Various forms of media have explored this process, commonly portraying it as the transformation of boys to men. However, Eugene offers a more cynical view that is rooted in the reality of his experiences. In With the Old Breed, Eugene portrays the men, both Japanese and American, as subhuman rather than hardened. The brutal and purposeless events of the battles strip away the humanity of those forced to fight. The soldiers’ corruption is seen in various elements of the story. For instance, the importance of medical care in the aforementioned scene stood out to me. Sledge reveals the deceptive and wasteful nature of