Explain

(Two weeks after the Secretary of Defence sent out the letters to invite for application, he met again with the Chief Commander.)

"There is only one applicant ! How could that happen ?" The civil servant was obviously surprised.

"That's not entirely unexpected," explained the senior soldier, "People just get used to their old pair of boots."

"But we've got the money and need to submit our homework ... a report I mean," the Secretary grumbled.

"Well, what else could we do ?" the army general asked.

"That's easy. Go and ask all troop leaders in the army to submit a list of names for recommendation - these soldiers will be contacted individually and invited to apply. We shall then do the boot visit and draw lots as planned."

"My original suggestion was to choose suitable soldiers by us. What's the difference here ?" the Chief Commander was puzzled.

"The difference is, we shall ask all troop leaders to provide written explanation for each and every soldier that they do not recommend." The Secretary replied solemnly.