The major had two young Lts and he needed to promote one to Capt. Their performance and dedication seemed very equal. He anguished over this for several days, even talking to the base Chaplin. The Chaplin suggested he explain his dilemma to the two young Marines and then give them a navigation and recon test. Who ever completed the test first would get the promotion. The two young men, one a crack athlete and football player, the other first in his class in engineering, immediately agreed and were eager to get started. Alright, said the Major, Here is a map. Its shows a complicated course around the base with check points. At each check point there will be a red ribbon. Who ever gets to the check point first takes that ribbon. Near the end of the course, at the far end of the base, is a flag pole. Here are two measuring tapes. I want you to return with the exact height of that flag pole. Understood? They nodded. Then off you go! The two Lts raced around the base, finally getting to the flag pole with an equal number of red ribbons. The football player, being very strong and with tape in hand, tried to climb the pole. But he kept slipping back down. The engineer was measuring the length of the shadow the pole cast in the afternoon sun and trying to triangulate the height based on his great knowledge of trigonometry. The problem was that he wasnt wearing a watch and therefor had to guess at the exact time. He scratched his chin in great thought while the football player slide back down the pole for a third time. At this point a Sergeant came walking along. Excuse me Sirs, but I noticed you working very hard and came over to ask if I could help you with anything. No you cannot, said the engineer. We are trying to find the exact height of this pole. There is no way you could help us. Well, your probably correct, said the sergeant. But could I burrow a tape for just a few seconds. The engineer was shaking his head no but the football player, now exhausted and with skin burns said, Sure, heres my tape. With that the sergeant went over to the pole, lifted it out of its base and measured it. 22 feet, 11 and 1/2 inches, He said. Then he put the pole back in its base and hurried off. The two young Lts looked at one another for a long while. Then the engineer said, Just like an enlisted man. We asked for the height and he gave us the length.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:52:48 +0000