PFC Ryan Barnacascel

Private Ryan "Barney" Barnacascel is the youngest member of the platoon, being just shy of 21 years at the beginning of the story. He is also the lowest-ranking soldier among the platoon's PFCs, and gets more than his fair share of scut work, which he tends to without complaint. Barney is young and energetic, idealistic and sometimes simplistic. A former Boy Scout, he prides himself on being presentable and polite, and does not engage in some of the activities common to his fellow soldiers such as cursing or telling off-color jokes.

Barney is the fourth of five children, and lived nearby before joining the Army and fast-tracking into the Rangers. As such, after the sweeps hit, it was possible for him to get word to his parents, and they were able to join him in Elma. They now live in a house in town that was occupied by a couple who died from nanite poisoning during Operation Trespass. He has a younger sister with autism (mild diagnosis for Asperger Syndrome), two older sisters and one older brother. His younger sister, and one of his older sisters and her infant son (who were still living with the family at the time) were able to join them. Barney's eldest sister and brother are still unaccounted for.

Barney is an avid poker player, and spends much of his free time in the lounge passing the time playing cards or darts.

He is extremely friendly with Collier, and catches a lot of flak for it. Some people tease him that she is his "girlfriend," and rib him for not being able to attract a human girl.

His bunkmate is PFC Oscar Fillion.