My earpiece was abuzz:

"The Russian Uzbek comlink is down. They are using conflicting frequencies and we can't reach them. Those comrades are now on their own up there."

"Putin's boys are doing their bit folks - so now it's time we do ours" I replied into a mouthpiece.

Tech7 looked at me from across the room. Her eyes sparkled with a fire I have not seen in a while - optimism personified.

She was continuing her discourse, as I watched her from the back row of some very uncomfortable generic folding metal chairs.

"You are the very best. Some of you served in Delta Force, others have meritorious service in Uncle Sam's other clandestine services - however now you are part of the best strategic force on the face of this small planet - and I don't want you to ever forget it.

You will never receive the medal of honor. You will not be listed in any memorials, and if you fall in the line, your families and friends will never know the service you performed for your country.

However, YOU will know what you do here. You serve because YOU want to. Remember that. As soon as you feel you are doing something you don't want to do, then we made a mistake.

We don't make mistakes in SDAI - we only rectify things."

The group of new recruits had gone through extensive training and were now prepared for what arduous challenges were to follow. I have never seen a group as eager before. A few familiar faces from DC, one recruit I recall having served as Executive Detail in the Secret Service, most others were too young to have had long careers.

"Welcome aboard ladies and gentlemen."

I stood up and did the hand wringing and clasping - looking each into the eyes to see that they were ready. Over the years you get to the point where with one look you can tell if someone is ready or not. All but one passed this unmentioned test.

This one will not get combat now. Too eager. Eager for blood. That's not good. That can lead to mistakes.

There was no mistaking it. This was wartime. Tech7 was not Patton - and thank God for that.

The recruits stood and saluted the flag.

They will go to face death, kick the reaper out of his hands and put him face floor to the ground.

A tear was forming in my eye and I fought to keep it from trickling down. Like the President's dad, I am finding myself too full of water these days.

God blessed America...we must work and yes fight to keep it blessed.

SDAI-Tech1