With Earth embroiled in a vast interplanetary war with the "Bugs," a young recruit in the Federal Reserves relates his experiences training in boot camp and as a junior officer in the Terran Mobile Infantry.

USMC Commandant's Professional Reading List 2021 -- Recruit, Poolee, Candidate, Midshipman. US Navy Reading List, 2017 - Junior Enlisted. Originally published: New York, Putnam, 1959. "A much abridged version ... was published in Fantasy and science fiction magazine under the title 'Starship soldier.' " "Jacket design by Jerry Robinson"--Dust jacket. "A much abridged version ... was published in Fantasy and science fiction magazine under the title 'Starship soldier.' "--Title page verso. "Historical note": page 309.