Valin Dermont: Difference between revisions

"Cadet Dermont has more recorded flight time that my two junior flight instructors combined.  Given his success on the written exam and previous test flights, it was an assumption that this exam would be easily one of his best.  Everything was fine, and he had received full marks through the obstacle course.  We were nearing the landing pad, and as always the cadets are required to land manually.  Dermont was coming in perfectly, but at the last second he angled the nose of the shuttle up and we ended up overshooting the landing zone by almost sixty meters.  Needless to say, this ended up severely hindering his final score.  When I questioned him on what happened, he merely shrugged and apologized for misjudging.  I must put in a note saying I question this reason.  I have flow over two hundred final flight tests and his original vector was near perfect and can only speculate whether the overshoot was intentional."

"I cannot go into the details of Dermont's case, as I will not breach his confidence.  That will be a matter between his next counselor and myself.  However, I can give some insight into his professional demeanor.  He is a man with issues which at times may hinder his ability to take charge.  He appears to freeze during moments that hinge on his decision-making skills.  It is no breach of confidence to say that the tragedy continues to be a sore spot in his life.  Be warned future commanding officers, he does like to speak of that past.  It lead to the alienation of his wife and children.  And while he had joined Starfleet in an effort to move past it, it will be a long and challenging road for him.  Despite his objections, I have put in his file for him to continue weekly counseling at whatever posting he may receive."