pp. 50-68, An Officer and a Gentleman Summary

Ensign Bill Harbison is a Navy man who is tall, slim and capable. Bill is stationed to the island of Efate and is bored with his work. He is a recreation officer for an aircraft repair unit LARU-8. Bill asks the skipper to send him further north where there is fighting, but his request is denied. Bill censors soldiers' letters, which he finds are full of stupidity, and plays sports with the men, including baseball and basketball. He learns to play volleyball and likes the teamwork involved. Bill becomes upset when he reads that his brother-in-law is quickly promoted in the army. Bill is forced to learn to relax in his routine.

Everything changes when female nurses arrive on Efate. Bill arrives at their hospital to give the nurses fresh steaks...