Basic Military Training: A Short Story

Sweat dripping down my face, my mind distracted by the exhaustion provided courtesy of the Texas sun, I raise my canteen of water to my waiting mouth as I relish in the brief moment of rest granted to us by our Military Training Instructor (MTI). Although tired after a long day, I can’t help but be in a relatively upbeat mood. How can I not be? It is my final week of Basic Military Training. I let a small smile cross my face but am quick to get rid of it to avoid being yelled at as my MTI reproaches. And in an instant my upbeat mood completely dissipates and is instantly replaced by a creeping feeling of despair. A member of our flight had died.
We had taken our final physical assessment test that morning and he had passed out during