Звездный десант

           Itwastooscheduled,toointellectual,tooefficientlyandimpersonallyorganizedtobecrueltyforthesickpleasureofcruelty;itwasplannedlikesurgeryforpurposesasunimpassionedasthoseofasurgeon.Oh,IadmitthatsomeoftheinstructorsmayhaveenjoyeditbutIdon’tknowthattheydid—andIdoknow(now)thatthepsychofficerstriedtoweedoutanybulliesinselectinginstructors.Theylookedforskilledanddedicatedcraftsmentofollowtheartofmakingthingsastoughaspossibleforarecruit;abullyistoostupid,himselftooemotionallyinvolved,andtoolikelytogrowtiredofhisfunandslackoff,tobeefficient.

           Still,theremayhavebeenbulliesamongthem.ButI’veheardthatsomesurgeons(andnotnecessarilybadones)enjoythecuttingandthebloodwhichaccompaniesthehumaneartofsurgery.

           That’swhatitwas:surgery.Itsimmediatepurposewastogetridof,runrightoutoftheoutfit,thoserecruitswhoweretoosoftortoobabyishevertomakeMobileInfantrymen.Itaccomplishedthat,indroves.(Theydarnnearranmeout.)Ourcompanyshranktoplatoonsizeinthefirstsixweeks.Someofthemweredroppedwithoutprejudiceandallowed,iftheywished,tosweatouttheirtermsinthenon-combatantservices;othersgotBadConductDischarges,orUnsatisfactoryPerformanceDischarges,orMedicalDischarges.

           Usuallyyoudidn’tknowwhyamanleftunlessyousawhimleaveandhevolunteeredtheinformation.Butsomeofthemgotfedup,saidsoloudly,andresigned,forfeitingforevertheirchancesoffranchise.