Few people doubt the strength and power of our Army. And in the future... But now, as well as tomorrow, its main basis is the military: soldiers, warrant officers, officers... People in the prime of their strength and abilities. And what strength! What abilities!! And there are hidden unique ones among them, and undiscovered talents, and... Except, of course, the ability to master the military profession. Commanders know about this, they are proud of their troops and units... Just as proud, Colonel Ulyashov, deputy commander for educational work, inadvertently - bitterly regretted it the next morning! - he gave the “officer’s word” to his old comrades, also colonels, but helicopter pilots, that his regiment would easily defeat the famous ensemble of helicopter pilots in a month. Otherwise, Ulyashov will eat his shoulder straps, sword belt and boots to boot. It was yesterday, in a restaurant. We saw off one of the helicopter pilots to Le Bourget, to the air show. In the morning, for Colonel Ulyashov, yesterday turned out to be a bitter reality. And the regiment commander, General Zolotarev, having learned about the bet, demanded that he fulfill his word if he gave it... And he left for the sanatorium. Ulyashov, with no alternative, had to comply. The novel contains castings, and talent discoveries, and the arrival of Field Marshal Suvorov in the regiment, and parachute jumping, and a reconnaissance trip, and interrogations of those arrested, and flights on a Robinson helicopter, and Yuri Mikhailovich’s acquaintance with Viktor Vladimirovich, and a fateful meeting Vladimir Trushkin with Dasha, Zhenya Timofeev with Verochka, Viktor Vladimirovich with the American Gail, the “groom’s” acquaintance with Deniska, and General Zolotarev’s explanation with Annushka Bogdanova... And music, and Mendelssohn’s wedding march (for three couples at once!)... And all this “ thanks to Colonel Ulyashov, his “word as an officer.” By the way, it looks like he is planning a wedding.