Lefina Enfield is a victim of circumstance.
Having graduated at the top of her class from the academy, she was immediately promoted from cadet to Lt. Col and given command of the Hiryu Custom, despite being 19 years old, and having no experience.
Her promotion was caused because the man who was SUPPOSED to get it knew too much, and they wanted to keep him quiet. As such, Lefina wound up with an XO who resented her, because he was the best friend of the guy who got passed over.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the head operator for the same ship was the person who had graduated immediately behind her from the same academy, and she resented Lefina for getting not only a massive promotion, but being given her own command - and not just any command, either. The Hiryu Custom is and UNBELIEVABLY big deal.
Then war breaks out, and she finds her ship behind enemy lines, staring down the entirety of the United Colony Corps, and not only does she defeat them all, but she goes on to play an instrumental role in saving the world.
Then, six months later, the world is attacked AGAIN, and the commander of her battle group dies, leaving her in command of the entire Steel Dragon Battle Group, or the GoRyuSenTai.
So she leads her forces to victory, and saves the world a second time.
Katina Tarask is awesome.
Sorry about that.
Ahem.
She has, since that point, lead her forces to victory under hellish circumstances a further two times since then.
All before the age of twenty.