my biggest problem is that i'm the smallest problem

as a drill instructor, i am physically the most miniature of my colleagues

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

a group of trainees confronted me, a whole squad

they told me they felt disrespected by how i treated them even though i treated them as how any instructor would

they surrounded me, all thirty of them, all with fists clenched and ready to have a go

i did not back down, i stood tall

as tall as i could

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"as an adult, you should show us a little more respect. as an adult, you should be better. this is just for your reference - Sir."

they were all smiling, at least half of them towering over me

they think i'm just some kid just because they were bigger than me

"the standards of your drills has to be better," i replied. "as future officers i need you to be better."

they all looked at me, down on me

i refuse to let the standards of officers under my charge fall

but they refused to let an instructor half their size tell them anything at all