In A Separate Peace why does gene not enlist in the military?

In "A Separate Peace," Gene Forrester ultimately decides not to enlist in the military due to his internal conflict and fear of losing his sense of identity and innocence. The war symbolizes a loss of youth, and Gene is deeply affected by the memories of his friendship with Finny, which complicates his feelings about the war. Additionally, Gene grApples with his feelings of guilt and responsibility regarding Finny's injury, which makes him hesitant to embrace a future that could further separate him from his friend and their shared experiences.