The pains. The aching pains. I could not believe that one person could feel so much pain in so little time. Every muscle was sore, aching, screaming with pain.

“Left, right, keep it up ladies!” A rough voice shouts from the front of the front of the pack. “You did not sign up for this to be lollygagging around looking at the goddamn scenery!”

I groan, hoisting my backpack up, cinching it a bit tighter around my chest, hoping to lighten the load. No such luck. I feel myself slipping farther behind as the men passed me with self-satisfied smirks. I know I joined the Army freewillingly, but no one told me it would be this hard. Well I guess I was forewarned. But I thought I could handle it, I’ve always been tough. After flunking out of community college, I thought a good dose of hardcore discipline would do me good.

And so far, I do think I’ve done a good job of keeping up. But somehow, all these men don’t understand that even the toughest of women still get their periods. And cramps.