The men of Easy Company are willing to die for one another. But how did such bonds form? It all began at Camp Toccoa where 140 volunteer men go through a six month training course to be Parachute Infantry. "These nineteen-and-twenty-year-old enlisted men, free from the restraints of home and culture, thrown together in an all-male society, coming from all over America" joined Easy Company for the honor, thrill, and a little bit of extra money. But above all, they joined for the desire to be better than the average soldier. Their early days were filled with long runs up and down Mount Currahee, lectures on basic Army I.Q, and harassment from the arrogant 1st Lieutenant Herbert Sobel. Whatever they were doing, they were always singing, shouting in unison, chanting, or swearing. The men of Easy Company's bonds grew deep and strong under Sobel's tyranny and irrational actions. Sobel pushed E Company much harder physically than any other company. At Fort Benning, they embarrassed the sergeants with their outstanding physical fitness: " After two days of such abuse, the sergeants told the C.O. that the 506th was in much better physical condition than they were, so all the companies of the 506th started in immediately on B stage".
Later at Camp Mackall, when the men were on an excursion during jump training, Sobel had hurt his foot and returned back to the barracks while the company stayed in the field. He decided to conduct an inspection of the men's personal belongings. He took items like letters from girlfriends, expensive shirts, and any items he decided were "contraband". Tipper recalls "Before Sobel's raid, I had disliked him, not really hated the man. Afterward, I decided Sobel was my personal enemy and I did not owe him loyalty or anything else. Everyone was incensed" Sobel was highly disliked by E Company. Second in command was 2nd lieutenant, Richard "Dick" Winters.
