The General with No Ears

[BMT (RIP)]

A young Marine officer was severely wounded in the head by a grenade,
but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which
were amputated. Since his hearing wasn't impaired he remained in the
Marine Corps. Many years later he eventually rose to the rank of major
general. He was, however, very sensitive about his appearance. One day
the general was interviewing three Marines, prospects for his
headquarters staff.

The first was an aviator captain, and it was a great interview. At the
end of the interview the general asked him, "D o you notice anything
different about me?" The young officer answered, "Why, yes, Sir, I
couldn't help but notice that you have no ears." The general got very
angry at his lack of tact and threw him out.

The second interview was with a logistics Lieutenant, and he was even
better. The general then asked him the same question, "Do you notice
anything different about me?" He replied sheepishly, "Well, Sir, you
have no ears." The general threw him out also.

The third interview was with a Marine gunnery sergeant, an infantryman
and Staff NCO. He was articulate, looked extremely sharp and seemed to
know more than the two officers combined. The general wanted this guy,
and went ahead with the same question, "Do you notice anything different
about me?" To his surprise the sergeant said, "Yes, Sir, you wear
contact lenses."

The general was very impressed and thought, what an incredibly observant
NCO, and he didn't mention my ears. "And how do you know that I wear
contacts?" the General asked. "Well, Sir," the gunny replied, "it's
pretty hard to wear glasses with no fuckin' ears."