Roar Like The Beast

Roar Like The Beast

 “You can do this cousin. I have never doubted you,” Lacayo, my cousin, said to me while pacing down the highway. He is a member of the United States Marine Corps. He usually wakes up at 6 a.m. every morning to do his exercises.  I had decided to join him. “I am not sure, Lacayo. I am so lazy, young, and naïve. At least that’s what many people say, especially my elder brother.” I had decided to emulate my favorite friend and cousin, Lacayo, by joining the military. He was my mentor, advisor, and a close ally. I would count on him for anything. Let’s say he was like my wallet.

We head home after making several lapses. I was so exhausted due to my poor physical fitness. As usual, my elder brother always woke up before everyone else in the house. He was a caring and loving brother who ensured that everything in our home was in order, elder brother staff. The next in line to wake up is my mother, who ensures that breakfast is ready and served for the rest of the family members. I was the last born who was regarded as a “lazy kid,” I didn’t like that name. My cousin had come to visit as he received the call from my mother that I had decided to join the army. He came home for a few days before he returned to his duties.

I was still scared, not sure whether to join the army or not. I had no drive, no determination, nothing to boost my enthusiasm about I wanted. I thought to myself, “I am probably going to die even before the first week of my training.” The thought of it scared me. If anyone asked me, I would have said with no hesitation that I was being forced into the army.

We took a walk. My cousin asked me to join him on those bases. He would explain everything to me in detail when I am in the facilities. It was easier that way. Fear escalated with the thought of going to the army base full of confiscated firearms. As we were heading to the headquarters, a vehicle with a high speed drove towards me. My cousin came to my rescue, but instead, the car hit him. He was trying to save my life. I was careless that I lost my concentration. I cried bitterly. I was scared the more. I didn’t know what to do. Gladly we were almost at the facility area where the officers came and took our brother to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. I was guilty, and I knew this was my fault. That was my turning point. This incident changed my life completely.

I decided to join the military. Even though I wanted my cousin to be there to help me, I knew that chance had gone. I had that shot, but I lost it. I have another bullet; I won’t miss my second shot. I had to do it on my own. To get into the military, I had to go through several tests and challenges before I could get recruited. It was going to be a long trip of trials and struggles, something I have never faced in my life. The first challenge was to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test. I had been studying this during my free time at home and at school. When the results came, my Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score was 32. I was lucky since the minimum pass mark is 31.

The second step was the roughest, the toughest, and the most soul testing. I knew that if I don’t pass this stage, I won’t go anywhere. But I was determined to go through it. Even though I was so fast to learn, my physicality showed how weak I was. I failed several times in training. Everything was hard. During running trials, I always came last. My physicality and stamina were a question. Every time I went on a one-on-one training strength-wise with my opponent, he or she would beat me. I lost to everyone I had to face. I could not swim for long miles. I could not hold my breath for a more extended period. Climbing hills and running through valleys were all a challenge to me, and also, my shooting prowess was so weak that I could not make any good attempt.

I had an awful start to life as a trainee. Every time I went to bed at night, I would cry, wishing my cousin was around to help me. But the guilt and the memories from the event that happened would remind me that Lacayo lost his life so that I can achieve this dream. He would be proud if I continued where he left. So I kept pushing. I would wake up early every morning motivated, energized, and ready for the days challenged. Most of the days, I would get the same results, but things kept changing every day. I started running faster; my shooting ability grew massively. I took down most of my opponents and performed several assignments set to us. My energy grew; I was determined to become a marine like my cousin. I knew he was an excellent marine corp. I wanted to be like him. Every day was a new day, as I kept working hard towards my goal. After several tireless efforts, I passed the test and was named as one of the marines to have been selected. That was a special day in my life, and I dedicated it to my cousin Lacayo. How I wish he were alive to celebrate the fruits of my hard work.