I've had a chance to go to a few Army schools.
The funniest thing to see is to watch them when two Alpha types approach each other (rank immaterial) and to observe the quick dick measuring that goes on.
What the fuck am I talking about?
I'm talking about the cursory examination of each other to see who has what skill badges, tabs etc... No Jump wings when talking to a paratrooper? Subhuman leg or a Marine. No Ranger tab? Subhuman slacker or a Marine. No Air Assault wings? Subhuman leg, slimy Paratrooper (that doesn't have the good sense to go to Air Assault School) or a Marine.
I picked up the "measuring dicks" metaphor from an Army buddy that explained what was going on when I asked him why guys were checking each other out so hard (I was mystified...the old Corps way is to be as buff as possible, make sure your uniform is squared away and eye contact was essential or you're passive and weak). Well American Mercenary takes it all on when talking about the Ranger Tab. Check it out here and let me know what you think.
NOTE:
Now I know I'm old. Dick measuring in this instance was a metaphor to see who was the biggest baddest fucker in the room. I forgot that homosexuality is now mainstream and that liberal or gay readers might take it as a literal occurrence that happened between warfighters. I stand corrected and will be much more aware of the changing cultural norms and the way that liberal, non-military, or homosexual readers will take my words. My apologies to American Mercenary. I had no idea that an honest reflection of a conversation from long ago would be twisted in such a way. I assure you that I've learned from this and will never recount a telling of any incident (something I've shied away from) because it will inevitably be misconstrued, purposefully twisted to mean something else or all of the above but with malicious intent.
