Starship Troopers 15

Study Guide Questions for Chapter Thirteen (Part 1)

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Last Line of the Reading: “...give my compliments to Rusty and tell him to drag his lazy carcass in here.”

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Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Prudence, Legend

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. How much bigger is the Tours in comparison to the Roger Young?

2. In order to “buck for Sky Marshal” what must a person do?

3. What did Johnnie state as a “very strong reason why female Naval officers” were assigned to transports?

4. According to Naval tradition, what was done concerning the rank of any Captain on board a ship who was not “the skipper?”

5. What “legend” did Johnnie pass on?

6. What was “the root of” the M.I.’s morale according to Johnnie?

7. What percentage of the M.I. are officers?

8. What was the case for Johnnie as Third Lieutenant “as long as [he] behaved [himself]?”

9. What did Captain Blackstone tell Johnnie to do instead of acting like a “kaydet?”

10. According to Captain Blackstone, why had he not yet promoted Brumby?

11. What did Johnnie ask Captain Blackstone for permission to do?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why might it take “almost as many Navy files to run a corvette” as it does a much larger ship?

2. Why might it make sense for the Sky Marshal to have served in both the M.I. and the Navy?

3. Why might the presence of female sailors on board the troop transports be good for morale when the average M.I. soldier barely ever gets to see or speak to one?

4. Why might officers be allowed to enjoy mixed company (male and female) meals when the regular enlisted men are not?

5. Why might a higher percentage of officers, such as what Johnnie says existed in the “XXth century,” be an indication of a problem?

6. Johnnie said, “the casualty rate is always highest among officers.” Based upon what we’ve read in this story so far, why might this be the case?

7. Why did Captain Blackstone insist that Johnnie relax and not call him “Sir?”

8. Why would Captain Blackstone tell Johnnie not to mention to his platoon sergeant that Silva had also recommended “Brumby” for promotion or that he had “consulted” the Captain about any of the decisions he had made?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. What qualities make someone an exceptional leader in the military? Do you think there are certain qualities in a leader that are more valuable in the military than in a civilian context? If so, which qualities? If not, why not? Do you think Johnnie is exhibiting qualities of exceptional leadership? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Compare and contrast Saul’s qualifications for kingship in 1 Samuel 9-10 with David’s qualifications for kingship in 1 Samuel 16-17. What traits, if any, do these men have in their favor as far as potential for being a good king for Israel? What traits, if any, do these men have which count against their potential to be a good King for Israel? What, ultimately, matters most when it comes to being a good King for Israel?