{"sf1_id":126441,"sf2_id":"P1E7dGAm","title":"The Academy - Squad Chalenge","author":"SrA havenofimage","words":2012,"posted_at":"2010-02-16T17:37:00.000Z","tags":["Bear","Bird","Fox","Military","Raptor","Snow Leopard","Training","competition","marten"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/126441-the-academy-squad-chalenge","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/P1E7dGAm","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/b8/6a/b86aa03c-ae45-4403-bc02-e1cd61098f54","description":"#4 of The Academy","content":"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The days all seemed to blur into one big torture session.\u0026nbsp; Every morning we were woken early for PT.\u0026nbsp; We were expected to learn cadet knowledge.\u0026nbsp; I had to study every night, memorizing facts about the military and quotes from famous leaders.\u0026nbsp; If a cadet asked one of us a question and he or she got it wrong, we all suffered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Pushups were the standard punishment.\u0026nbsp; Forget a knowledge questions, pushups.\u0026nbsp; Forget to great someone, pushups.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Wear your uniform improperly, pushups.\u0026nbsp; Stand incorrectly... you guessed it, pushups.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Luckily I had learned to eat quickly, so I wasn't going hungry any more.\u0026nbsp; However, we were spending less time in the classroom, and more time exercising.\u0026nbsp; This combined with our constant state of sleep deprivation made the academy quad a living hell.\u0026nbsp; I was always tired, and every part of my body ached.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We lived for squad time.\u0026nbsp; It was the only part of the day that wasn't filled with physical exertion, yelling, or studying.\u0026nbsp; Lewis kept us in line, but he taught us well, and liked to have a good time.\u0026nbsp; Our squad was soon the best disciplined at drill and knowledge.\u0026nbsp; We had Lewis to thank for this.\u0026nbsp; His style of teaching was effective and fun.\u0026nbsp; He led us to become a coordinated team.\u0026nbsp; We still had a few power struggles to work out, mainly between me and Thomas, but our squad could take on anything.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Sooner than I thought possible, the first two weeks were drawing to an end.\u0026nbsp; It was the second Sunday of \"The Beast.\"\u0026nbsp; We had just had a particularly good day spent playing various sports grouped up with other squads.\u0026nbsp; I was wrapping up the day in my room, writing a letter to Traci.\u0026nbsp; We still weren't allowed computers or phones, but Traci and I had exchanged a couple of letters.\u0026nbsp; Seeing her writing always brightened my day.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Writing to Traci?\" Teague asked.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes.\u0026nbsp; It's nice to get a little sympathy every now and then.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I can't believe you're still into her considering the new stock.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are you talking about?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Come on, you can't tell me you haven't been checking out that fine piece of marten.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Curry?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Damn strait.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You can have her, if you can fight off the tank.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He shook his head at me and turned back to his desk.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I looked over my letter for mistakes.\u0026nbsp; Of course I had thought about Jessica, but she didn't seem like the type for me.\u0026nbsp; Sure she was attractive and smart, but she didn't have the charisma I had always found in Traci.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Lights out!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I put the letter down and walked across the room to the light switch.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You good?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Teague nodded.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I flipped the switch and walked back to my bed.\u0026nbsp; The light from the window lit the room enough to get changed.\u0026nbsp; I climbed under the sheets and lay there listening to Taps.\u0026nbsp; I fell asleep, an image of Traci in my mind.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright guys, Today is the end of the first section of BCT.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We had squad time after breakfast today for some reason and Lewis was talking to us.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I've watched you guys change from a group of scared individuals who were unsure of themselves into a strong, trusting, team.\u0026nbsp; As you know there is a squad challenge at the end of each section of training.\u0026nbsp; Today is the physical fitness challenge and I have complete confidence that you will excel.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was excited.\u0026nbsp; I had been looking forward to the squad challenge ever since we learned about it last week. \u0026nbsp;This would be a chance for us to finally test ourselves, and hopefully prove ourselves.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We marched down to the football team's practice field and I took a seat in the bleachers between Teague and Trestan.\u0026nbsp; We talked while we waited for the other squads to arrive.\u0026nbsp; Soon Cadet Reese was standing in front of us with a megaphone.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Class of 37, congratulations on surviving the first two weeks of Basic Cadet Training!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"BCT, THE BEAST!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Today is the first squad challenge.\u0026nbsp; Each squad will run the challenge course we have set up.\u0026nbsp; First platoon will go first, followed by second platoon.\u0026nbsp; Squad leaders, take control of your squads.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I followed Lewis, observing the setup as we walked past to course.\u0026nbsp; It didn't look to difficult.\u0026nbsp; We watched as first platoon started.\u0026nbsp; I notice that two of the events would need planning ahead of time.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey guys,\" I called to the squad.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They gathered around me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We need to plan the ranger pushups and order for the fireman carry ahead of time.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jessica spoke up, \"The pushups will have to be done by me, you, Simmons, and Thomas.\u0026nbsp; No offence to you Trestan, but I think your wings will get in the way.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"None taken\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright,\" I agreed, \"and the fireman, who's going to carry Thomas?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I think Simmons will have to, he's the strongest next to him.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright,\" Teague nodded accepting the compliment.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; With that taken care of, I prepared myself for the challenge.\u0026nbsp; It would be tough, but I have complete fait in the squad.\u0026nbsp; I watched as, one by one, the squads of first platoon disappeared on the run.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We moved to the starting position and prepared for the ranger pushups.\u0026nbsp; These were done in a square, each member's feet on the back of another.\u0026nbsp; The problem wasn't so much the added weight, it was coordinating the pushups so that we were always level.\u0026nbsp; Chris knew the team's limitations the best, so I delegated the task of calling cadence to him.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The whistle blew and we began.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Up!\u0026nbsp; Down!\u0026nbsp; Up!\u0026nbsp; Down!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Soon we had the pushups knocked out and we took off running.\u0026nbsp; We picked up the charge, a six foot long steel beam, and ran it to the fireman carry.\u0026nbsp; I was the last to go through.\u0026nbsp; I set down Jessica and we sprinted together through the suicide course.\u0026nbsp; Next was a low crawl.\u0026nbsp; A cadet standing there said that ten seconds would be added to our time each time someone touched one of the wires stretched across it.\u0026nbsp; I dove to the ground first, tucked my tail down, and flew to the end.\u0026nbsp; I helped pull my squad mates out as they reached me and we were on to the flutter kick with no penalties.\u0026nbsp; We dropped to the ground and began, Chris calling cadence, and the rest of us counting the repetitions.\u0026nbsp; We would be docked time if anyone's feet touched the ground.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"One two three.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"One!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"One two three.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Two!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My stomach muscles burned, my neck strained at every movement, and my legs were about to give out when we finally hit one hundred.\u0026nbsp; I leapt up and sprinted with my team to the end of the field.\u0026nbsp; A cadet took our time and told us we had a three minute break before the next event.\u0026nbsp; We sat in a circle in the shade of a large tree.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good work guys.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hoora.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We were all tired but we had finished first in our platoon and felt good about ourselves.\u0026nbsp; There was still a 5.3 mile run ahead of us, but right now, we could take on anything.\u0026nbsp; One of the time keepers walked over.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You have a minute left in your break so start getting ready.\u0026nbsp; The path is marked and you can go on my signal.\u0026nbsp; Your time will be stopped when the last member of your squad crosses the finish.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I pulled myself to my feet and took one last sip of water.\u0026nbsp; I stretched a few of my tired muscles and prepared myself.\u0026nbsp; But it was time to get the squad ready.\u0026nbsp; Somehow, I didn't know how, I had become the unofficial leader and the four of them looked to me to lead them when Lewis wasn't around.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We stick together in a line.\u0026nbsp; No one falls behind.\u0026nbsp; Trestan, you have the best pace, can you lead us?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He nodded.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Curry, you're the fastest, bring up the rear and make sure no falls back.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Can do.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We lined up at the start.\u0026nbsp; I was in front of Jessica with Teague and Chris in front of me.\u0026nbsp; I heard the whistle blow again, and we were off.\u0026nbsp; The run was probably the most enjoyable part of the whole event. \u0026nbsp;It winded its way through the more scenic parts of campus and we all were feeling pretty good until the finish.\u0026nbsp; I looked up at the trail.\u0026nbsp; It was three quarters of a mile steep uphill.\u0026nbsp; I knew we could do it though.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Come on guy!\u0026nbsp; We got this!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My legs were on fire and it felt like someone had pulled a belt around my chest.\u0026nbsp; I gritted my teeth and dug in with my claws.\u0026nbsp; My mind was telling me to quit but the end was only one switchback away.\u0026nbsp; Someone near the front let out a loud hunting growl.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"COME ON!\" Jessica shouted.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I yelled something incoherent.\u0026nbsp; In that way, encouraging each other, we crossed the finish as a team and I dropped to my back panting, dripping with sweat.\u0026nbsp; I closed my eyes and stretched my arms above my head taking deep breaths.\u0026nbsp; Someone squirted water in my mouth.\u0026nbsp; I looked up spluttering to see that it was Lewis.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Great work guys.\u0026nbsp; I don't know yet, but from what I've seen, we may be in first.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I sat up.\u0026nbsp; He extended a hand.\u0026nbsp; I grasped it and he pulled me to my feet.\u0026nbsp; Jessica was standing as was Trestan.\u0026nbsp; I walked over to Teague and gave him a hand.\u0026nbsp; Chris got up and joined us.\u0026nbsp; We were all covered in sweat, grass stains, dust, and grins.\u0026nbsp; Lewis led us to a group of senior cadets who handed us MREs.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sloppy Joe, not bad,\" Teague commented. \"What did you get?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I looked down at the gray brown package in my hands.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Chicken enchilada.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Nice.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We sat in the shade of the bleachers, eating the stale, yet fulfilling food, talking contentedly, and enjoying the afternoon sun.\u0026nbsp; It had been a hard two weeks for all of us but, this somehow mad it all seem like a far off dream.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; That afternoon, we were fitted for new uniforms.\u0026nbsp; For the next two weeks, we would be leaving the PT outfits behind, and be wearing our clean, new, ACUs.\u0026nbsp; We received tan undershirts, gray digital jackets and pants, kaki boots, and ball cap stile hats.\u0026nbsp; During squad time, Lewis showed us how the outfit went together, how to properly blouse the pants, and different regulations for wearing it.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After dinner, all the cadets gathered in one of the lecture halls.\u0026nbsp; Cadet Reese walked onto the stage to talk to us.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I would just like to congratulate you one more time on making it through the first part of BCT.\u0026nbsp; We only had three cadets drop out which ties the Academy record for fewest.\u0026nbsp; Tomorrow, you will all be marching out to Camp Manadnoch for part two of your training.\u0026nbsp; Tonight however, I'm sure you all want to find out the results from the squad challenge.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yes Sir!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright.\u0026nbsp; In third place... First Platoon, First Squad.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A group of cadets on the right of the stage cheered.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Second place was... First Platoon, Fourth Squad.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Yells from the back of the room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And in first place, the winner of our first squad challenge, current holder of the prestigious top squad trophy is... Second Platoon, Second Squad!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"HOORA!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We had done it, we had won.\u0026nbsp; The last two weeks had paid off.\u0026nbsp; The work and the training had brought us together and we had won.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Academy","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/126273-the-academy-the-first-day.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/126666-the-academy-fire-when-ready.json"}}