By Sxott Rixhardson
Emerald! The Sergeant screams at the top of his lungs; get over here he shouts! Oh God; Emerald thinks to himself as he comes running down the catwalk. Emerald Reporting as ordered Sergeant! he replies. The year is 2011. 10 years have passed since the Twin towers were attacked; all sergeants present are approaching there 10-year mark. All the sergeants are ecstatic about re-enlistment. Emerald would be just as excited too but this is year 1 for his class of active duty service members; he has a whole 9 years before he could share in the joy with the Sergeants. Physical training is just ending. Emerald! The Sergeant screams at the top of his lungs; Get over here he shouts! Oh god; Emerald thinks to himself as he comes running down the catwalk. Were all leaving The Sergeant says. Why!? Emerald asks. According to The Sergeant, all Sergeants that didn’t make promotion to Staff Sergeant will be severed with no option of re-enlistment. The looks on there face stunned and shocked the young marines of class 2011. Emerald’s world has been at war since he was in the 3rd grade. When the twin towers dropped Emerald was 8 years old as he watched the smoke and dust rise in the distance from his classroom window. 10 years passed and his world is still at war. He is standing next to the class of 2001. Observing the dismissal of class 2001 discourages the class of 2011. It is no longer cool to be motivated in this military. Suddenly being the most squared away represents weakness and proof of true indoctrination by the military. The fades in our hair slowly fade lower and lower. Our uniforms unpressed and our cadences softer. We plan to use our first amendment to sway the decision against severing The Sergeants as we know there sacrifice. Emerald and the class of 2011 grow closer to The Sergeants of 2001 affected by the new order. They are unsuccessful in saving the senior enlisted. The Sergeants of 2001 are severed from The Marine Corp against there will; while battling PTSD, Opiate addiction, Alcohol addiction, Adjustment disorders and other things; The Military turns a blind eye. Approximately 1 year later the Veteran Suicide rate skyrockets. To be continued…
