tag:www.thedonovan.com,2012://1/tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923- 2012-03-24T15:26:09Z We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 Movable Type 4.12 tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923 2008-10-29T13:48:05Z 2008-10-29T13:58:20Z

The Armorer http://www.thedonovan.com
Difference between Officers and NCOs

A young Marine officer was severely wounded in the head by a grenade, but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which were amputated. Since his hearing wasn't impaired he remained in the Marine Corps. Many years later he eventually rose to the rank of major general. He was, however, very sensitive about his appearance. One day the general was interviewing three Marines, prospects for his headquarters staff:

The first was an aviator captain, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the general asked him, 'Do you notice anything different about me?' The young officer answered, 'Why, yes, sir; I couldn't help but notice that you have no ears.' The general got very angry at his lack of tact and threw him out.

The second interview was with a logistics Lieutenant, and he was even better. The general then asked him the same question, 'Do you notice anything different about me?' He replied sheepishly, 'Well, sir; you have no ears.' The general threw him out, also.

The third interview was with a Marine Gunny sergeant, an infantryman and Staff NCO. He was articulate, looked extremely sharp, and seemed to know more than the two officers combined. The general wanted this guy, and went ahead with the same question, 'Do you notice anything different about me?'

To his surprise the sergeant said, 'Yes, sir; you wear contact lenses.'

The general was very impressed and thought, what an incredibly observant NCO, and he didn't mention my ears. 'And how do you know that I wear contacts?' the General asked. 'Well, sir;' the gunny replied, 'it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no freaking ears, sir. "]]> tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79866 Ymarsakar ]]> 2008-10-30T20:27:36Z 2008-10-30T20:27:36Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79853 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com ]]> 2008-10-30T18:13:17Z 2008-10-30T18:13:17Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79847 Ymarsakar ]]> 2008-10-30T16:54:04Z 2008-10-30T16:54:04Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79831 Maggie http://bostonmaggie.blogspot.com
Let's see.

Mike is not George - check.

The Chief is gross in a 3rd grade kinda way - check

Mike is more gross and proud of it - check.

JTG has an obsessive compulsive need to excel and does so handily in this forum.

*Princess Crabby closes her wheelbook and tucks it in the pocket of her favorite green silk wrapper.*

Thanks, that was great, but really I just came over to brag that I got thefirst pic from the Fishmugger's trip.]]> 2008-10-30T03:27:04Z 2008-10-30T03:27:04Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79803 John of Argghhh! http://www.thedonovan.com 2008-10-29T14:53:18Z 2008-10-29T14:53:18Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79801 Justthisguy http://enemiesofthelibrary.blogspot.com I thought that was a Georgia Tech joke, Bill. That's where I heard it. Speaking of which, my fingernails seem to be getting thinner and brittler as I get old. Hard to keep 'em long and smooth enough to root around in there efficiently. 2008-10-29T14:52:06Z 2008-10-29T14:52:06Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79800 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com
Mike is *not* George...
]]> 2008-10-29T14:51:12Z 2008-10-29T14:51:12Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79798 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com ]]> 2008-10-29T14:47:20Z 2008-10-29T14:47:20Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79797 RetRsvMike ]]> 2008-10-29T14:44:43Z 2008-10-29T14:44:43Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79796 John of Argghhh! http://www.thedonovan.com
And not Greenwald's.]]> 2008-10-29T14:41:47Z 2008-10-29T14:41:47Z tag:www.thedonovan.com,2008://1.9923-comment:79794 BillT http://www.thedonovan.com
Wellsir, one night in the O'Club, George -- I'll call him George because that was his name -- and I were imbibing and the subject of Higher Edjamacation arose:

"Bill, after about the first week I met you, I could tell you're an ROTC grad."

"Howzat, George?"

"Easy -- you're military bearing is just a bit off, even though your posture's great; you have a camaraderie with your NCOs, although it never goes over the line into fraternization; your salute's just a bit *too* perfect; and you leave staff meetings immediately to go inspect the kitchen in your chow hall and the weapons in your arms room instead of sitting with the other commanders discussing the training schedule. You're not a *bad* officer, it's just, well, you just act like a Reservist, ya know?"

"Gee, thanks for that, George. It's funny, but the very first time I met you, I could tell you were a West Pointer."

"Ah. Was it the extra-sharp crease in my fatigues or the mirror-finish on my boots?"

"Neither. I saw your ring while you were picking your nose."
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