Smoke billows from Ford as he laughs, “You have no fuckin’ room to talk, you’re married and have mini bear. Sounds to me like your strapped in, there little bear.” He bent down to scrape the last of the cigarette on the ground, then switches the subject, “I damn sure wish I was a fly on that wall when your momma attacked that Josh guy.Scare me.” His body gives a theatrical shiver as we all agree.
Everyone loves my mom for her treats and knows just how kindhearted of a soul she has; they also know that it takes quite a bit to piss her off. I can only recall two other times she has exploded in rage, each one having more than ample reasoning. This moment in time though, someone hurt her son; she protected her own just as I do for this country.
Family, it’s the Gorski way.
I love my brothers, but I better get them settled down and focused. We have a few more tasks to complete.
“Alright, enough of the chitchat. Sarge wants us ready. Let’s go.” I push off the wall to gear up for our patrol into the remote village. Not sure what’s planned for the day, but I always get a little anxious whenever we’re about to head out.
Call it what you will, but I live for this shit, it’s all I know, all I've trained for. Aside from my family, this is all I’ll ever need.
Fuck it.
If my plan stays on track, I’ll become Sargent in no time, then I’ll be climbing ranks, reaching officer status, and making a full-fledged life in the Marine Corp.
Ain’t no better way.
I’ve known since the age of six or seven that my career- my destiny in life- is to be here, doing exactly this.
The freest feeling in the fucking world.
Three generations of Gorski served in the Navy. I wanted to follow in their footsteps but found the sea and I do not get along well. So, the day the recruitment officer stopped by the school I signed up without a second thought.
This is what I knew I wanted to do. No doubts. Just one thought; defeat our common enemy and come home in one piece.
Even if it wasn’t meant to be and I die here in this shithole, I die knowing I made my country proud. No one can take that away from me.
No better feeling in the world than making my family, and Uncle Sam proud.
Ford, Shark, and Owen, follow on my heels, they are quiet now that their leader has directed an order.
“Time to get our heads in the game boys. Let make this day anoutstandingone.”
“Load up!” Sergeant Stark shouts, wrapping up the patrol for the day.
Today we checked around the mountainous terrain, found some leads, but other than that it was a pretty boring day. Only a few more of these and we will be golden.
“Wrap it up, boys.” I boom, surveying the dry landscape as we go.
Shark is quick with his usual, *humorous*“that’s what she said”, after my statement making a few of the guys chuckle.
It wasn’t funny this time, nor was it the seventy-five times before now.
I swear I’m surrounded by children most days.
We stay vigilant as we make our way back to the MRAP (em-wrap) vehicle. Something is nicking at me; my gut instinct is churning, telling me our day might not be over with after all. Who knows, maybe I’m just ready for this to end so we can get back to base, go get some chow, and relax.
My men can clearly hear it in my tone that something isn’t sitting right. Their trust in my judgement is why we are still here. Things were a little hairy on our first deployment, further North from where we are now; so many brothers and sisters fallen due to our enemy.
Trust the gut.
The one thing my men have come to know is when out on a mission my motto is to always give your everything or go the fuck home; there is no time for fuckin’ slackers.
Ford sets up in back; as the gunner he’s our eyes that continue scanning the terrain for any sort of threat. I swear, his eyes are better than a hawk’s. Not to boast, but I have the best gunner in our infantry right here; nothing gets past Ford, always ready to strike with guns blazin’.
The second he locks into his station, I don’t have to worry that he is, or ever will be distracted. Like me, this is what he lives for and I’m glad to have him as a brother.
Owen jumps into the driver seat and quickly straps in. He pulls out a picture of his wife and newborn, gives it his good luck kiss, says his usual‘I'll be home soon', just like every time we are out here, then sets it back in his vest pocket. It’s his ritual every time we finish the day’s work or if he is really missing them.