Guest: Actor Lex Shrapnel

On the sun‐scorched training grounds of Camp Lehigh, Gilmore Hodge, a brash recruit, sneers at Peggy Carter. 

“I thought I was signing up for the U.S. Army,” he says, his tone mocking.

Peggy’s eyes narrow, her voice calm but firm. “What’s your name, soldier?”

“Gilmore Hodge, Your Majesty,” he replies with a smirk.

“Step forward, Hodge. Put your right foot forward,” Peggy orders, her posture unwavering.

Hodge grins, leaning in. “We gonna wrassle? Cause I got a few moves I know you’ll like.” 

In a flash, Peggy’s fist connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling into the dirt.

“Agent Carter!” Colonel Phillips barks, striding onto the scene.

“Colonel Phillips,” Peggy replies, unfazed, standing tall.

Phillips glances at the fallen recruit, a hint of approval in his eyes. “I can see that you are breaking in the candidates. That’s good!” 

He turns to Hodge, his voice a whip crack. “Get your ass up out of that dirt and stand in that line at attention until somebody comes tells you what to do.”

“Yes, sir!” Hodge scrambles to his feet, chastened.

Phillips surveys the recruits, his gaze lingering on Steve Rogers, small but resolute among the others. 

“General Patton has said that wars are fought with weapons, but they are won by men. We are going to win this war because we have the best — men.” His eyes lock on Steve. 

“And because they are going to get better. Much better.”

The scene shifts to a grueling training montage, recruits sweating and straining under the relentless sun. 

Phillips’ voice carries over the chaos. “The Strategic Scientific Reserve is an Allied effort…”