Marine infantrymen traveling on transit orders.

One of them was slouched far back in his seat with his boots stretched out into the middle of the walkway, laughing loudly at a video on his phone.

The second sat beside him with his hands clasped between his knees, rubbing the back of his neck with a worried look whenever the volume went up.

The third had the aisle seat and was tapping his boot heel fast against the floor while he scanned the passing crowd.

As I walked into the gate area, the loud one glanced up and spotted the gold oak leaf on my collar.