me in the eye. I’m sure he could see the look in my eye. Knowing what his next sentence would be. He didn’t want to drop the hammer, but he had to. It must be the worst part of his job, but I was glad he had called me in face-to-face.
“Petty Officer Second Class Callahan, at 23:59 today, you are officially released from active duty. You are authorized a disability severance of 15%. Your discharge is honorable and the Navy transition team will work with you to transition back to civilian life.”
“Yes, sir.”
We both held eye contact.
“Young man, I can still see the fire in your eyes. If you’re interested I can probably make a few calls and secure a pogue position.”
“Working at a desk, sir?”
“That’s right. Administrative, but you’d still be a vital part of the missions.”
“Thank you, sir. But that would only make this harder. Every day knowing I’m not out there. I’m so close, but so far away. It would be torture. Thank you, sir, for this proposal, but unfortunately I think a clean break is the way to go.”
“I knew as much. No warrior wants to be relegated to a desk. Just figured I’d let you say it for yourself. Petty Officer Callahan, is there anything I can do for you?”
“No sir. I’m all squared away.”
“Son, I’ve prepared a small package for you. Inside it contains 20 letters of recommendation, your severance pay, your unused leave pay, and a small hazardous duty pay bonus. My mobile phone number and civilian email address are also inside in case you ever need anything. You are always part of the family.”
Those last seven words stung the hardest. I was part of the family, until I wasn’t. And that was now. Captain Culver meant it, but Captain Culver is a person. A SEAL. Some guys in white coats were calling the shots now and they say I’m not part of the family, but I don’t really care what they think. Captain Culver’s words were all the guarantee I needed.
“Do you have any questions, Petty Officer Callahan?”
“No, sir.”
“Thank you for your service. You’re one hell of a SEAL. One hell of a young man. You’re always going to land on two feet with both guns blazing.”
I couldn’t help but smile. The Captain shook my hand. His handshake was firm and his hand was strong. All muscles. Not the hands you see these days that spend more time at a typewriter. The kind of hands your WWII grandfather had. The kind that spent the day holding a hammer, turning wrenches, building and fixing things.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you, Petty Officer Callahan. If you have no questions you’re dismissed.”
“Aye, sir.”
I executed a perfect about face for the last time and exited the Captain’s office. I walked around the corner and entered the men’s room. I went to the back stall, put down the lid and sat down. My head in my hands. It was over. It was really over. Part of me had just died. Thank God I had the gym and the community now. And of course Carissa. Without them I’d have nothing.
Chapter 17
I didn’t have to tell Jax. He could see it in my eyes. He gave me a big hug.
“You’re always one of us, brother. No matter what somebody else says.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to. Just hearing those words from Jax was all I needed right now. I sat on the couch.
“How’s the gym going?”
“Great. We had three more signups when you were gone.”
“Maybe I should leave more often.”
“Definitely not. They were looking for you. They seemed a little bit disappointed when I told them you weren’t instructing.”
“Well, that’s about to change. I’m all in now. No more disruptions.”
My phone vibrated.
“Looks like you spoke too soon.”
It was Carissa’s number.
“Hey
“Petty Officer Second Class Callahan, at 23:59 today, you are officially released from active duty. You are authorized a disability severance of 15%. Your discharge is honorable and the Navy transition team will work with you to transition back to civilian life.”
“Yes, sir.”
We both held eye contact.
“Young man, I can still see the fire in your eyes. If you’re interested I can probably make a few calls and secure a pogue position.”
“Working at a desk, sir?”
“That’s right. Administrative, but you’d still be a vital part of the missions.”
“Thank you, sir. But that would only make this harder. Every day knowing I’m not out there. I’m so close, but so far away. It would be torture. Thank you, sir, for this proposal, but unfortunately I think a clean break is the way to go.”
“I knew as much. No warrior wants to be relegated to a desk. Just figured I’d let you say it for yourself. Petty Officer Callahan, is there anything I can do for you?”
“No sir. I’m all squared away.”
“Son, I’ve prepared a small package for you. Inside it contains 20 letters of recommendation, your severance pay, your unused leave pay, and a small hazardous duty pay bonus. My mobile phone number and civilian email address are also inside in case you ever need anything. You are always part of the family.”
Those last seven words stung the hardest. I was part of the family, until I wasn’t. And that was now. Captain Culver meant it, but Captain Culver is a person. A SEAL. Some guys in white coats were calling the shots now and they say I’m not part of the family, but I don’t really care what they think. Captain Culver’s words were all the guarantee I needed.
“Do you have any questions, Petty Officer Callahan?”
“No, sir.”
“Thank you for your service. You’re one hell of a SEAL. One hell of a young man. You’re always going to land on two feet with both guns blazing.”
I couldn’t help but smile. The Captain shook my hand. His handshake was firm and his hand was strong. All muscles. Not the hands you see these days that spend more time at a typewriter. The kind of hands your WWII grandfather had. The kind that spent the day holding a hammer, turning wrenches, building and fixing things.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you, Petty Officer Callahan. If you have no questions you’re dismissed.”
“Aye, sir.”
I executed a perfect about face for the last time and exited the Captain’s office. I walked around the corner and entered the men’s room. I went to the back stall, put down the lid and sat down. My head in my hands. It was over. It was really over. Part of me had just died. Thank God I had the gym and the community now. And of course Carissa. Without them I’d have nothing.
Chapter 17
I didn’t have to tell Jax. He could see it in my eyes. He gave me a big hug.
“You’re always one of us, brother. No matter what somebody else says.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to. Just hearing those words from Jax was all I needed right now. I sat on the couch.
“How’s the gym going?”
“Great. We had three more signups when you were gone.”
“Maybe I should leave more often.”
“Definitely not. They were looking for you. They seemed a little bit disappointed when I told them you weren’t instructing.”
“Well, that’s about to change. I’m all in now. No more disruptions.”
My phone vibrated.
“Looks like you spoke too soon.”
It was Carissa’s number.
“Hey
Similar Books
