Here’s a sarcastic, team-banter-heavy version with Slade shutting down the double standard.
Slade had dealt with some stupid complaints in his career.
Complaints about assignments.
Complaints about training.
Complaints about equipment.
But this one?
This one was genuinely ridiculous.
It started when one of the recruits approached him after morning training.
“Boss, we need to talk about the new recruit.”
Slade didn’t look up from his paperwork.
“About what?”
“The way she’s dressed during training.”
That got his attention.
Slade slowly raised his eyes.
“What about it?”
“She keeps training in a sports bra.”
Slade stared at him.
Then glanced through the open doorway toward the gym.
She was already there, stretching before training.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing inappropriate.
Just athletic clothing designed for movement and exercise.
Slade looked back at the recruit.
“And?”
The man hesitated.
“It doesn’t seem professional.”
Slade’s expression went completely flat.
“Professional.”
“Yes, sir.”
Slade leaned back in his chair.
Then looked toward the hallway.
Two men walked past.
Both were shirtless.
One had sweatpants hanging dangerously low on his hips.
The other was carrying his shirt under one arm.
Slade pointed toward them.
“Those two.”
The recruit looked.
“What about them?”
“They’re shirtless.”
“They’re men.”
Slade stared at him.
“And?”
The recruit opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Slade shook his head.
“So let me get this straight.”
He gestured toward the gym.
“She wears a sports bra because she’s training.”
“Yes.”
“And that’s a problem.”
“Yes.”
“But half this team walks around shirtless whenever they feel like it.”
The recruit shifted awkwardly.
“They’re guys.”
Slade’s eyebrow twitched.
“That’s your argument?”
Silence.
Slade stood.
“Get the fuck out of my office.”
The recruit blinked.
“Boss—”
“I said get the fuck out.”
The man immediately left.
Slade walked into the gym.
The rest of the team had clearly heard the conversation.
One recruit was trying very hard not to laugh.
Slade pointed at him.
“Don’t.”
The man immediately looked away.
Another recruit glanced down at his own shirtless torso.
Then slowly reached for his shirt.
Slade noticed.
“Too late.”
The man froze.
Slade sighed.
“Listen carefully.”
The room went quiet.
“If she’s following the training dress code and she can move properly, I don’t care what athletic clothing she’s wearing.”
He looked around at the men.
“And none of you get to complain about someone else’s clothing when half of you treat shirts like optional equipment.”
A few men nodded.
One muttered,
“Fair.”
Slade pointed toward him.
“Exactly.”
He walked away.
The complaint was never brought up again.
Mostly because everyone suddenly realized the hypocrisy was impossible to defend.
And because Slade had apparently decided there was a new rule.
If the men could train half-naked, nobody was going to complain about the woman wearing a sports bra.