Please help identify this short story

[Claudia]

In this old classic short story, cadets or ensigns or whatever in the space service must pass a test before a trainer will accept them for a training cruise. A famously difficult but effective trainer provides an impossible test: assembling two machines from a pile of components which lacks parts critical to complete either of the machines. The trainer accepts for the cruise those students who spend all their time plugging away at one or another of the 2 machines, but turns away those who go back and forth unsuccessfully.

The trainer also reluctantly accepts one candidate who recognizes the test as one of character rather than machine-building, and so completes each machine as far as possible with the components provided, even making one work by cutting and fusing energy sources.

The trainer and the accepted candidates set off for the cruise, whereupon the trainer turns everything over to the candidates and declares that he expects to die in space.

Subsequently, the trainer sabotages various ship processes and watches the candidates do or die. The trainer gets away with his tactics because senior naval officers know he turns out the best-trained personnel.

What was the name and author of this story? Anybody recognize it?

[Phil]

I'll be shocked if it wasn't Heinlein, but I don't know for sure.

[Jim]

I don't think it's a Heinlein story, but I can't say who it is. Could have been a Tom Corbett story. They were inspired by Heinlein & I think he had something to do with some of them. I don't think it's a Lucky Starr book by Asimov, either. Space cadets in tight spots is a pretty common theme.

[[deleted user]]

Phil wrote: "I'll be shocked if it wasn't Heinlein, but I don't know for sure."

It does have that Space Cadet feeling to it, but not a specific plot I recall. (Didn't the cadets have to pass a test of character by closing their eyes and filling a milk bottle with marbles? Raise your hand if you remember what a milk bottle was.)

[Jim]

I thought the milk bottle was 'Starship Troopers', but you're probably right. It's been a long time since I read either one, especially 'Space Cadet'. I do remember what a milk bottle was, although mostly from old ones being around. I think the service quit when I was about 4. Hard to recall since we had goats, so often drank their milk & that was a long time ago. I did get one of my early sets of stitches due to whacking my head on the corner of the milk box, though.

[Kivrin]

You can also post this info on the "What's the Name of this Book?" discussion group here at Goodreads.

I first thought of Tom Corbett myself, but it's been so long since I read those, I couldn't be sure.

[Stephen]

        Definitely not Heinlein, and yes, I remember milk bottles.

[[deleted user]]

I can rember seeing the milk truck before the school bus showed up

:)