“Come on, you apes! You want to live forever?”
This battle cry introduces the reader to Rasczak’s Roughnecks, one of the many platoons in the Terran
Mobile Infantry. Narrated by Juan Rico, this work of science fiction maps his fictional career from boot camp to the completion of
officer training.
Robert Heinlein adopts the platonic ideal of the citizen for his novel, Starship Troopers. Truly, in a civilized world, only a combat veteran, one who has risked his or her life for the State, deserves the right to vote as a Citizen of that State. It is not an
attack of patriotism that spurs young Rico to enlist into the Mobile Infantry. He enlists with his best friend. However, as the novel progresses, the reader sees that Rico slowly begins to mature, and to grasp the ideas and responsibilities of Citizenship.
It is not an easy road for Rico. First, he has to contend with his parents, who oppose his enlistment. Boot Camp, led by Sergeant Zim, is his next hurdle. Rico is put through a crucible that will toughen him up for the fight with the bugs: vicious, intelligent insectoid aliens that compete with the Terrans for occupied space. The
bug War begins soon after Rico’s graduation from boot camp and his
transfer to his first duty platoon. Specifically, the bugs launch a surprise attack that obliterates the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Through Rico’s eyes, the reader experiences the preliminary act of retaliation by the mobile infantry on Klendathu, site of a bug stronghold. This preliminary attack is a near disaster, and Rico’s platoon is almost decimated. The remains of his
unit are attached to Rasczak’s Roughnecks, the unit that is to become Rico’s home.
After settling into his new unit, Rico thrives, despite learning that his mother was visiting Buenos Aires on the day it was destroyed. Rico decides to attend officer training, which means a transfer from the Roughnecks. During his transfer, he bumps into his father, who grieving the loss of his wife, has enlisted into the mobile infantry. Strengthened by the reconciliation with his father, and letters of inspiration from one of his old high school teachers, Rico completes officer training and returns to the fleet for his final test as an officer candidate. Rico, leading his own platoon, participates in an assault on a bug hive in the hopes of capturing one of their “brain bug” leaders. The assault is a success, and Rico soon returns to lead the Roughnecks.
For those readers who have served in any of the armed forces (of any nation), you will recognize certain phrases or protocols. Robert Heinlein does an expert job of capturing the flair, or sense of history and camaraderie, that one gets from a long established military unit.
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