In the Army (The Ren & Stimpy Show)

Did You Know?

• American critic Sim Basible wrote that "In the Army" was "fun without being particularly memorable."
• Thad Komorowski gave the episode three and a half out of five stars.
• Komorowski noted that the episode exemplifies Bob Camp's raucous animation style, turning a stale story into an outrageous and fun episode.

Plot

Ren and Stimpy join the U.S. Army for unexplained reasons. They are much shorter than the other recruits and are tricked into receiving vaccinations and haircuts despite a warning at the eye chart, but they successfully enlist. During military training under a Sergeant with nonsensical abilities, Stimpy proves competent while Ren struggles; Ren misinterprets an order for multiple sit-ups as paying the Sergeant 20 dollars, leading to the money's destruction and a punishment of peeling potatoes.

Stimpy considers Ren more important because Ren is assigned more potatoes. The duo are ordered to endure a room filled with tear gas; they attempt to leave but are stopped by the Sergeant atop a cannon. Stimpy turns green and cries in pain, while Ren holds his breath unharmed. The Sergeant forces them back, and they are punished by peeling watermelons.

Later, they must carry heavy sacks through mud; Ren collapses and convinces Stimpy to carry him and his supplies, resulting in Ren having to carry the Sergeant as well. After a long day, they reach their bunkers with swollen, smelly feet. Ren is awakened by sirens, goes insane from sleep deprivation, and chops up his bed; they are punished by peeling warheads. The next day, Ren fantasizes that the army intends to kill them, but the Sergeant announces they have graduated and can go to war. They are happily sent to an unidentified country, descending in burning tanks while singing "America the Beautiful."