Fleet Marine Life #93 – Staff Sergeant Says
One day my illiterate Sergeant ordered a fellow Corporal to move all of the food from an ISO container to a nearby location. The Corporal said, “Sure, I’ll use our forklift and we’ll be done in no time.” The grossly overweight Sergeant replied, “No! I didn’t tell you that you could use the forklift!”
The Corporal knew that he was now engaged in a pissing contest. The Corporal respectfully said, “I am qualified to use the forklift and all of the food is on top of warehouse pallets.”
The retarded Sergeant didn’t budge on his original stance despite the presentation of the more efficient idea.
Much time was needlessly wasted over an argument that didn’t need to happen. The pissing contest ended with the Corporal being victorious as he accomplished his task with blinding speed and efficiency.
If an idea is obviously better, why are leaders reluctant to accept these better ideas? Is it because they are so used to the status quo that they fear change? I think so. Status quo does not breed innovation. The Marine Corps is all about the status quo.
Now we got status quo leaders teaching junior Marines nothing but the same old things. If new leaders try to break the status quo cycle by introducing new ideas and more efficient ways, they are quickly attacked and reprogrammed. It’s a cycle where the status quo will forever be the norm unless higher ups break the cycle. But with the way things were going when I left, that will never happen.
Efficient at being inefficient since 1775.
Chesty Puller believed in common sense, was a fighter and was administratively punished several times. He wouldn’t have gone above the rank of LCpl in todays corps.
I love reading your comics, but even more I love reading your posts after the comic. They really do speak the truth, and are written perfectly.
By no means is common sense a virtue in the Marine Corps. Or when it gets this bad an inkling of intelligence. If it weren’t for the Lcpl’s and below things would never get done and it’s always the E-3’s and below who think up practical solutions and more efficient ways to do things.
In the real world, a janitor with a good idea can rise to the top of a corporation. In the mereen corps, a janitor with a good idea stays with the broom.
Very good point Dan. Never thought of that. A good idea can lead to wealth in the private sector whereas a good idea in the marines can be seen as insubordination. Those who work hard stay at the bottom in the marines, which is why lots of good marines get out and the worthless ass kissers stay in.