Звездный десант

           OtherwiseI’llrefusetoenterthecapsule.

           ButIcertainlythoughtitwasabunchofcrumby,viciousnonsenseatthetime.Littlethings—Whenwewerethereaweek,wewereissuedundressmaroonsforparadetosupplementthefatigueswehadbeenwearing.(Dressandfull-dressuniformscamemuchlater.)Itookmytunicbacktotheissueshedandcomplainedtothesupplysergeant.SincehewasonlyasupplysergeantandratherfatherlyinmannerIthoughtofhimasasemi-civilian—Ididn’tknowhow,asofthen,toreadtheribbonsonhischestorIwouldn’thavedaredspeaktohim."Sergeant,thistunicistoolarge.Mycompanycommandersaysitfitslikeatent."

           Helookedatthegarment,didn’ttouchit."Really?"

           "Yeah.Iwantonethatfits."

           Hestilldidn’tstir."Letmewiseyouup,sonnyboy.Therearejusttwosizesinthisarmy—toolargeandtoosmall."

           "Butmycompanycommander—"

           "Nodoubt."

           "ButwhatamIgoingtodo?"

           "Oh,it’sachoiceyouwant!Well,I’vegotthatinstock—newissue,justtoday.Mmm...tellyouwhatI’lldo.Here’saneedleandI’llevengiveyouaspoolofthread.Youwon’tneedapairofscissors;arazorbladeisbetter.Nowyoutight‘emplentyacrossthehipsbutleaveclothtoloose‘emagainacrosstheshoulders;you’llneeditlater."

           SergeantZim’sonlycommentonmytailoringwas:"Youcandobetterthanthat.Twohoursextraduty."

           SoIdidbetterthanthatbynextparade.

           Thosefirstsixweekswereallhardeningupandhazing,withlotsofparadedrillandlotsofroutemarch.