Chapter 3: Basic Training

Some time later, the Drill Sergeant trots into the bay and speaks in a rather loud voice, "WELCOME TO FORT CANTERLOT! I AM YOUR DRILL SERGEANT! YOU WILL REFER TO ME AS SERGEANT, SARGE, OR DRILL SERGEANT! DO YOU USELESS EXCUSES FOR SOLDIERS UNDERSTAND THAT?!"

My whole platoon, including Dad and I, responded with a booming, "YES, DRILL SERGEANT!".

The Drill Sergeant led us to a room where we were fitted into uniforms and squared away to begin training.

After we were fitted into the uniforms, we were directed to this large obstacle course. This is where myself and my fellow soldiers will do our first drills.

"IT SHOULD TAKE NO LESS THAN 15 SECONDS TO NEGOTIATE THIS FIRST OBSTACLE!
YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES TO FINISH THE COURSE! FIRST TWO GET THE FUCK UP THERE! NOW!", boomed the Drill Sergeant.

The two Privates seemed to have synchronized vocal cords, because they said: "YES, DRILL SERGEANT! ", at exactly the same time. Them guys took off like lightning struck them. It was amazing. They literally hit the ground running. There were nods of approval waiting at the end when they finished the course in 3 minutes and 45 seconds.

Dad and I were up next. Nervous was an understatement for how I felt at that moment.

"NEXT TWO PRIVATES, MOVE IT! QUICKLY, QUICKLY!", the Drill Sergeant shouted.

We were running at full gallop, jumping over every pit, sliding under every low-lying opening. It was like Camouflage Temple Run!

Dad and I finished the course in 2 minutes and 59 seconds. The Drill Sergeant was noticeably impressed.

"I'll be God damned! You two maggots finished that fucking course in 00:02:59?! You beat the academy record set by Electric Pulse. 10 years ago today, he clocked in at 00:03:01. It was an astonishing achievement. I was in his Basic Training class. I heard his wife died this morning. Such a pity.", he rambled.

"Sergeant, it's me. Electric. This here is my son, Acoustic. We're here to avenge Melody's death. Will you help me?", Dad replied to the seemingly endless ramblings of the Drill Sergeant.

"YOU BET YOUR DAMNED LIFE I WILL! Acoustic, you're in good hooves. Electric Pulse is one the most badass sons of bitches I've ever met.", the Sergeant said turning to me.

"I'm aware of that, Sarge. Requesting permission to end today's training?", I said.

The Drill Sergeant laughed, "We have six more cadets, Private. I will not end this training until then.".

"Understood, Drill Sergeant. ", I answered.

The last six cycled through. We moved on to marching and that's all we did...marching. We marched until it was midnight and they sent us all to the barracks.

This was one night of sleep I never thought I would get. Many things happened too fast for me to understand. To this day, I still don't.

END OF CHAPTER 3