Звездный десант

           lipbuttonedwhileItalk,we’llhaveyoubackintheM.I.whereyoubelong.Youmustbetemporaryofficersforyour‘prenticecruisebecausethereisnoroomfordead-headsinacombatdrop.You’llfight—andtakeorders—andgiveorders.Legalorders,becauseyouwillholdrankandbeorderedtoserveinthatteam;thatmakesanyorderyougiveincarryingoutyourassigneddutiesasbindingasonesignedbytheC-in-C.

           "Evenmore,"theCommandantwenton,"onceyouareinlineofcommand,youmustbereadyinstantlytoassumehighercommand.Ifyouareinaone-platoonteam—quitelikelyinthepresentstateofthewar—andyouareassistantplatoonleaderwhenyourplatoonleaderbuysit...then...you...are...It!"

           Heshookhishead."Not‘actingplatoonleader.’Notacadetleadingadrill.Nota‘juniorofficerunderinstruction.’SuddenlyyouaretheOldMan,theBoss,CommandingOfficerPresent--andyoudiscoverwithasickeningshockthatfellowhumanbeingsaredependingonyoualonetotellthemwhattodo,howtofight,howtocompletethemissionandgetoutalive.Theywaitforthesurevoiceofcommand—whilesecondstrickleaway--andit’suptoyoutobethatvoice,makedecisions,givetherightorders...andnotonlytherightonesbutinacalm,unworriedtone.Becauseit’sacinch,gentlemen,thatyourteamisintrouble--badtrouble!--andastrangevoicewithpanicinitcanturnthebestcombatteamintheGalaxyintoaleaderless,lawless,fear-crazedmob.