crack, sign on

[KLPNO]

Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the meaning of "crack" and "sign on" in the following passage.

"Close it!" Sergeant Brodeur said. He'd been elevated to command of Unit Epsilon after Vega's promotion, which Vega had been grateful for. It was bad enough Bowles was being cracked by GDIUP because of his family, but Brodeur was a good soldier whom tech had allowed to be just as productive as anyone despite his hearing loss. And even the tech had failed, he signed on with everyone else and did as well as anybody in taking B-14 back, and better than most.

What do "crack" and "sign on" mean?

I think that 'to crack' means to treat in an unjust way -- Bowles did very well in one of the combats but they didn't promoted him because his family had come over to the enemy. As for "sign on" I have no idea.

[mykwyner]

"Sign on" in this context (and most others) means to volunteer. It is usually used in the military, but it translates to other fields.

"Cracked" (I'm guessing) in this context means what you think it means, harassed, teased, or otherwise treated badly.

[KLPNO]

Originally Posted by mykwyner

"Sign on" in this context (and most others) means to volunteer. It is usually used in the military, but it translates to other fields.

"Cracked" (I'm guessing) in this context means what you think it means, harassed, teased, or otherwise treated badly.

Thank you very much, mykwyner.