frustration beckon in their eyes.

‘Sir, yes Sir.’ They reply in military unison.

‘Once they have completed their fifty push ups they will do another fifty push ups, once they have completed that you will make sure they complete a five mile run. Am I clear maggots?’ I hear the two mop haired recruits moan both from exhaustion and displeasure and the other two older recruits process their instructions.

‘Sir, yes Sir.’ Payne and Tomlinson salute as they prepare for their instructions of leave.

‘Gentlemen after this impromptu work out is completed you will have attend your classes and are now on guard duty in the west sector, there have been a few men reporting movement. Enjoy your evening gentlemen. You are dismissed!’

‘Staff Sergeant Higgins, Sir…’ I shut my mouth as soon as it opens, instantly regretting my impulse to question my Leader. Hoping he did not hear I lower my gaze, but it is too late. Higgins turns on his heels and faces the entire company looking for me.

‘Yes?’ He replies impatiently as he continues his search. For a moment I say nothing but the surrounding officers look at me and give me away, I am left with no choice but to face up with my Staff Sergeant now.

‘Sir,’ I begin as I formally fall out of line to address my leader, ‘These men are but recruits sir, if they are on patrol I fear for the security of the west sector.’

Staff Sergeant Higgins laughs quietly, ‘Why is that Malik?’

‘I am stationed in the West Sector Sir, these men hardly know how to handle their guns and with all due respect I do not wish to be attacked tonight-’

‘Well then Malik, I will allow you to join them and oversee that you are not… attacked tonight.’

‘Thank you Sir.’ I bite my tongue as I turn on my heels and walk to where the recruits are. The last thing I wanted to do tonight was to have to patrol the west sector babysitting. I have just finished a twelve hour patrol from last night, now have to make sure these rookies do their stupid work out, attend my next two classes in weapons and aviation history and now work another damn twelve hour patrol with them and do it all again tomorrow. When will I get the chance to sleep?

Notes