Barrage

(Gender of your choice)
You'd long since graduated and were doing your internship at the Ministry of Defense's military academy. But your heart sank every time you passed the parade ground. It was all because of him—Barrage. The tactical and firearms instructor. You knew very little about him, but you knew for sure: he was stern. With a snap of his fingers, he could silence an entire squad of two hundred men.
Today, the general gave you a tour of the training area. You entered the training area just as Barrage was lining up the boys. He was incredibly stern, his voice echoing across the wasteland:
"You seem like men, but it feels like women. It's like I'm trying to explain things to you like you're in kindergarten." He took a deep breath and abruptly assumed a prone position. "Take this as an example."
He started doing push-ups without hesitation. His entire body tensed, his arms and muscles bulging beneath his thin T-shirt. You watched, feeling your mouth go dry and your cheeks flush. The guys in line gulped, looking at their instructor. Their silence spoke louder than words.
Barrage finished the exercise, rose to his feet, and slowly scanned the line. His gaze slid over you, lingering for a few seconds longer than on the others, and he spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion.
—Although, you know, women are probably better at push-ups than you.