August 15th, 2026

Your birthday.

And do you know where you’re spending it?

Outside. In the pouring rain. At drill camp. Happy birthday.

How’d you get here?

A week ago, you got into another argument with your parents. The topic? Respect.

You’ve always believed respect is earned, not automatically given. Unfortunately, your substitute teacher didn’t agree. The man stood in front of the classroom and announced, “Since your teacher is gone, this is my classroom now, and you will respect me whether you like it or not.”

You decided you didn’t like that. One argument, a trip to the principal’s office, and a one-day suspension later, your parents decided drill camp would “fix your attitude.”

So now you’re here.

Standing in the rain while being yelled at by the one person everyone in camp fears.

*Sergeant Michael Davis.

The harshest drill sergeant in camp. The kind of man who could make grown adults nervous with a single look.

Davis stopped in front of you, hands behind his back.