by Patrick Mulderrig

(The below is an excerpt from an essay that was an honorable mention in the Creative Writing award of the Military Writers Guild)

EXT. AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE OCEAN - DAY

The date May 3, 2011, appears on the screen. Out on the horizon, with only ocean in sight, the USS CARL VINSON floats. It is a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with 5,000 crew members. A voiceover starts and we move over the water, towards the ship.

CHIEF DAVIS (V.O.)

The ASVAB is the intelligence test for those who enlist in the armed

services. With perfect scores, any branch of service is available, but the Navy is the most technical,

powerful, and intelligent of the services.

We’ve arrived on the Vinson. A SIGNAL MAN, waves his flags, and a piercing sound gushes from the most badass jet in the military, an F/A18 E/A Super Hornet, the flags go down, and the jet blasts off, It is awesome! We continue to a hatch, (Navy speak for door) and enter.

INT. USS VINSON - DAY

We move down a ladder into a P-way (Navy speak for hallway). The ship is busy, and sailors pass by. They are relaxed but alert, moving purposefully.

CHIEF DAVIS (V.O.)

Our brightest minds often go into the nuclear program, which is

necessary for running the most powerful ships in the world, ships such as, the USS Vinson.

We get to a hatch with the words: BOARD ROOM on it and enter.

INT. BOARD ROOM - DAY

Seated along with, LT GRACE LOVEJOY and PETTY OFFICER FIRST CLASS, PERKINS, is CHIEF DAVIS, the voice of the narration. At 30, he is shrewd, uptight and on his way to being the highest ranking enlisted man in the Navy. Chief Davis looks at the files of the TWO SAILORS standing in front of him, third class petty officers, SANCHEZ and LECKER.

CHIEF DAVIS

Now explain to me, why two nukes, are so ready to risk their careers

for senseless acts of insubordination.

Sanchez, 21, open-minded and directionless. His curiosity and willingness to learn should bring him success, but a juvenile sense of humor ruins any chance of that.

SANCHEZ

Chief, I would really love to continue to have a career in the Navy.

CHIEF DAVIS

And you, Lecker? Do you have anything to add?

Lecker, 28, a proud member of the lucky sperm club, is too good-looking and quick-witted, to understand true misery.

LECKER

I believe him. Sanchez would love to have a career in the Navy.

CHIEF DAVIS

That’s cute Lecker, very cute. Do you see yourself, continuing in the Navy?

LECKER

Chief, I’ve been in the Navy ten years. I believe my time served

answers that question.

CHIEF DAVIS

I’m aware of how long you’ve been in. We came in together. I’ve made

chief in that time and you’ve been demoted...

He looks at Lecker’s record.

CHIEF DAVIS

Three times. Now I’m up for Senior Chief.

LECKER

Chief, is this really the time to show off? Both Sanchez and myself

are needed to relieve watch.

Perkins rubs his head uncomfortably. Lt Lovejoy hides an eye roll.

CHIEF DAVIS

Unless one of you rogers up, I am recommending you both, be

dishonorably discharged from the Navy.

SANCHEZ

Please Chief...

LECKER

What did we do?

CHIEF DAVIS

You’ve shown complete disregard for your superiors and have an

inability to adapt to military regulations.

LECKER

Inability to adapt? I’ve been in ten years.

CHIEF DAVIS

And you’re still an E-4.

LECKER

As a United States sailor, I’m proud of that rank.

CHIEF DAVIS

You shouldn’t be.

SANCHEZ

Whoa!

Lecker looks at the LT.

LECKER

Ma’am, do you hear this?

LT LOVEJOY

Everybody shut it!

The room settles.

LT LOVEJOY

Before we have anyone removed from service, do you two want to

explain yourselves?

SANCHEZ

I just thought...

LECKER

Hold it Sanchez. What are we being accused of?

LT LOVEJOY

You’re not aware?

CHIEF DAVIS

He’s aware.

LECKER

Negative Chief, I’m not. Neither is Sanchez.

CHIEF DAVIS

Sanchez can speak for himself. Sanchez, you were saying?

SANCHEZ

With all due respect Chief, tell me where I am wrong, so I can make it right.

Unamused, the Chief presses a button on the phone.

A woman’s voice responds on the line.

BREE (O.S.)

This is the galley, M.S.-3, Bree speaking.

CHIEF DAVIS

M.S. 3, Bree, tell your LPO that Chief Davis wants the relevant

evidence to the recent insubordination, brought to the, Board Room.

BREE (O.S.)

Yes, Chief.

The line goes cold. Lecker and Sanchez shift in place.

Chief Davis looks on, like a Cheshire cat, selecting a goldfish…