Well most comics are short when you look at them individually.
Also, I beg to differ about the girls using the lancers, etc. Grubs can use lancers - a weapon of non-locust origin. You also forget how adept the human body is at survival. These women were caged animals so to speak and included in their vast array of probable mental problems, there is a sense of survival and sticking with each other. They are probably tighter knit that any COG soldier.
As for Alex hitting boot camp, all that means is formal training. Experience is the best teacher and the rag tag girls in Jilane probably didn't overcome the Locust so easily. They look pretty darn grizzly and battle worn. Think stranded with a hatred for men and some ridiculous pent up anger and heinous emotional baggage.
So, why did i dig this thread up? I've been thinking - why was Jilane established PRIOR to E-Day? I mean, that's what I'm guessing...unless Alex was transferred to the farm when she was like 8 or something...which is plausible I guess.
Just some time questions I have