Chapters 9 and 10 Summary and Analysis

"Loading" describes the massive task of emptying the sausages onto the transport vehicles. Thinking about death, soldiers stop joking and playing pranks, and priests are "in their heyday." Anticipation and excitement about getting on with it are stronger than fear. Most men have been together since boot camp and squads and platoons have bonded as families. Only a few have any "patriotic passion;" instead, most worry about letting their buddies down. Some commanders gather their men for a last talk before boarding.

Coast Guard and Navy crews await the troops. Most officers are "ninety-day wonders," in their early twenties and just out of officer training school, while skippers are "old men" in their thirties. The troops have drilled loading so often it is monotonous routine, and many believe this is just another practice - precisely what the commanders want...