“Letting an unverified spec-ops title onto official school material sets a bad precedent for military integrity.”

Valerie Thorne picked up the silver pen again and held it sideways between both thumbs.

“Master Chief Merrick is Matty’s mother, Lieutenant.

He’s an eleven-year-old sixth grader.”

“Precision matters when it comes to the uniform,” Wyler said, moving toward the desk.

“Parent registration Form 2841 has Navy SEAL written on the occupation line.

That misrepresents naval authority.”

I reached into my canvas duty bag and laid a blue leather folder flat on the dark wooden desk between them.