You always have

The USMC makes it a point to weed out soldiers unwilling to accept challenges, force recon even more so. The idea that you might not accept the responsibility for what is clearly your decision never even occurred to you.

"Of course Ms. Naylor. I'll send it to you within the hour." If Ms. Naylor was expecting you to back down she doesn't give any indication of surprise when you accept her offer without hesitation. Hopefully, she knew all along that you wouldn't back down from the challenge, just as you know she'll do whatever she must to protect this school that she loves.

If your role is to bring back some order to this alien world and then be cast off like an empty cartridge, so be it. You never asked for this job in the first place and it will not break your heart to leave it to someone better suited to dealing with these young women. You rise from your chair and back away from Ms. Naylor with a hint of a bow. The one thing you will miss the most, you predict with an inner sigh, will be no longer interacting with this fierce firebrand on a daily basis.

Forty-two minutes later you hit send on the email for her approval of the attached letter. In it you introduced yourself and explained your intentions. It is written in military style, short and plainspoken, but to the best of your ability it conveys your determination to enforce the rules of the Academy while at the same time respecting the traditions and customs of the Pink Rose.

You add a note, in the body of the email offering to come over to her office to sign the letter if it meets with her approval and it could be formatted to fit on the official school letterhead.