Is it possible to write a science fiction story involving a young adult protagonist who has entered military service with the intention of serving in an extraterrestrial setting that reads like it was written after 1955?

So, I’m at home working today. Been reading through an enormous pile of magazines, collections, and anthologies, as I work my towards a final shortlist for The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year and Best Short Novels: 2007, doing an editorial pass on my intro for The New Space Opera, and working on a few other bits and pieces. Sophie, of course, couldn’t abide me not paying attention to her, so a photograph. I spent time on the interview that I’m doing with Jeff, which is interesting, and had some interesting conversations with various people. There may, it seems, be a change in my working arrangements. Too early to tell, but it may not be good news. I’m not sure. If it is bad news, then I’ll just have to work harder on other stuff. I’ve been pretty lucky these past few years, and I try to never lose track of that.