Звездный десант

           Mostgreatmilitaryschoolsofthepast—SaintCyr,WestPoint,Sandhurst,ColoradoSpringsdidn’tevenpretendtofollowit;theyacceptedcivilianboys,trainedthem,commissionedthem,sentthemoutwithnobattleexperiencetocommandmen...andsometimesdiscoveredtoolatethatthissmartyoung‘officer’wasafool,apoltroon,orahysteric.

           "Atleastwehavenomisfitsofthosesorts.Weknowyouaregoodsoldiers—braveandskilled,provedinbattleelseyouwouldnotbehere.Weknowthatyourintelligenceandeducationmeetacceptableminimums.Withthistostarton,weeliminateasmanyaspossibleofthenot-quite-competent—getthemquicklybackinranksbeforewespoilgoodcaptroopersbyforcingthembeyondtheirabilities.Thecourseisveryhard--becausewhatwillbeexpectedofyoulaterisstillharder.

           "Intimewehaveasmallgroupwhosechanceslookfairlygood.Themajorcriterionleftuntestedisonewecannottesthere;thatundefinablesomethingwhichisthedifferencebetweenaleaderinbattle...andonewhomerelyhastheearmarksbutnotthevocation.Sowefield-testforit.

           "Gentlemen!--youhavereachedthatpoint.Areyoureadytotaketheoath?"

           Therewasaninstantofsilence,thenHassantheAssassinansweredfirmly,"Yes,Colonel,"andBirdieandIechoed.

           TheColonelfrowned."Ihavebeentellingyouhowwonderfulyouare—physicallyperfect,mentallyalert,trained,disciplined,blooded.