Officers Mess?

We see an aspiring young man who is keen to let us know he has won a scholarship to one of the world's leading military officer training academies, though he is less forthcoming in letting us know he hasn't yet taken up the scholarship.

According to the young man the offer is open for three years, so he still has the opportunity.

When asked why he hasn't taken the place, as one might have expected in light of his enthusiasm about having won it, he claims it would be a big commitment - one year of training followed by three years of service. Which seems an odd excuse in one so young, when any academic course at his time of life may be expected to take four years.

The question that springs unbidden to mind is whether he was keen enough to apply for the scholarship, and to boast about having won it, but is deeply anxious not to join the armed services while his country is fighting a war.

With that unedifying thought I will leave you until tomorrow.