In Starship Troopers Rico is the son of a wealthy Filipino family who joined the Terran Mobile Infantry almost on impulse and over his parents' objections. He was sent to boot camp "Arthur Currie" with 2008 other recruits and graduated as one of the 187 still enlisted. He was assigned as a Private to Company K, Third Regiment, First M.I. Division, or "Willie's Wildcats" on the transport corvette the Valley Forge. His first engagement was the foul-up "Operation Bughouse", during which 80% of the Wildcats were taken out of commission. He was then transferred to "Rasczak's Roughnecks" aboard the Rodger Young, where he achieved the rank of corporal and survived several successful battles. He later entered Officer Candidate School at the encouragement of his friend Ace. He eventually became a lieutenant after commanding in the critically successful "Operation Royalty". At the end of the novel he is commanding a platoon back on the Rodger Young, with his father, Emilio Rico, as his platoon sergeant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Rico
The suave Corellian smuggler known as Han Solo had a checkered past long before crossing paths with the young Luke Skywalker. A promising young Imperial naval recruit, he was dishonorably discharged after freeing a wookie slave from captivity. Han and this wookie, Chewbacca, would spend the next several years of their lives as independent smugglers transporting cargo for the highest bidder.
As quick with a one-liner as he is with a blaster, Solo is very adept at getting out of trouble as soon as he gets into it. Even he can bite off a little more than he can chew at times, though he'd probably never admit it.
Solo's best attributes are his piloting ability, and his natural take charge attitude. These have helped him overcome insurmountable odds more times than he can count.
Or maybe it's just Scoundrel's Luck
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