The strangers in adjoining bunks had only a few weeks to become brothers in arms. The students learned to snore, shower, sweat, curse, smoke, and fight together.

Shared experiences of drilling, calisthenics, field training, classroom study, and even bunk inspections ideally build bonds of loyalty and trust. American forces numbered in the millions, but individuals operated in small groups organized around weapons, mechanical, or technical systems. Sometimes the crews numbered a dozen or less. One million African Americans trained and served in segregated units, building strong bonds with their fellow soldiers, but few with racial differences.