Psychological dynamics of group survival are what first occur to me about Tunnel In The Sky...although I don't subscribe to the "New Officer to Subordinate Who Used To Be In Charge" fight where the new officer loses and the subordinate knuckles under.

If you can kick your CO's butt, they're not salty enough to lead smile
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Member of the toughest, meanest, deadliest, most unrelenting -- and ablest -- form of life in this section of space, a critter that can be killed but can't be tamed. --Robert A. Heinlein