The story of the famous Russian writer Boris Lvovich Vasiliev (b. 1924) “Officers” was included in the golden fund of literature about the Great Patriotic War and formed the basis of the film of the same name. Written forty years ago, it is still disturbing and exciting, because debt, honor, conscience, love are timeless concepts. The profession of “defending the Motherland” is difficult and honorable, and the people who choose it are fearless and courageous.