Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDS, are an infection transmitted through sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In 2016, it was reported that military STD rates rose, mostly because of the Navy and Marines. What goes on overseas and stay with you a lifetime.

In the military if a member knowingly passes an STD to another person  they could face nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

A Lifetime Commitment: The Adventures of Private Love-bug

It was a steamy summer night on base, and Private Lovebug, a young, slightly naive soldier, found himself caught up in a whirlwind of romance and mischief during his deployment overseas. He’d heard all the warnings about STDs from his drill sergeant, but the reality of military life made those warnings feel like distant echoes. After all, who could resist the charms of a friendly face after long days of training?

As the night rolled on, Lovebug found himself at the barracks with his buddies, sharing stories and laughs over a few too many cans of lukewarm beer. The mood was right, and the tales of romance were flowing faster than the drinks. “I swear, last night I had a date with the prettiest nurse!” he bragged, puffing out his chest. “She even gave me her number!”

His friends cheered him on, clapping him on the back. “Way to go, Lovebug! Just don’t forget the most important rule: Always use protection!” one of them cautioned, waving a beer can for emphasis.

“Protection? Pssh! I’m invincible!” he scoffed, waving off the advice. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Ah, the famous last words of a soldier in love.

Fast forward a few weeks, and Lovebug’s carefree attitude came back to haunt him. After a particularly wild night out with the nurse, he started feeling… strange. “Oh boy,” he muttered to himself while inspecting a suspicious rash that had sprung up like an unwelcome guest. “This can’t be good.”

Panicking, he enlisted the help of his roommate, Private Rizzo, a seasoned soldier known for his “extensive” experience in the dating world. “Dude, I think I’ve got something!” Lovebug exclaimed, doing his best to show a nonchalant exterior while internally spiraling.

“Calm down, Lovebug! Let me take a look,” Rizzo replied, raising an eyebrow as he leaned in closer. “Yep, that looks like the ‘Navy Blue Special.’ I had that last month, and let me tell you, it’s a ride you don’t want to take twice.”

“But I don’t want the ‘Navy Blue Special’!” Lovebug wailed, flopping onto his bed dramatically. “What do I do?”

“First, you need to see the medic,” Rizzo said, smirking. “And second, you better pray you didn’t pass it on to anyone else. You know how the military feels about spreading gifts.”

“Gifts?” Lovebug echoed, wide-eyed. “What are you talking about?”

“STDs, my friend! If you pass it on and they find out, you could face Article 15 punishment! You’ll be doing pushups while singing the ‘Navy Blue Special’ song as your punishment!”

Just then, the barracks door swung open, and Sergeant Thompson walked in. “What’s all this ruckus about?” he asked, looking at the two privates with a raised eyebrow.

“Uh, nothing, Sergeant!” they chimed, trying to hide the panic behind their grins.

“Nothing? I heard ‘Navy Blue Special’ from down the hall. You’d better not be spreading anything around here, or I’ll make sure you’re doing pushups until your arms fall off!”

Lovebug’s eyes widened in horror. “No, Sergeant! I promise! It’s not what you think!”

Rizzo couldn’t help himself. “Just sharing some ‘military wisdom’ with him, Sergeant! You know, keeping our privates safe and sound.”

Sergeant Thompson chuckled, shaking his head. “You two better remember: what goes on overseas doesn’t just stay with you. You’ll carry that around like a backpack full of rocks if you’re not careful!”

As the sergeant left, Lovebug groaned, realizing that his carefree days were over. The next day, he shuffled into the clinic, bracing for the worst. After what felt like hours, he got the diagnosis: “Congratulations, Private Lovebug! You’ve got yourself a mild case of ‘Navy Blue Special.’”

“Great,” he mumbled. “What now?”

The medic grinned. “Just take these antibiotics, and don’t touch anyone until you’re clear. And for heaven’s sake, next time, remember: always use protection!”

Feeling like he’d just been handed a lifetime commitment, Lovebug nodded solemnly. “You got it, Doc. No more ‘special’ surprises for me.”

Weeks later, with his condition cleared up and a newfound respect for the importance of protection, Lovebug sat down with Rizzo. “You know, I never thought I’d learn so much from a rash.”

Rizzo laughed, clapping him on the back. “Consider it a lesson learned, my friend! And remember, don’t just keep your privates safe; keep everyone else’s safe, too!”

From that day on, Private Lovebug became the unofficial advocate for safe practices among the troops, sharing his story and laughter. After all, in the military, if you can’t laugh at your mistakes, what’s the point? And as he liked to remind everyone: “What happens overseas might stay with you, but let’s keep it to stories and avoid any long-term ‘commitments’!”

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