 Why would the psychologists be surprised to see Read blow up the tank?
It's not so much the decisions a man does make that mark him as a Man—but the ones he refrains from making. Illustrated by Schoenherr Read locked the door and drew his pistol. If Umluana noticed Read's gun, he didn't show it. "Corporal Read is very young," Rashid said, "but he's a crack shot. Two men with rifles plunged into the gas; sighing, they fell to the floor in a catatonic trance. Read walked backward, covering their retreat. A grenade arced from the bushes and the pursuers recoiled from the cloud that rose before them. In a few minutes Miaka Station will know we're coming. Two types of recruits are accepted by the UN Inspector Corps: those with a fanatic loyalty to the ideals of peace and world order, and those who are loyal to nothing but themselves. It was the home of factory workers, clerks, semiskilled technicians, all who do the drudge work of civilization and know they will never do more. The UN Inspector Corps had been founded to enforce the Nuclear Disarmament Treaty of 1966. Trained to use small arms and gas weapons, they guarded certain borders, bodyguarded diplomats and UN officials, even put down riots that threatened international peace. As the UN evolved into a strong world government, the UN Inspector Corps steadily acquired new powers. Read went through six months training on Madagascar. Rather than resign, he accepted punishment which assigned him to weeks of dull, filthy extra labor.
 Read's psych tests said he was only driven by pride.
 Read's psych tests said he only cared about himself.  Read's psych tests said he would likely fall apart under pressure.  Read's psych tests said he was only driven by pride.  Read's psych tests said he was a coward.