Quote 1
"You know what I hope?" Lobel asked. "I hope I get killed over here so he has to fit that s*** between his vodka martinis." (9.84)
Lobel's different from the other guys in his platoon because he doesn't come from a working-class background. For his dad, vodka martinis—which are a step up from a can of Budweiser, as far as your adult beverages are concerned—are the norm. Kind of evokes the high life. But here's a secret: that doesn't necessarily mean a happy life. Deep, huh?
Quote 2
"You guys think we're going to have a race problem over here?" Lobel asked.
"Not as long as everybody over here got them a gun," Peewee said.
Lobel stood up. "Well, just in case we do," he said. "I want you to know you got the Jew on your side." (17.111-113)
Dongan didn't invite Lobel for a beer because he thought he might be gay. But whether he is or not, the reason that Lobel identifies with the black men in his platoon is his Jewish heritage. When it comes to the white members of his platoon, that makes Lobel feel more like an outsider than part of the group, so he buddies up with the other outsiders. At least they've got each other.