Shadows In the Jungle by Larry Alexander

tough—just as tough as you can make yourselves—but we don’t have any place in this organization for a ‘tough.’ This type of work does not call for bums and tramps. It calls for the highest qualities of soldiering. Self-discipline is one of the first attributes. Be considerate of your fellow soldiers and of temperate disposition. You will be treated as individuals and as men—gentlemen, if you please. You will be expected to respond in a similar manner.
    â€œRemember, you were not asked to come to this training center. It is our understanding that each and every one of you is a volunteer of his own free will and accord. If there is any one of you who has any reservations, mental or otherwise, make yourself known to the Director of Training and you will be released to return to your organization without any questions.
    â€œYou will be closely observed during all of the six weeks you are here. If it is found that you are not mentally, temperamentally, or physically fit and up to the standards required; if it is found that you are not giving it all you have; if it is found that you are not sincerely trying—you will be returned. Time is too precious to waste on those who do not fit. There are no disciplinary problems here. Breaches of discipline are quickly disposed of by returning the violator to his unit.
    â€œThe officers of the staff are here with the single thought of furnishing you with their best in the way of training. There is no need for you to have the slightest fear of them. They are ordinary human beings, just as you and I are, and they hope you will consider them as such in your contacts with them. Practically all of us started in the army as privates, including myself. Most of us are civilian soldiers doing the simple job of trying to help our country win a war. If you have any suggestions to offer, any real criticism or complaint or anything else you want to get off your chest, we encourage you to discuss it with a member of the staff; or, if you are hesitant to do that, then simply write a note and drop it in the mailbox in the dayroom. You do not even need to sign it. The relationships here are very informal, based as they are on mutual respect and sincere effort.
    â€œAt the conclusion of this class, some of you will be selected as Alamo Scouts and retained to execute such reconnaissance missions as the army commander may desire. The majority of you will be returned to your units, where your training will stand you in good stead and where you will be available to your division, regimental, and battalion commanders for their missions. A few of you will not make the grade for one reason or another. In any event, you will be better soldiers for what you have received here and it is hoped that you always carry with you the tradition and esprit de corps of the ‘Alamo Scouts.’
    â€œTraining begins tomorrow. That is all.”
    * * *
    Bradshaw was as good as his word. At five thirty a.m. the men were roused, and after a breakfast of powdered scrambled eggs, fried corned beef, fresh fruit, such as mangoes, coconuts, and oranges, and coffee, the day began in earnest.
    The men were divided into teams consisting of an officer and six to ten men, depending on the ratio of officers to enlisted men. For the most part they would remain together all through training or until attrition, which often ran as high as 40 percent in the first two weeks, made the team too small to function. At that time they might be combined with another dwindling group. On occasion, Scouts were rotated to different teams in order to get to know other men and officers.
    One of the first orders of business was to draw equipment: black swimming trunks, jungle first aid packets—which included morphine syrettes, sulfa drugs, a small bandage, water purification tablets, and assorted tropical ointments—weapons, compass, binoculars, machete, pistol belt, poncho, cartridge pouch, canteen, and