Minor Detail

"Minor Detail" by Jack Sharkey is a humorous science fiction story that pokes fun at the military's obsession with complicated solutions to simple problems. The tale follows General "Smiley" Webb, who creates a wild invention called the Whirligig to launch soldiers into enemy territory without parachutes. When the Secretary of Defense, James Whitlow, comes to watch a demonstration, the whole thing goes sideways in a comical mess, with soldiers tumbling headfirst and the general collapsing in disbelief. Through funny situations and irony, the story makes a statement about military thinking and the idea of pushing for fights during times of uncertain peace.