The first day, Kyle tried to systematically swerve the Flight. Maybe, if he did poorly, he would be changed from this dreaded position. Sergeant Long noticed, but he knew that Kyle was exceptional.
"My, if you think fucking up will get you out of Guide-On, you're wrong."
There was no escaping this duty…
The next few weeks flew by. After being made Guide-On Bearer, Kyle trained at different places than the rest of the Flight to prepare for Basic Military Training graduation. Kyle knew why. Sergeant Long told Kyle he would be performing in front of the newly appointed Brigadier General. Change-of-Command was a big deal, and Kyle was in the thick of it. He was tested not only against other Flights and their Guide-On Bearers, but he also practiced with other Training Instructors. He thought this was odd, but he couldn't complain. One of the Training Instructors was so well-built, you could tell even when she was in uniform. Kyle had a hunch Sergeant Long knew.
"How about a friendly competition?" Sergeant Long asked the other Instructor.
"Trying to prove your Guide-On is the best, Long?"
"Of course he's the best. I guaran-fucking-tee it," stated Sergeant Long.
"OK. What's the wager?"
"Ice cream," said Sergeant Long.
"Why not?"
Ice cream? Not only did Kyle dread something like this happening, but the wager was something as simple as ice cream? Of course, Sergeant Long would want to pit him against someone—another Sergeant no less. Kyle had to focus. There was no time. The competition was straightforward: perform the command faster and sharper than the other Instructor. He trained for this. He had to just perform and perform he did. Each movement was sharp to each command and swift as well. It didn't matter which command was ordered. Kyle met each with instinctive movements.
"I win," said Sergeant Long. "He beat you… in everything."
"Yeah, yeah. We'll head to the Chow Hall later."
Free ice cream. Even less of a wager. Kyle didn't understand it at all.
The other Instructor headed away from the training grounds. Sergeant Long had a look on his face that glowed with pride. Kyle was glad he didn't mess up.
Later that day, the trainees were gathered in the Day Room. Sergeant Long took the time to gloat about how Kyle "destroyed" the other Instructor.
In the Day Room, the atmosphere changed. This was a place the trainees along with the Sergeant could be a little more at ease so conversations were had, but if Sergeant Long had something to say, of course, the rest of the Flight would listen in.
"You should have seen My!" exclaimed Sergeant Long. "He beat the piss out of her."
"That's because I couldn't lose to that booty."
"What was that, My?"
"Uh.. sir, um… I had said that… the Instructor's booty… was nice…"
"You want me to introduce you, My?"
Kyle blushed.
"N-no, sir…"
"I'll do it."
"No!... I mean, I'm OK, sir."
The rest of the Flight laughed at Kyle's expense. Teague, the former Bearer, shot a glare at Kyle. It seemed a little odd since it was his inability to march that caused Kyle to become a Bearer. The Flight was dismissed and the trainees returned to their bunks.
"You ain't better than me, My."
"What's that, Teague?"
"I said you ain't better than me. I messed up on purpose. I didn't wanna do it."
"OK."
"I'm serious."
"I'm sure you are."
"I'm the best marcher here—"
"Dude, I don't have time for this."
The end of Basic was nearing. The only thing left was graduation. Kyle was preparing himself to wind down for the night when Sergeant Long called him into his office.
"Sir, Trainee My reports as ordered."
"There's been a change, My. I know you trained really hard, and you are a helluva Guide-On, but they want Non-Commissioned Officers to be the Bearers at graduation due to the Change-of-Command."
A weight had been lifted off of Kyle, but somehow, he was disappointed. All the work he had put into being Guide-On had been wasted.
"Understood, sir."
"You'll be marching with the rest of the Flight."
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed."
"Thank you, sir."
Kyle went back to his bunk and turned in for the night.
And, just like that, Graduation Day arrived. The entire Flight was dressed in their Service Blues. All that was left was to march in perfect formation for the crowd and for the higher-ups.
Kyle's Flight was next to enter the graduation field, and as Sergeant Long mentioned, an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) was Guide-On. The NCO led the Flight to their proper location. Kyle knew what was going to happen next. Once the Flight was called to halt and all Flights entered the field, they would perform a "Present Arms" followed by an "Order Arms" command.
The Flights were all in position.
"Present!" and an echo for the command was heard.
"Arms!" again, an echo.
The NCOs performed their actions with the guide-on perfectly while the rest of the Flights performed perfect salutes. The Band Flight played their music and while the NCOs and Flights held their position, the Band Flight concluded their song. The NCOs and Flights awaited the next command.
"Order!" and an echo for the command was executed.
"Arms!" again, an echo.
Simultaneous thuds could be heard as the guide-ons hit the ground. The field was dead silent as the Flights awaited the next part of the ceremony which was a Change-of-Command and marching. Kyle kept his eyes straight ahead. He noticed the guide-on wobbling. What was happening? Kyle wasn't sure.
"Aarrrgh!"
Kyle suddenly heard a yell and the guide-on fall over. There was a slight panic. The NCO leading the Flight fell over. A rush of medics ran over and took the NCO off the field. Apparently, he had stabbed himself straight through the foot while performing the Order Arms command. Sergeant Long approached the Flight.
"My, get up there."