Again and Again

The four men in Commander Cole's unit were huffing for air when they came staggering into the open compound yard after a twenty mile run; Joe immediately collapsed to the ground, heaving for breath.

"On your feet soldier," David barked as he stepped out of the command post.

Joe immediately rolled to his knees and struggled to stand again without blacking out, Bryan and Mark were both doubled over with their hands on their thighs, and Steve was leaning against the wall, swallowing convulsively, as he tried to regain his balance.

"Line up!" David commanded, and watched as they shuffled into a staggered line.

"Not good enough men," David said, looking them up and down, "Dress those lines and come to attention.

It took the four subordinate officers a few seconds to straiten themselves out. They were still breathing hard and sweat was pouring off of their faces in the hot Nevada sun.

"That run took you almost three hours gentlemen," David said disparagingly as he paced back and forth in front of them. "It should have taken you no more than two," he said, and looked each of them in the eye until they looked down. "I will not tolerate such poor standards in my command. You will do it again tomorrow, and it had better be within the time limits. As for right now, you will each give me one hundred push-ups, and then you will run the obstacle course. You will finish in under two minutes. Now Move!" David barked.

The four men dropped to the ground and began the rigorous number of push-ups that came on top of the run; none of them looked forward to the obstacle course. None of them had ever finished in under two minutes.

David watched in silence as his men struggled to make the repetitions that he had required, watched them stagger to their feet again and run to the obstacle course, and watched every one of them fail to make the two minute mark.

"Not good men," David said as he shook his head, "not good at all. Tomorrow will be more of the same, and the next day, and the next. Everyday until you can do it right. Now, dismissed to eat and wash," David said.

The four men said nothing as they turned from their leader and headed towards the barracks, complete exhaustion the only emotion in their faces.

"Just a little harsh don't you think?" Commander Hayes asked as he stepped out of the command post where he had been watching David drill his men.

"Were you any easier on me?" David asked without turning, "If I'm harsh now, they will become better soldiers; quick, agile, disciplined, strong, and resilient. They will live longer, and be prouder of themselves."

"Well, they're your men, I won't interfere, but do remember that they are also pretty young," Hayes said as he turned to leave.

"So was I," David said to no one in particular.