Milo Minderbinder's Syndicate

The rise of Milo's capitalist empire, from mess officer to international cartel, corrupting the war effort.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Milo becomes mess officer

The New Mess Officer The Volunteer Milo Minderbinder volunteers to be mess officer while Yossarian is in the hospital. He is eager and idealistic, wanting to provide the best meals. He starts by buying fresh eggs from Malta. The First Deal Milo approaches Major -- de Coverley with a hard-boiled egg and explains his plan to fly to Malta weekly. Major -- de Coverley approves. Milo gains a plane and begins his enterprise. The Syndicate Begins Milo's success attracts attention. He expands to other squadrons, offering eggs at lower prices. He forms the syndicate, where everyone has a share. The foundation of his empire is laid.

Expansion and corruption

The Growing Empire More Planes, More Food Milo acquires planes from other squadrons. He trades in eggs, butter, meat, and exotic foods. The M & M Enterprises logo appears on planes. He even buys Egyptian cotton, which becomes a disaster. The Cotton Glut Milo buys the entire Egyptian cotton crop, but cannot sell it. He tries to force the mess halls to buy it, but they refuse. He becomes desperate. The Bombing Contract To raise cash, Milo contracts with the Germans to bomb his own outfit. He bombs the squadron, causing casualties. He then reveals the profit, and everyone forgives him because they have a share.

Milo's international influence

The Global Syndicate Mayor of Palermo Milo is elected mayor of Palermo and other Sicilian towns because he brought Scotch to Sicily. He is also Assistant Governor-General of Malta, Vice-Shah of Oran, and other titles. The Stock Ticker In Cairo, Milo sees a stock ticker and buys the entire Egyptian cotton crop on impulse. This leads to his financial crisis. He is both a genius and a fool. The Moral Ambiguity Milo's success shows the power of capitalism. He is amoral, treating war as a business opportunity. His actions cause death, but he is celebrated because he makes money for everyone.

Milo and the chocolate-covered cotton

The Desperate Product The Invention Milo tries to make chocolate-covered cotton to sell to the mess halls. He asks Yossarian to taste it. Yossarian gags. Milo insists the men must eat it. The Failure The men refuse. Milo is distraught. He tries to bribe the government to buy the cotton. Yossarian suggests bribery, and Milo is shocked but then agrees. The Lesson Milo's cotton fiasco shows the limits of his system. He cannot force people to consume what they do not want. But he still finds a way to profit through bribery and manipulation.

Milo's merger with Wintergreen

The Final Consolidation The Partnership Milo merges with ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen, who has become a powerful mail clerk. They form a monopoly. Colonel Cathcart becomes a vice-president. The syndicate now controls everything. The Impact on Yossarian When Yossarian considers running away, Major Danby tells him that Milo and Wintergreen are now partners, so there is no hope from that quarter. The system has absorbed all opposition. The Triumph of Capitalism Milo's syndicate survives and thrives. It represents the ultimate corruption of the war effort. Profit trumps patriotism. Milo is the true victor of the novel.

Early in the story, after Yossarian's first hospital stay

After Milo gains control of multiple mess halls

During Milo's travels with Yossarian and Orr

After Snowden's funeral, while Yossarian sits in a tree

Near the end of the novel