More of this Feature • Boot Camp Challenge Menu

Join the Discussion Boot Camp Challenge

Related Resources • Surviving Boot Camp • What the Recruiter Never Told You • ABCs of the ASVAB • Top Books for Joining the Military • Resources for Joining Up

Elsewhere on the Web • Joining the Air Force • Joining the Army • Joining the Navy • Joining the Marines

You catch up with the Big Kid and tell him that it would be a much better idea if you all stayed together. The rest of the group joins you, and -- to your pleasure -- join in and help you convince the Big Kid that going off on his own is not a good idea.

Confronted with a mass of peer pressure, the Big Kid finally relents and agrees to stay with the group.

You arrive at the gate with your troops and board the connecting flight with no problems. You settle into your seat, relax, and close your eyes. You start thinking that leadership is pretty cool. "It's not that hard," you tell yourself. "In fact," you think, "I may even be a 'born leader'."

You open your eyes just in time to see the Big Kid reach over from across the aisle and hit you in the face with a peanut.

Two hours later, the aircraft arrives at Boondock Airport. You deplane with your troops and make your way through the terminal to the baggage area.

While waiting for your baggage, a tall, rugged, middle-aged man approaches. You remember seeing him on both of the aircraft you've flown on today. As he reaches past you to grab his bag from the conveyor belt, he says to you, "Don't worry, kid, you're doing just fine." You start to ask him what he means, but he turns and quickly walks away.

Finally, all of your troops find their bags, and you lead them, following the signs to the Military Information Counter. A female NCO is sitting behind the counter. She takes the papers from you and tells everyone to have a seat in the waiting area. She says the bus to the base should be along in about three hours.

As you enter the waiting area, you see the man from the baggage area approaching the NCO at the Military Information Counter. Something is different about him; he's now wearing a military uniform. He must have changed in the bathroom after retrieving his luggage. You notice that he has shiny eagles on each shoulder. "That's cool," you think. "I wonder if I'll be able to wear birds like that."

The man says something to the NCO behind the counter. The NCO frowns, first looking over at you, then looking over at the Big Kid, who is sitting across the waiting area picking his nose. As her gaze shifts to the big kid, the NCO's frown turns into the vilest grin you've ever seen.

The NCO leaves the counter and approaches the Big Kid. Sweet as can be, she smiles and asks him to bring his luggage and come with her. She leads him to a small room off the side of the waiting area. The NCO and the Big Kid enters the room, and the NCO closes the door.

Curious, you find your eyes glued to the closed door. It stays closed for about 15 minutes. Finally, the door opens and the NCO walks out. Before she closes the door behind her, you see the Big Kid in the back of the room. He's running in place, with his suitcase held over his head, shouting, "I'm a peanut-head!....I'm a peanut-head!"

You smile and think, "I'm going to like boot camp."

Of course, you could be wrong........

	Continue to Part II
	Return to beginning