Boaz only has the rank of private, but is clearly secretly control in some way. This reversal of the expected hierarchy of power is significant, as it marks a crucial point of distinction between the Martian Army and traditional armies. The fact that Boaz is a black man (he’s described as “colored”) is also significant. When Vonnegut himself fought in World War II, units were still segregated and black soldiers faced significant discrimination—yet here, Boaz is in charge of white men.