The Commander's Wife is Pamela Grayson; Commander Grayson an average soldier willing to take a chance, requiring action beyond his own high code of ethics, so that he would achieve a position of prominence not otherwise available to him. In marrying him, Pamela has gained a measure of respectability not otherwise hers, and assured of its continuation, albeit through mediocrity. A newly minted Academy Lieutenant, Richard Hartley becomes opportunistic upon Pamela's persuasion, even though against the Commander's ultimate goal of redemption. The Commander's Wife tells of the immorality of amorality, the devastating effects of putting one's self and others at risk solely for the excitement of their reactions and one's own.