He was very suspicious about people and was concerned there was some criminal investigative authority out looking for people. Alex wasn't fooled. The encounter quickly developed into a tight friendship that dramatically changed both their lives. Brett has developed into a hub of the local gay social scene, and Drake has also entered the social circle through Brett's continuing online adventures. Drake was scoping out the Springs while still stationed at Fort Bragg last summer, and Brett then served as Drake's entree into the community when he arrived, acting very much like a commander does for new arrivals in his unit.
Military life is inherently lonely, regardless of sexuality.
Brett has relocated six times in nine years, interspersed with 20 extended field trainings and five combat or peacekeeping deployments, from Kuwait to central Europe. Traditionally, soldiers respond by bonding tightly within their units, developing a profound esprit de corps vital to the success of an army. It's totally your social circle. We're a lot like tight immigrant groups or some religious orders. You have an immediate extended family when you arrive.