H. Lester:
And now, retirement? Family first? at thirty-six?
Captain Thodim:
It may be a bit early but my retirement is not because I cant do it anymore, it is because my wife is due to give birth to my child, I have found us a nice location to raise my child away from all this chaos.
H. Lester:
So when your kid is.. sixteen, the age you signed up for the watch, you will only be fifty-two, surely there is more adventure for you in the future?
Captain Thodim:
We shall see, for now though, I have been through so much, the body and mind can only take so much, I would rather take my time to decide what I want to do next. Being behind a desk is too dull and the front line is too dangerous when I am to be a father.
H. Lester:
When you look back at your career. What would you call yourself, Soldier? or Guard?
Captain Thodim:
Soldier, I was never into all the paperwork side of things, I could run a unit and knew the law, but it was always the miltary side and training folks to learn how to use a sword and make them better people, that is what drove me.
"Thodim had seen all the angles of the military service. The field work, behind the scenes, workshop and the leadership. He is as reliable as it gets, someone you can rely on no matter the odds. Most importantly, in a military officer, he is a man that does everything of those who he commands. He was always kind, open to his people and outsiders alike, with an understanding approach but a decisive resolution that gave no quarter to incompetency or foul-play. He earned a proper rest but I know he won't be too far away as his experience and guidance will be required around here."
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Captain Heywood Floyd, Special Operations Command
A LATE LESSON:
H. Lester:
If you had to pick one thing above everything else, then what would you say has been the lesson you learned and which stands out from everything else during your career?
Captain Thodim:
My biggest lesson is something I learned recently actually, right and wrong and what you are told you should do are vastly different. Always do what is right, regardless of what people think, you may lose out on oppourtunties but your heart is clear.
H. Lester:
Is that a lesson you passed on to your recruits? don't do what the Captain says, but do what is right?
Captain Thodim:
Not exactly, however I do suggest that when you have the option to do something you don't want to do, you should question it, and also question why someone you trust would put you in such a position.
H. Lester:
So think before you obey an order? make sure it feels right?
Captain Thodim:
Yes, I have a few regrets about jumping in without thinking. I also say that you shold be comfortable to be able to tell the higher ups when they step out of line.
H. Lester:
I have to say I'm surprised to hear this. Usually military and guard duty is all about regulations and rules and standard procedures, and leave very little room for instinct and gut based reactions.
Captain Thodim:
That is why I am saying recently, it was only when I got to give my own orders, I realised this.
H. Lester:
I think that makes you a rare officer, at least my experience in this city has taught me people don't take criticism and questions well.
Captain Thodim:
A good leader should be accountable and able to give orders people can trust, if you dont trust the person giving you the order, then you need to revaluate the unit you are in.
H. Lester:
That makes sense. So in sixteen years when your kid wants to be a soldiers, will you be proud? worried? or try to persuade them to find another job?
Captain Thodim:
I actually thought about this, I will let the child choose, as I did not have the option, moving to a safe places means they will have that option.
H. Lester:
The Thodim I heard about could not sit in a safe corner while a war is going on, you think your kid would be able to?
Captain Thodim:
Honestly, no. However that will be their choice, not mine.
H. Lester:
If you could decide, how would you want the people of Stormwind to remember you?
Captain Thodim:
I hope that I was able to allow them to form their own memories of me. I am never one for trying to be in the spotlight. I want people to remember the things I did, rather than what I say I want, actions speak louder than words, or so they say.
H. Lester:
Thank you Thodim, for your time and your service to this great city. I wish you all the best in your retirement and I am sure Stormwind will be a poorer place without you.
Captain Thodim:
Thank you Mister Lester.
Here at the Lion's Roar we wish Captain Thodim the best in the future and wish him and his family the very best, he will be missed on the streets of Stormwind. He has given a lot of years to the big family which is Stormwind, it is well earned he now focusses on the smaller and closer family.