A peacetime military is in the awkward position of being able to do none of the things, or at least none of the things in truly realistic circumstances, that it actually exists and trains to do. The skills of success in a peacetime military are often just bureaucratic skills of conformity ...
His rise was even more awkward than the first man's. In a low, extremely quiet voice he mumbled "Frank Mittellanders." ("The Gentle Gorilla," Karen dubbed him.) Frank shuffled hesitantly and looked down, as if in deep thought. A moment of silence prompted the short woman, next to ...