Stories
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So I did as they said and memorized one, probably the fifth or sixth, since I thought the first or second might be used too often. But I also familiarized myself with the general content of some of the others, so I could test the veracity of the theory.
Sure enough, at the Saturday morning inspection, he asked general orders. "Private Whenever, what is your third general order?" "Sir! My third general order is: To call the sergeant of the guard in any case not covered by instructions. Sir!"
Now I knew that was not the third general order and so I expected fireworks. The Major hesitated a minute, a tip-off to the initiated that he was not sure himself, but then he said. "Very good Private Whenever." And so it went. He stopped in front of me and looked me up and down. Then he said, "Present arms!" I had to lift the rifle off my shoulder and snap it out in front of me horizontally so he could take it and inspect it. He looked it all over and down the barrel. "Specialist A, this rifle is dirty. Clean it and present it to me in my office before you can leave post". I had already cleaned it so I was not sure what more I could do, and became somewhat dispirited.
When we got into the barracks I started to get out my gun cleaning gear, (always said as 'weapon' in front of the brass) when Private Cruise comes up and says, "You don't need to clean it. Just wait an hour and then take it to him and tell him you cleaned it. He won't know the difference."
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