Ride The Rising Tide (The Maxwell Saga) by Peter Grant Page A

with general instruction. That effectively doubles your hours of instruction, either receiving it or giving it; so while the other recruits have been awarded entry–level gray belts, you’ve been awarded a second–level blue belt. It’s already been logged in your file.”
    “ Sir, thank you, Sir! This recruit appreciates the trouble you took on his behalf, Sir.”
    “ You’ve helped us look good as instructors. This is one way we can thank you for that. Another thirty hours of instruction will make you eligible to qualify for the green belt. That allows you to teach and award the lower two levels. Thirty more hours for the brown belt; then another thirty before you can try for the first–level black belt. That carries with it an ‘Expert’ badge for unarmed combat, to add to those you’ve already earned for carbine and pistol. I encourage you to work towards your black belt, even during shipboard assignments. If you’re aboard a warship, I suggest you ask permission to train with its resident Marine unit — they do so more frequently and more regularly than most Spacers.”
    “ Sir, this recruit will do his best, Sir.”
    “ I understand you hope to be selected for a commission in due course?”
    “ Sir, yes, Sir, as soon as this recruit has earned Commonwealth citizenship.”
    “ Your recruiter put a note in your file to that effect. That being the case, I have some advice for you. First, strive to do more than the minimum. Seek to excel in everything! The Fleet expects its officers and NCO’s to lead by example, not by wielding their badges of rank like a club. Our people should want to follow their leaders, because they’ve demonstrated that they know what they’re doing and care about their subordinates.”
    He paused, and Steve hastened to assure him, “Sir, understood, Sir!”
    “Good. As part of that, observe the officers placed in command over you. Many will be good people, worth following, but unfortunately some won’t be so good. Learn from all of them! Some will show you what to do and how to do it, while others will show you what not to do. Remember the second category in particular. If you earn a commission, think about how those under you will respond to the way you conduct yourself, and don’t make the same mistakes that rubbed you the wrong way when you were an enlisted Spacer.
    “ Next, follow the Fleet Reading Program diligently. It recommends books for every enlisted, NCO, warrant and commissioned officer grade. You should read those for your own grade and at least the next two or three grades above yours — unit library databases contain all of them. Don’t just skim them; read them carefully, and ask yourself what the Fleet wants you to learn from them. After all, they weren’t put on the list by accident! In particular, if you want to be an officer, read the books recommended for grades O–1 through O–3. If you demonstrate by example that you understand and can apply what’s taught in them, even as an enlisted or NCO spacer, it’ll count very strongly in your favor when your application is being considered.”
    “ Sir, understood, Sir.”
    “ Finally, the best way to learn a subject is to teach it. That’s why every Senior NCO in the Fleet, Spacer or Marine, is also qualified as an instructor, either for general training like this or for specialist training in their particular field. No officer can be promoted beyond O–3 grade — Senior Lieutenant for us Spacers, or Captain for the Marines — unless and until they’ve had at least six months experience in a formal training assignment. That shows how seriously the Fleet takes this issue. Therefore, don’t try to avoid instructor training or duties: instead, seek them out.
    “ Petty Officers Third Class and above are eligible to take the entry–level Instructor course. I strongly suggest you apply to attend it as soon as you reach that rank. As a bonus, it covers more than half the prerequisites for Officer