The System Wanted Them To Become Soldiers. One Soldier Just Wanted To Be Human. In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Fort Polk, Louisiana for infantry training before leaving for...

The System Wanted Them To Become Soldiers. One Soldier Just Wanted To Be Human. In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Fort Polk, Louisiana for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted because he wants to experience everything and write books later. He becomes friends with Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges. There is one soldier in the platoon, Private Wilson who hates Bozz and wants to get him back for something he did. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland Paxton's body gives out and Bozz makes plans to go AWOL but he has to watch his back or Private Wilson might try to kill him.