He adjusted his collar brass one last time and looked out over the sea of faces.

“Welcome to the academy,” General Thomas said.

His voice boomed through the big speakers.

“Today we commission a new class of leaders.”

He spoke for ten minutes about duty, sacrifice, and the grueling four years we had just survived.

There was no way for anyone to slip quietly out of the room.

“It’s my privilege to recognize our top graduate,” General Thomas said.

He picked up the final pronunciation guide from the podium and held it up so the front row could see it.