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Years ago, a young Navy Pilot was injured while ejecting from his A-4
Skyhawk due to engine failure during a catapult shot from the aircraft
carrier, but due to the heroics of rescue helicopter and the ship's hospital
staff, the only permanent injury was the loss of one ear.
Since he wasn't physically impaired, he remained on flight status and
eventually became an Admiral. However, during his career, he was always
sensitive about his appearance.
One day, the Admiral was interviewing two Navy Master Chiefs and a Marine
Sergeant Major for his personal staff.
The first Master Chief was a Surface Navy-type, and it was a great
interview.
At the end of the interview, the Admiral asked him, "Do you
notice anything different about me?"
The Master Chief answered, "Why, yes, Admiral. I couldn't help but notice that you're missing your starboard ear, and I don't know whether this impacts your hearing on that side."
The Admiral got very angry at this lack of tact, and threw him out of his
office.
The next candidate, an Aviation Master Chief, when asked this same question,
answered, "Well, yes, Sir. You seem to be short one ear."
The Admiral threw him out, as well.
The third interview was with the Marine Sergeant Major. He was articulate,
extremely sharp, and seemed to know more than the two Master Chiefs put
together.
The Admiral wanted this guy, but went ahead with the same
question. "Do you notice anything different about me?"
To his surprise, the Sergeant Major said, "Yes, Sir. You wear contact
lenses."
The Admiral was impressed, and thought to himself, 'What an incredibly
tactful Marine'.
"And how would you know that?", the Admiral asked.
The Sergeant Major replied:
"Well, Sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with only one fuckin' ear!"
Skyhawk due to engine failure during a catapult shot from the aircraft
carrier, but due to the heroics of rescue helicopter and the ship's hospital
staff, the only permanent injury was the loss of one ear.
Since he wasn't physically impaired, he remained on flight status and
eventually became an Admiral. However, during his career, he was always
sensitive about his appearance.
One day, the Admiral was interviewing two Navy Master Chiefs and a Marine
Sergeant Major for his personal staff.
The first Master Chief was a Surface Navy-type, and it was a great
interview.
At the end of the interview, the Admiral asked him, "Do you
notice anything different about me?"
The Master Chief answered, "Why, yes, Admiral. I couldn't help but notice that you're missing your starboard ear, and I don't know whether this impacts your hearing on that side."
The Admiral got very angry at this lack of tact, and threw him out of his
office.
The next candidate, an Aviation Master Chief, when asked this same question,
answered, "Well, yes, Sir. You seem to be short one ear."
The Admiral threw him out, as well.
The third interview was with the Marine Sergeant Major. He was articulate,
extremely sharp, and seemed to know more than the two Master Chiefs put
together.
The Admiral wanted this guy, but went ahead with the same
question. "Do you notice anything different about me?"
To his surprise, the Sergeant Major said, "Yes, Sir. You wear contact
lenses."
The Admiral was impressed, and thought to himself, 'What an incredibly
tactful Marine'.
"And how would you know that?", the Admiral asked.
The Sergeant Major replied:
"Well, Sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with only one fuckin' ear!"