The Lieutenant Wore Skirts

Katy hid the letter because she believed it was a war-department summons that could pull Greg back into active military service. She chose to keep the possibility quiet during their wedding anniversary party, wanting to protect their celebration and avoid the threat of separation that the letter represented.

Greg decided to return to active duty after Captain Barney Sloan insulted him by calling him an "old-timer" during the anniversary party. The remark wounded his pride and fueled his desire to prove his worth as a soldier, making the idea of rejoining the service suddenly appealing.

The insult at the party plants the seed for Greg's sudden interest in returning to military service.

Katy re-enlisted because she wanted to stay with Greg. Since Greg planned to return to active duty, she decided the only way they could remain together was if she also joined the service. Her previous experience as an Air Force officer made re-enlistment a natural solution.

Greg failed his physical because of a bad knee. The medical examination revealed that his knee was not fit for active duty, which disqualified him from immediate service and complicated his and Katy's plan to stay together through the military.

Greg flew to Honolulu after neighbors warned him that Katy might be lonely among attractive servicemen at the Hawaii base. Concerned about his marriage, he decided to visit, which turned into a longer stay as he tried to maintain closeness with his wife.

Greg attempted to sabotage Katy's career as a desperate bid to secure her discharge from the Air Force so they could both leave together. His plan was to undermine her position so she would be sent home, allowing them to return to civilian life as a couple.

Katy was discharged because she became pregnant. Military regulations required an honorable discharge for pregnant service members, which forced her to leave the service and return home, fundamentally changing their situation.

Greg was recalled because his knee healed. The same bad knee that had initially disqualified him from service suddenly improved, clearing the way for the Air Force to summon him back to active duty.

The husbands grew worried because Greg was spending long hours with the base wives while their own husbands were away on duty. This close social interaction created jealousy and tension among the military couples, threatening Greg and Katy's standing on the base.

Pregnancy forced Katy out of military service through an honorable discharge, while Greg was simultaneously recalled to duty due to his healed knee. This created a new dynamic where they had to balance duty and family, ultimately leading to their reunion under changed circumstances.