Звездный десант
Chapter 12
"Thewholemercilessloadwilllandwithoutwarning.Youmustactatonceandyou’llhaveonlyGodoveryou.Don’texpectHimtofillintacticaldetails;that’syourjob.He’llbedoingallthatasoldierhasarighttoexpectifHehelpsyoukeepthepanicyouaresuretofeeloutofyourvoice."
TheColonelpaused.IwassoberedandBirdiewaslookingterriblyseriousandawfullyyoungandHassanwasscowling.IwishedthatIwerebackinthedroproomoftheRog,withnottoomanychevronsandanafter-chowbullsessioninfullswing.Therewasalottobesaidforthejobofassistantsectionleader—whenyoucomerighttoit,it’saloteasiertodiethanitistouseyourhead.
TheCommandantcontinued:"That’stheMomentofTruth,gentlemen.Regrettablythereisnomethodknowntomilitarysciencetotellarealofficerfromaglibimitationwithpipsonhisshoulders,otherthanthroughordealbyfire.Realonescomethrough—ordiegallantly;imitationscrackup.
"Sometimes,incrackingup,themisfitsdie.Butthetragedyliesinthelossofothers...goodmen,sergeantsandcorporalsandprivates,whoseonlylackisfatalbadfortuneinfindingthemselvesunderthecommandofanincompetent.
"Wetrytoavoidthis.Firstisourunbreakablerulethateverycandidatemustbeatrainedtrooper,bloodedunderfire,aveteranofcombatdrops.Nootherarmyinhistoryhasstucktothisrule,althoughsomecameclose.
