...And who knows what got lost in translation along the way. Maybe by the time it got back to this guy's boss it was all mumble-jumbled as to what was said.
A story:
GETTING THE WORD
Once upon a time a Colonel issued the following directive to his Executive Officer (XO):
"Tomorrow evening at approximately 2000 hours, Halley's Comet will be visible in this area; an event which occurs only once every 75 years. Have the men fall out in utilities (fatigues) and I will explain this rare phenomenon to them. In the event of rain, we will not be able to see anything, so assemble the men in the theater and I will show them films of it."
XO to Company Commanders:
"By order of the Colonel, tomorrow at 2000 Halley's Comet will appear above the Battalion area. If it rains, fall the men out in utilities, then march to the theater where the rare phenomenon will take place, something which only occurs once every 75 years."
Company Commander to Lieutenant:
"By order of the Colonel, be in utilities at 2000 tomorrow evening, the phenomenal Halley's Comet will appear in the theater. In case of rain, in the Battalion area, the Colonel will give another order, something that will occur every 75 years."
Lieutenant to Sergeant:
"Tomorrow at 2000, the Colonel will appear with Halley's Comets, something which occurs every 75 years. If it rains, the Colonel will order the Comets into the Battalion area and the performance will go there."
Sergeant to the troops:
"When it rains tomorrow at 2000, the phenomenal 75-year old General Halley, accompanied by the Colonel, will drive his comet through the Battalion area theater going 75 miles an hour dressed in utilities."
This is my combination Marine Corps birthday, Veteran's Day and miscommunication story for this thread. :thumbleft: