These extracts from Lessons and Discoveries contain a highly subjective account of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at Marby College, detailing many of the things that Martin Rigby Smith found tiresome about it.The CCF provided good things too, especially the trip to France in the Easter holidays, which included some first time teenage experiences for Martin. Rugby is featured in the second half of the book, its good, bad, and entertaining sides, and tensions felt before matches. Dominating everything, however, in Marby College rugby is the shrewd and persuasive rugby coach Mr Galland who is both humorously and admiringly portrayed.