Now you Know Who's In Charge
sent in by
David Burns
1st Cameronians
1st Q.O. Highlanders

During basic training at Winston Barracks. Lanark, Scotland in 1962 with the 1st Cameronians, I was charged by my platoon corporal for being un-shaven on parade.  I was put on company commander's where the charge was read to me - having dirty boots on parade.  The company commander asked if I understood the charge.  Having watched the many smart lawyers on TV I knew that I had an "out" since they had the wrong charge.  I  pushed out my chest and told the company commander that the charge was incorrect, that the proper charge had been being having dirty boots on parade.  He looked at the corporal with a look that I interpreted as "You screwed up", and without even a blink eye proceeded to say, "Riflemen Burns, you are charged with having dirty
boots and being un-shaven on parade".  It cost me a week's pay to learn that the Army's never wrong.