Causo

 The Lads Army: Medical Exam Day

It was the first day of the Lads Army, a reality show that simulated the 1950s National Service. The lads, twenty young men around the age of 20, had no idea what they were truly getting into. As they filed into the medical building, Corporal Murray stood in front of them, scanning their nervous faces.

Corporal Murray’s Thoughts:
Right, let's see what we've got here. Twenty lads, all thinking they're ready for this. They have no idea what's coming. They probably think it's just some harmless show, a few drills, maybe a laugh or two. But today, we’re doing the real thing. Let’s see how they handle this. No messing about.

"Alright, lads," he barked, "you’re gonna do an army medical exam today. Listen carefully. Do as I say and don’t ask questions. Understood?"

Some of the lads looked confused, a few glancing at each other, unsure of what was happening. Others, like Pete, who had family that served in the 50s, exchanged knowing looks.

Murray's Thoughts:
Some of these lads are already sweating. I can see it in their faces. But we’ll break them in. They’re here to learn what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves. If they’re going to make it through this, they need to stop being embarrassed about their bodies. No room for modesty in the army.

"Right then," Murray continued. "Strip down to your undies and get in line. Single file. Now."

As the lads hesitated, some looking nervously at the floor, others looking at each other in disbelief, Murray crossed his arms and surveyed them. He had no patience for hesitation.

Murray's Thoughts:
I can see the fear in their eyes. They’re thinking this is too much, too quick. But if they can’t handle this, they’ll never survive the real thing. The army doesn’t have time for these petty fears. They'll either toughen up or they'll break.

---

Inside the room, the old doctor was waiting. He was a middle-aged man, with a pot-belly and glasses that slid down his nose. His job wasn’t glamorous, but he’d done this a thousand times before. He stood by, observing the lads as they filed in, still in their underwear.

The Doctor’s Thoughts:
Here we go again. Twenty lads, all awkward and unsure. Same as every batch. I remember when I went through the same thing back in the day—nothing more uncomfortable than being forced to strip down in front of strangers. Still, it has to be done. These lads will get used to it. Hell, they’ll forget all about the embarrassment by the end of it. They always do. Poor bastards. Some of them won’t even know what hit them. But this is for their own good. It’s the way we used to do it. The way it was meant to be done.

The camera operators set up their gear, ready to film everything. The doctor looked at them briefly, but there was no judgment in his gaze. He had seen cameras before and knew exactly what they would focus on.

The Doctor’s Thoughts:
The cameras are going to make this harder than it needs to be. But this is a show, after all. The lads think they're being filmed for their reaction. Little do they know, it's not just for them—it’s for everyone else who’ll watch this and laugh at their discomfort. It'll be good for them, though. Nothing like a bit of public exposure to get them used to the real world. It wasn’t pretty back in my day, either.

---

Once the lads were in line, Murray stepped forward. He gave a dramatic pause, letting the tension build. The lads were standing there, some nervously shifting from foot to foot, others trying to keep their heads down.

"Alright lads," Corporal Murray said, his voice booming through the room. "Stand still and quiet. Now, I’m gonna give you an order. You follow it quickly and precisely. Understand?"

The lads all mumbled in unison, “Yes, Corporal.”

Murray’s eyes narrowed. He watched them, making sure they were paying attention. Then, after a long pause, he shouted:

“DROP THEM!”

Murray’s Thoughts:
Now let’s see who cracks first. Who’s gonna flinch? Who’s gonna make a scene? Some of these lads will be fine. Others? Not so much. They think they’re here for some TV fun, but they’re about to learn what real discipline is about. They’ll feel stupid for being embarrassed. They’ll learn quick, or they’ll be the punchline of every joke for the next six months.

The lads froze for a second before they all dropped their underwear. The room fell into an uneasy silence. Some were obviously red-faced, others couldn’t look anywhere except the floor.

The doctor watched calmly, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

The Doctor’s Thoughts:
Ah, there it is. The real awkwardness. The lads are trying to pretend they’re not embarrassed, but you can see it. It’s the age-old struggle. Most of them are still holding onto some kind of dignity. But soon enough, they’ll realize it doesn’t matter. It didn’t matter back then, and it doesn’t matter now. You’ve got a job to do, and that job is to be a soldier. Dignity isn’t part of it.

---

The camera operators, meanwhile, were zooming in and out, trying to capture the perfect angles. They moved quickly around the lads, focusing on their bodies, their reactions. Some lads tried to cover themselves, while others simply stood there, awkwardly looking straight ahead.

Cameraman’s Thoughts:
This is gold. Look at them—so stiff and unsure. Some of them are trying to look casual, but you can see the nerves. The cameras are doing their job, though. We’ve got the perfect shots, the perfect reactions. I’ll bet the viewers will eat this up. They’ll love seeing these lads squirm. But honestly? This is what they signed up for. The whole point of this show is to make them uncomfortable. People want to see them break down, see how they handle it. That’s what makes it entertaining.

As the lads were directed to hold their underwear in front of them and cover their private parts, the doctor began his examination. One by one, the lads were called up for their hernia check.

The Doctor’s Thoughts:
Time to get this over with. They’ll get used to it. No one likes this part, but it’s necessary. Some of these lads are still holding onto that sense of embarrassment, but that’ll fade. What they don’t realize is, once they go through this, it’s the first step in becoming something different. The army strips you down—literally and figuratively. It’s part of the process. And when they walk out of here today, they'll feel different. It’s just the way it is.

---

After the exams were finished and the lads were finally allowed to dress, Murray gave them one final look.

Murray’s Thoughts:
They did alright. Some were obviously more uncomfortable than others, but in the end, they got through it. By the end of this, they won’t be fazed by anything. The whole point of this show is to test their limits. If they can’t handle this, they’ve got no business trying to be soldiers. I’ll make men out of them yet.

As the lads filed out, Pete nudged Tom, grinning.

“See? Told ya it wouldn’t be that bad.”

Tom laughed, though it was a nervous, forced laugh. “Yeah, right. No more surprises like that, I hope?”

Pete just chuckled, "Mate, this is only the beginning. Get ready for more, because it doesn’t get easier."

---

And so, the show continued. The lads learned more than just physical drills and military life—they learned how to shed their embarrassment, how to stand tall in the face of discomfort, and how to embrace the challenges that would make them into better men. Through every awkward moment, they grew, and so did their understanding of what it truly meant to serve.