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MrsCatInTheHat wrote: ↑10 Jun 2021, 14:13 I would probably consider that a stylistic choice, being used as emphasis.

Juliet+1 wrote: ↑10 Jun 2021, 23:43 Another alternative --
Already out in the jungle, Dan Bownds and Tom Lensing were the only friends I had made in basic training.
OR
The only friends I had made in basic training, Dan Bownds and Tom Lensing were already out in the jungle.

Sandy Armstrong wrote: ↑10 Jun 2021, 20:03 Dan Bownds and Tom Lensing were already out in the jungle and the only friends I made since basic training. (?) Does that work?

Bigwig1973 wrote: ↑11 Jun 2021, 09:41 I agree with MrsCatInTheHat that it is stylistic and used for emphasis. The term "jungle" in the English language has many meanings. I'm not sure what the author means as I would need to see more of the text to determine his (or her, although that is unlikely) intentions. His friends may be literally in the jungle or it could be figurative, as in his friends grew up in a place that was so traumatizing to grow up in that they already had PTSD. If someone grows up in a war-torn country surrounded by violence, it could be said that they grew up in the jungle and consequently, will likely display symptoms of PTSD. Assuming that you are not from the U.S., this is probably because there were a large number of Vietnam veterans who were diagnosed with PTSD after the Vietnam War. There are other possible interpretations of the word jungle. As you used the phrase "basic training" , I provided a possible military and psychological interpretation. Now I'm curious!