ARMY LESSON: SALUTE THE UNIFORM NOT THE MAN

The big Army lesson for me was outlined by a Drill Sergeant.

We were scheduled for an inspection by one of the big guys on base, some colonel named Blackjack something or other.

But Colonel Blackjack got side tracked and they brought out the butter bar from the administrative office to cover for him.

It didn’t go well.

This man was the opposite of everything we were getting drilled to be.

Fat, sloppily dressed, crooked gig-line, he came out with his bad mustache and tried his best, which was weak.

It left us wondering how the guy even got into the Army.

He didn’t know how to do the inspection.

Most of the time the big guy will show up looking like the epitome of Go Army.

All put together in a fresh uniform and frozen face, they would address random rookies and try to spook them with their intensity.

Not this time.

The drills prepared us for the moment when Blackjack would stand in front of one of us, call port arms, yank the rifle out of our hands, snap it around to check for cleanliness, then snap it back to us.

The 2nd Lt tried to yank the rifle out of the first guys hand and missed, jamming his hand.

The next time he got the rifle, but dropped it.

To save further embarrassment the senior Drill Sergeant made a professional move with his approach and salute and took over the inspection.

Like the seasoned pro he was, he moved down the line checking random rookies and called it a day.

Later on he reminded us what happened and why he stepped forward.

His message was the Army lesson of a lifetime.

 

Not The Man, The Uniform

The goal of lifers in the Army was to protect the institution, which means respecting rank.

If you are a non-commissioned officer, you salute commissioned officers.

If you’re an officer, you salute higher rank.

Pretty simple.

But I still didn’t get it, so I dodged every officer I saw.

As a trainee you are a target for the over-amped ROTC or 90 day wonder to abuse.

They have the freedom of putting you through your paces and reporting any problem you might have with it.

You might be an Eagle Scout more ready for service than anyone else, but any 2nd Loo like the sloppy mess at that inspection can take you down.

Not fair? It’s not supposed to be. Just learn the ropes and apply the lessons.

 

Army Lesson For A Commander In Chief

A sloppy officer is bad for moral.

Even worse is a sloppy President.

If you’re out there being all you can be in an Army of One and a non-serving President offers their opinion on the value of duty, you hope they got a lesson on protocol.

If the same guy calls service people losers and suckers for getting killed in the line of duty, it’s not a good look.

What’s the difference between Trump and the sloppy 2nd Lieutenant who couldn’t finish his inspection of the troops?

When the officer was relieved of his duty, he stepped down.

When Trump was relieved of his duties, he had a shit fit that’s lasted four years.

Also not a good look. His behavior makes him look like a sucker and a loser.

On a scale of manliness, someone as soft as Trump needs a new scale.

If it’s his scale he comes out on top, even with his legal problems.

Make Memorial Day one of remembrance for those you call close.

Give thoughts and prayers to the long dead as well as those beside their final resting place.

Save a few for advocates of gun control, women’s rights, and our country.

If a sloppy man wears the uniform, or occupies an important office, they degrade both.

Look for the best combination of man and job, and do your best to put them together.