“Move your toy, Cabrera!” The drill instructor shouted.
Stunned, I realized that there was a slippery place inside me.
I grabbed the thick and knotty rope suspended from the obstacle. I held it with both hands, wrapped the end around the left foot and with all my weight, pressed with my right foot up to the top of my left, so that it would give me the attention it needed. At the same time I pulled myself into the rope and began to climb up.
The goal was to reach the top and I went down again.
Successfully, I slipped down and jumped. He ran to the nearest station.
A silver rope suspended between two wooden pillars lay above the brown, muddy pit. On the other side were two wooden pillars supporting the end of the rope. It was the last barrier to the finish line. They found themselves unlucky to fall, drenched in dirt, with no possibility of rain later in the day.
Exhausted, I consciously tried to pace my breathing. My arms hang at my side in a short suspension, trying to shake off the burning sensation that reverberates through them.
It was taking a toll on my whole body. This was considered “fun” for the Marine Corps card. A break for the recruits from the training of the huge hot camp.
I had offered training about twelve weeks ago.
The drill instructors were watching me yelling and screaming at the sides. recruits as soon as they could. They cried out – a lot. Only this time we did not hear screams in our ears. They only cried out if they saw a horse or a dog running, and encouraged their favourites. However, instead of words of encouragement, it sounded like a consequence.
I summoned every ounce of strength and power I had left within me, then grabbed the rope with my bare hand. I held the weight of my body in my hands for so long that I raised my feet on the rope, and made sure that I did not fall. Methodically, and in spite of the chaos happening below me, I began to inch my way. First the hands bowed, then the feet.
The drill voices of the instructors and the rush of the recruits, all trying to overcome fear and running, can be heard below. I saw one of those unlucky animals hanging from a tree by three natives, and it was sure to become a dinner once I reached it. If I hadn’t been so prepared to finish first, I could have made fun of today’s luck.
My adrenaline was running. I love you here. I found a love of hard training, a “never say die” attitude and an “esprit de corps” in an unexpected new life. Everything seems alive and bright now. I had never before had such clarity and felt a greater part of the cause in me. This experience made me realize that I have the personality and qualities to support his honor and life. At this point I realized that I was born to do this.
I am also good at this. In just a week after arriving, I was appointed one of the four squads. After two weeks, the position of director was appointed. I am a responsible leader and responsible for implementing and leading the team. I am the first commander of the training instructors.
“Cabrera!” Tiro, waiting on the ledge for his turn to handle the rope, cried out. Suddenly my foot slipped and fell. I hung there with the blood pumping in my ears.
Both drill instructors and recruits were shouting at me, giving me solutions to avoid the horrible watery situation, that if I was doomed I would perish.
Refocusing, I wrapped my feet around the rope as I quickly unwound myself the rest of the way down to safety.
Relieved, I doubled over to catch my breath and put my hands on my knees.
My senior drill instructor walked up to me and commented, “Nice save, Cabrera, but if you lose focus like that in a fight. situation, don’t let another accident lead to you or save you.”
Confused I am the one who allowed myself to be distracted, shook off the mistake, vowing to correct myself in time. I ran to the staging area, waiting for the second development training.
Now a recruit, I know I want this to become my life. I don’t want anything to happen.
