I like the possible Gypsy angle! Not so sure about the "Jail or Military" ultimatum. If
Angel had gone to a military school I would like to think it would have seasoned him a bit, at least made him more attentive in his handling of other soldiers. When the story started he was a VERY bad Second Lieutenant, arrogant, unwilling to listen and afraid to actually take the lead. He got better (most young Lieutenants do), but the fact that he started so badly makes me think this was still all very new to him.