A marine officer doesn't have to know anything but the manual of arms and a few other little simple things." "But a marine officer isn't a real sailor, Danny.

He lives and works on a warship, to be sure, but he's more of a soldier.

Now, as it happens, my whole heart and soul are wrapped up in being a Naval officer---a real Naval officer." "With that longing, and an Annapolis diploma," teased Dalzell, "there is just one thing to do." "What ?" "Beat your way to the realization of your dream.

You've got a thundering good start." Midshipman Dave Darrin was not the kind to communicate his occasional doubts to anyone except his roommate.

Had Darrin talked on the subject with other members of his class he would have found that many of his classmates were tortured by the same doubts that assailed him.