What indications are there of rivalry and politics within each branch of the military and between the branches?

Explain the sequence of events leading up to Hark and Minor being relieved of their duties by Howard. What were they caught doing?

Geoffrey Craig and Craig Lowell are cousins and both are from a wealthy family. How do they both differ on their views of the military? Why? How does this change as time goes on?

What is Operation Monte Christo? Why is there so much secrecy surrounding the project?

How is the Monte Christo operation endangered? Who finds out about it and how?

Lowell's relationship with Dorothy Simms results in a lot of problems and many people are angry with him. Explain why? Was their anger justified?

Lowell and his son Peter-Paul are estranged. What happens at Fort Bragg that compounds this estrangement?