Starship Troopers quote

"I just want to remind you apes that each and everyone one of you has cost the gov'ment, counting weapons, armor, ammo, instrumentation, and training, everything, including the way you overeat-has cost on the hoof, better half a million. Add the thirty cents you are actually worth and thats runs quite a sum." Lieutenant

This was said just before the squads first jump. It sounds like you basic pep talk before a military action, the leader saying the rest of you are dirt and don't damage the equipment. i actually found this part of the book rather funny when i read it. It kind of caught me off guard as i was reading and i laughed to it. This makes me wonder if in real life if officials tell their troops the same thing to try to "pump" them up. If i was going into a dangerous situation i would rather be told encouragement rather then don't hurt the equipment.