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he year is 2804 AD. Humanity has colonized the universe. But the authority of the Confederation of Human Worlds is spread thin. Where the Army of planet Earth cannot reach, mercenaries must keep the peace--and the Dirigent Mercenary Corps are the best of the best.
Lon Nolan is skyrocketing through the ranks of the DMC, proving time and again that he’s got what it takes to be one of the most elite fighters in the galaxy. But as his family grows, he grow less certain that the mercenary life is for him. With one kid at home and another on the way, he grows more reluctant to march off to battle.
But when duty calls, he must answer. In MAJOR, Nolan is off to the mining planet of Bancroft on a routine security mission. Of course, this is the DMC, so it won’t stay routine for long ...
The Dirigent Mercenary Corps books are classics of military science fiction. Rick Shelley was himself a veteran of the U.S. Army, and his experience and knowledge shine through on every page.
Lon Nolan is skyrocketing through the ranks of the DMC, proving time and again that he’s got what it takes to be one of the most elite fighters in the galaxy. But as his family grows, he grow less certain that the mercenary life is for him. With one kid at home and another on the way, he grows more reluctant to march off to battle.
But when duty calls, he must answer. In MAJOR, Nolan is off to the mining planet of Bancroft on a routine security mission. Of course, this is the DMC, so it won’t stay routine for long ...
The Dirigent Mercenary Corps books are classics of military science fiction. Rick Shelley was himself a veteran of the U.S. Army, and his experience and knowledge shine through on every page.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 1, 2020
Lon is promoted to major halfway through the book but remains in command of an infantry regiment. I had already read books 1-3, and then the last two 5-6. Because I could not find Major in the library or used book stores, ironically, when it was available on Kindle, I had to buy it. It has been a while since I read the other 5 books, I was ready to be "lost". Fortunately, Shelley often recaps who everyone is and what they did before.
Shelley is a former US Army officer so some of the nuances show, but because this book predates a lot of modern tech, you have only the early uses of drones and advanced detection gear that we take for granted in 2020. One thing I always found lacking in Shelley's DMC series is the lack of the other branches in the Army - tanks, LogCOM/ Quartermasters, SIGINT/SIGCOM, to name a few. Close Air Support (CAS) is almost an after thought in the DMC, whereas in today's Army, no one plans Ops without CAS.
Lastly, majors end up in staff positions the minute they are promoted. Lon will be a paper pusher for the next few years until he's eligible for promotion again.
Shelley is a former US Army officer so some of the nuances show, but because this book predates a lot of modern tech, you have only the early uses of drones and advanced detection gear that we take for granted in 2020. One thing I always found lacking in Shelley's DMC series is the lack of the other branches in the Army - tanks, LogCOM/ Quartermasters, SIGINT/SIGCOM, to name a few. Close Air Support (CAS) is almost an after thought in the DMC, whereas in today's Army, no one plans Ops without CAS.
Lastly, majors end up in staff positions the minute they are promoted. Lon will be a paper pusher for the next few years until he's eligible for promotion again.
March 1, 2020
RElatively decent military scifi story. If youlike this genre, then this book is probably one you wouldn't mind adding to your to read shelf. If you're not into the whole military scifi scene, then this book is probably one you'll want to give a pass, as there's little here for the nonfan.
May 2, 2010
I went into this one expecting another 3 star output, which was perhaps unfair but typical of the rest. Nolan's progression through the ranks of the Dirigent Mercenary Corps has provided interesting, but fairly constantly average, reading.
but the addition of Lon's family opens this up to being more than just a series of combat missions in remote environments, and the weight of duty and responsibility on his shoulders adds gravitas to this book. There are 2 more, I believe, and with the ending of this one so up in the air, who knows where they'll end up?
but the addition of Lon's family opens this up to being more than just a series of combat missions in remote environments, and the weight of duty and responsibility on his shoulders adds gravitas to this book. There are 2 more, I believe, and with the ending of this one so up in the air, who knows where they'll end up?
January 17, 2013
Bad news for Lon..good book for us.
Great read.
Great read.
September 1, 2014
Interesting entry in the series, a bit of mystery in this one, Nolan's character is really developing in more complex ways. More adventure than in Captain. Still a fun series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews