: There's definitely something about the Rookie we've yet to even dream about,
: and while your point about Dioxin is very interesting (I'm not a
: medicalogist, so pardon my interest), I very much doubt that he was once
: in consideration to be an ORION operative. Buck's team would have
: undoubtedly seen him in his cammies and find something amiss at an 81 year
: old terminal lance .

I don't know, he's the Rookie; they know practically nothing about him. And he's only the "Rookie" because he's new to their team, not because he's a new ODST. I don't think it's out of the question to assume they haven't seen him outside of "work." And if he is indeed an ONI operative, he's obviously going to be keeping his secret background...well, secret. That said, he was apparently hand picked by Buck. But if Dare/ONI wanted him on the mission, she could have set Buck up to pick him.