Звездный десант

           Ourmarchingsongswereappropriatelydownbeat:"NoArmyformine,noArmyformine!I’dratherbebehindtheplowanyoldtime!"and"Don’twantastudywarnomore,"and"Don’tmakemyboyasoldier,theweepingmothercried,"and—favoriteofall—theoldclassic"GentlemenRankers"withitschorusabouttheLittleLostSheep:"--Godha’pityonsuchaswe.Baa!Yah!Bah!"

           YetsomehowIdon’trememberbeingunhappy.Toobusy,Iguess.Therewasneverthatpsychological"hump"togetover,theoneeverybodyhitsinBasic;therewassimplytheever-presentfearofflunkingout.Mypoorpreparationinmathbotheredmeespecially.Myroommate,acolonialfromHesperuswiththeoddlyappropriatenameof"Angel,"satupnightafternight,tutoringme.

           Mostoftheinstructors,especiallytheofficers,weredisabled.TheonlyonesIcanrememberwhohadafullcomplementofarms,legs,eyesight,hearing,etc.,weresomeofthenon-commissionedcombatinstructors--andnotallofthose.Ourcoachindirtyfightingsatinapoweredchair,wearingaplasticcollar,andwascompletelyparalyzedfromtheneckdown.Buthistonguewasn’tparalyzed,hiseyewasphotographic,andthesavagewayinwhichhecouldanalyzeandcriticizewhathehadseenmadeupforhisminorimpediment.

           AtfirstIwonderedwhytheseobviouscandidatesforphysicalretirementandfull-paypensiondidn’ttakeitandgohome.ThenIquitwondering.