The sun beat down heavily when I stepped onto the combat field, my boots crunching against the packed earth. The first step in my revenge plan has arrived, and I was so happy to relish it.

The combat field smelled of dust, iron, and anticipation, and I stood in the middle of it, hands tucked into the deep side pockets of the combat pants we had been issued that morning.

The trousers were tough, gray-black fabric, cinched at the waist with a thick leather strap, and though clearly designed for utility, they fitted snugly enough to reveal the lines of my body.

The shirt matched—a sleeveless, close-cut top that left...