“Name?” asked the doctor.

“Kurt Hummel.” The doctor had him take off his clothing except for his boxers and proceeded to poke and prod and ask questions about his injuries. They had an ophthalmologist come in and do some tests on his injured eye. Kurt had to give up quite a bit of blood for the numerous tests they required as well as a urine sample. He figured he was being tested for drugs as well as any diseases he might have.

He kept his fingers crossed hoping they didn’t demand a stool sample as well! That would be really gross. After having his weight and fat content measured he was given a simple flexibility and balance test. They were really making sure that there was no damage to his joints after his injuries and that he had the proper ranges of motion he might need in order to survive a deadly situation. He handed over a copy of his medical records which by this point were in two thick volumes.

“Mr. Hummel, is seems that you are a very lucky man. From looking at these medical records I understand you were severely injured and yet here you stand. Your last physical therapy session for your hands and legs is next week. Once you get a signature from your doctor saying you have successfully completed your therapy you should be fully cleared to enlist in the Air Force,” said the doctor.

Kurt released the breath he had been holding. He smiled and thanked the doctor. He had really been worried he might not make it through the physical.
“You may get dressed while I make a copy of these forms for your recruiter. Good luck to you and thank you for wanting to serve your country. You may pick up your file at the reception desk once you are done getting dressed,” said the doctor as he shook his hand and left the exam room. Kurt quickly got dressed and hurried out to the reception desk hoping to see Blaine before his appointment. The nurse handed him his paperwork and he hurried out to the waiting room. Blaine was not there. Kurt took out his iPod and sat down to wait for Blaine to finish his physical.
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Blaine was reading an Airman Magazine when his name was finally called. He put down the magazine and followed the nurse to an exam room.

“Name?” asked the doctor.

“Blaine Anderson.”

He was asked to disrobe until he was standing there in his boxers. He underwent the same exam as Kurt except for the ophthalmologist exam. The doctor did however do a complete exam of his torso.

“What caused these burns?”

“I was in Los Angeles on May 13th when he airport was bombed. I was thrown unconscious into a burning pile of debris. I don’t remember being burned. I just remember the intense pain afterwards.”

“Your medical records indicate you are scheduled for another surgery in a few weeks.”

“Actually, my mother scheduled that for me but it isn’t a necessary surgery. It is more cosmetic than anything. I’m not planning on any more surgeries. The scars are there and they are what they are.”

“Since you will not be undergoing any other surgeries I can say that you are healthy and able-bodied. I will sign off on your physical. Congratulations Mr. Anderson – you passed your physical. Go ahead and get dressed and pick up your paperwork at the reception desk. Good luck and thank you for wanting to serve your country,” he shook hands with Blaine and left the exam room.

Elated, Blaine rushed to put on his clothes and pick up his paperwork from the nurse. He spotted Kurt waiting for him and excitedly pulled him in for a hug.

“I passed Kurt – I passed! How did yours go?”

Kurt laughed at his silliness and said, “I have one more physical therapy session next week and once that is completed and the doctor clears me then I am good to go.”

“Let’s go celebrate!” Blaine led Kurt out to the car and they headed to the nearest Red Lobster.
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Kurt’s last physical therapy appointment was finally over. He was finally cleared by his doctor and he wasted no time in getting all his paperwork to Jim. Once he had made his decision he was ready to head out to basic training. After reviewing all the paperwork, Jim was able to have the enlistment papers ready for both boys by the end of the week. Burt and Carole were present when they signed their paperwork promising to defend the constitution of the United States.

Burt watched his son and tears started streaming down his face. He was so damn proud of the man his son was becoming. He was scared that something might happen to him but he realized that life happened wherever and whenever it happened. No one was ever completely safe and a person would go crazy thinking about the ugliness out in the world walking around alongside the innocents.

Their reporting date was set for September 3rd. Kurt and Blaine were to report to the MEPS station in Columbus. They would be processed through and then taken to the airport to catch a flight to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. They would be going there for their 8 week basic training. They had been jogging every morning and working out trying to get ready for basic. They figured they were as ready as they would ever be.

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September 3rd arrived all too soon. Kurt was ready and packed. There wasn’t much to take just a few changes of clothing. Burt noticed the one backpack he had and asked, “Where are the other bags?”

“That’s all I’m taking. I won’t need anything else. As soon as we get there we are issued uniforms.”

“What about the bag for your face stuff?”

“All I use is a cleaner and moisturizer, dad,” he was starting to get annoyed.

“Ok, don’t get huffy. I just figured you would take a bunch of stuff with you like you normally do.”

“Life’s different now,” whispered Kurt as his dad gave him a long hug.

“I know son – I know,” sighed Burt trying to keep the tears at bay as he let him go so that Carole could say goodbye.

“Call us as soon as you can to let us know you got there ok,” she said as he hugged him tight. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Please take care of dad,” he asked her making sure Burt didn’t hear him. “Make sure he doesn’t eat all that junk he is always trying to sneak into the house.”

She nodded because she knew she couldn’t speak without crying.

“Dude, I’m going to miss you,” Finn said as he hugged Kurt. Finn was attending Ohio State and had driven down last night for their last family dinner before Kurt left for basic training. He had to head back since he had classes starting at noon but he had wanted to be there to say goodbye. “Call me whenever you get a chance. Sorry I can’t stick around to see Blaine but I have to head out. Tell him I said goodbye.”

“I will – be careful driving back to school.” He watched as Finn ran out to his truck to head back to school. He was such a big lunk! Watching him was like watching a big German shepherd puppy that hadn’t quite grown out of its awkward stage.

Blaine pulled up a few minutes later and after getting hugs from Burt and Carole the boys were headed to Columbus. They stopped for coffee on their way out and listened to music and talked about nothing in particular. Both boys were nervous but trying to put the other at ease.

Once they arrived at the MEPS station they didn’t have time to be nervous. They were ushered through different offices making sure their paperwork was in order. They ended up in a room with about 30 other recruits and then it was time to be sworn in.

As each boy repeated the following oath they added their name:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Kurt had to swallow down tears. I made it – he thought. As he repeated the words he pictured his mother and Mr. Schue looking down at him. He knew he was doing this for them as well as for himself.

Standing next to Kurt, Blaine recited his oath thinking about how his life had changed. His parents were a bit disappointed in his decision to forego college but were being supportive. They were afraid that the only reason he had enlisted was to be with Kurt and they hoped he would finish his enlistment in four years and go back to school. He knew they loved him and only wanted the best for him even if their best was not exactly what he wanted. He wanted to make them proud.

After the swearing in they were sent to the dining hall for dinner and then given their assigned rooms. Blaine and Kurt were glad to see they would be sharing a room. They were flying to San Antonio the next day and they were told to be in the dining hall by 7:00am. Neither one felt like talking. They were both immersed in their own thoughts as they got ready for bed. Somehow without even thinking about it they ended up curled around each other in the same bed as they drifted off to sleep.

After breakfast they were taken by bus to the airport. They were handed a packet that contained their orders and instructions on what to do once they got to San Antonio. Once they landed at San Antonio they grabbed their bag and headed to the Air Force Receiving Center. They reported to the Training Instructor (T.I.) who took their orders and had them sit and wait for the shuttle to Lackland AFB. The boys take a seat and before too long they are talking with the other recruits sitting and waiting. The time passed pleasantly and Kurt started relaxing.

“Hopefully we will all end up in the same group,” he said.

Blaine and some of the other boys nodded as well.

“I wish they had coed groups,” said one of the girls plainly giving Blaine the eye.

Kurt just raised one eyebrow while Blaine just ignored the comment.
“Trainees grab your stuff and get in formation,” said a T.I as he signaled the group to get up.

“Time to go,” whispered Kurt as he grabbed his bag and started moving.