Being career military men, both Sergeant Carter and the Skipper woke up shortly before dawn. Half awake, Carter got out of his hammock as he would a stationary rack. The bed acted like a slingshot and catapulted the Gunny halfway across the hut.

"Son of a…!" The Marine exclaimed.

"Are you all right Sergeant?" The Skipper asked.

Carter replied, "I'm sorry sir, I hope I didn't wake you. I guess I'm just not used to bunk hammocks."

Captain Grumby chuckled, "Quite all right Sergeant, I was awake anyway. I imagine hammocks aren't exactly Corps issue."

As the two men were getting ready for the day, Carter asked, "I take it you and Gilligan served together in the Navy?"

The Skipper replied, "Yes, Gilligan was one of my crewmembers. He saved my neck from a run away depth charge. He got meritorious promotion to Petty Officer Third Class and a letter of commendation. When I retired and bought the Minnow, I hired him on as my first mate. After all who else would have him?"

Carter chuckled, "I think I know where you're coming from. At least Gilligan was able to make some rank. Pyle doesn't seem interested in being anything else but PFC."

Usually Carter would do a run before breakfast, but out of respect to Captain Grumby, he joined the Skipper on his morning walk.

Carter commented, "You couldn't have picked a better place to get shipwrecked, or a better group to be stranded with."

The Skipper replied, "Don't tell the others this, but I totally agree."

When they returned to the compound, all of the others were awake. Mary Ann was putting breakfast on the table—various fruits and coconut milk.

After everybody was seated Gilligan announced, "Gomer and I were talking last night, and we want to be astronauts after we are rescued." The declaration was greeted by good-natured chuckling by the castaways.

Sergeant Carter said, "Pyle, to be an astronaut, first you have to go to AOCS and graduate flight school. Then you have to go through test flight school and have thousands of hours in the air."

Gomer replied, "Sergeant, remember I did pass the OCS test before by 'hunching', I'm sure I can do it again."

Carter lamented, "Pyle, hunching won't help you make a carrier landing at night."

The Skipper said, "Same thing Gilligan, you'll have to be accepted to the NAVCAD program and get your wings."

The Professor interjected with, "Skipper, Sergeant Carter, can I have a word with you?"

When the three men were alone, the Professor said, "Let them have their dream, what harm could it do?"

Sergeant Carter thought it over and said, "Your right, this is the first time Pyle has shown any motivation to be promoted."

Skipper agreed, "This is probably one of Gilligan's least hair-brained ideas. Gentlemen, I have an idea, follow my lead when we get back to breakfast."

After the three returned to the table, the Skipper spoke, "Gilligan, Gomer, we apologize for not taking your career change seriously. To make up for it, we will help you prepare for NASA. I will command the Island Space Academy, the Professor will be in charge of science instruction, and Gunnery Sergeant Carter will be your Drill Instructor."

Gomer said, "Well, shazam! Are you going to be my DI again Sergeant Carter?"

Carter replied, "When I'm done with you two, you'll think NASA PT is an elementary school gym class."

Mary Ann jumped in, "I can be the head cook."

Ginger contributed, "I'll be in charge of morale."

Mrs. Howell offered, "I can be in charge of uniform fashion."

Everybody looked at Mr. Howell, who gave in and said, "Fine, I'll be finance officer."

Afterwards, the Skipper told Sergeant Carter, "You wanted a better Marine, I wanted a better Sailor. With everybody's help, I think we could accomplish that."

Carter replied, "Sounds like a good plan, sir." The Sergeant couldn't help but to remember, though, the difficulty of getting Pyle through recruit. Now he has two to worry about. The Drill Instructor had the two "astronaut recruits" meet him on the beach after breakfast.

Gomer greeted Carter with, "Hey Sergeant."

Carter exploded, "Hay is for horses! You will greet me with 'Good Morning Gunnery Sergeant.' Is that understood."

Gomer said, "Yes, Gunnery Sergeant."

Gilligan giggled, "Horses."

Carter exclaimed, "Drop and give me twenty!" It was going to long 'Space Academy.'

After a long morning workout, it was time for lunch. While the other castaways had a large delicious buffet, the two "Astronaut Candidates" dined on dried fish and fruit.

"What's this?" Gilligan asked.

"Its what astronauts eat," Mary Ann replied.

Gilligan followed up with, "Don't they have freeze dried coconut crème pie?"

Carter bellowed, "You will eat what Ms. Summers prepares and you will enjoy it, is that clear."

Both astronaut candidates replied in unison, "Yes, Gunnery Sergeant."

After lunch, they had to take Physics and Astronomy with Professor Hinkley (what they now had to call him) under the watchful eye of Sergeant Carter. Nodding off in class was not an option.

After science class, the candidates were outfitted with their uniforms. Mrs. Howell found some costumes from the film studio crate that washed ashore years ago, and made them look space age.

Gomer said, "Golly, I feel like George Jetson."

Sergeant Carter ordered, "Pipe down…Ten Hut!"

At that, the Skipper inspected the 'candidates.' The retired Navy Captain simply said, "Very good, Sergeant."

After inspection Mr. Howell led the two to the cave and explained, "During your training as astronauts, this is where you will live and eat to prepare you for capsule life. In the buckets you will find water and dried food. You will be awakened at reveille for physical training with Sergeant Carter and classes with Professor Hinkley. As a special treat for completing your first day of training, Miss Ginger Grant will be putting on a USO show for you by the fire.

Gilligan and Gomer were entertained by the famous actress singing pop songs and doing one act monologues. When the two returned to their cave, they were exhausted.

Gomer said, "You know Gilligan, this may be a long Space Academy."

Gilligan agreed, "You said it, Gomer." The two fell fast asleep.

Back at camp, the other castaways were enjoying a lavish dinner prepared by Mary Ann. The Kansas farm girl asked, "You don't think we went to far do you."

The Skipper replied, "No, I haven't seen Gilligan that focused in years."

Carter added, "Pyle didn't do that well in boot camp the first time."

The Professor contributed, "Both men were more into my physics lecture than most graduate students."

Mary Ann said, "Still, I feel bad serving them only water and dried food."

The next morning, Sergeant Carter and the Skipper once again awoke before dawn. The two decided to go check on their campers. They were surprised to see the Professor up.

The Professor looked concerned and said, "I was surprised that Mary Ann wasn't up preparing breakfast. I knocked on the door of the girl's hut, but nobody answered."

Carter volunteered, "I'll check it out."

The Skipper added, "We'll check it out." The Skipper knocked loudly, and the three men entered an empty hut."

Carter said, "Maybe they went to the cave give the men some breakfast."

Skipper replied, "That's probably it… lets go check out the cave."

When the Skipper, the Professor, and the Sergeant arrived at the cave, it was also empty. Carter found something disturbing—an aboriginal spear.

The Professor theorized, "The spear belongs to the Rortoo tribe, who live on a neighboring island. The food tray over there tells me the girls were here, probably giving Pyle and Gilligan some left over food from last nights dinner. The Rortoo, seeing all the training we were doing, probably assumed that Gilligan and Pyle were our braves."

"What about the girls?" The Skipper asked, not really wanting an answer.

"Since they saw them entertaining and feeding Gilligan and Gomer, they would deduce that the women were their wives."

Carter asked, "What will they do with them?"

The Professor answered, "If the reports are correct, they will make the women their brides."

Skipper swallowed hard and asked, "And Gilligan and Gomer?"

The Professor looked grave and answered, "The Rortoo are known to be cannibals."