Amidst military circles, there's a growing view that, of all the Services, the Air Force has the most intelligent enlisted people. This is not just theory, or so it is said, it is a fact that can be clearly demonstrated through scientific analysis:
Take the Army, for instance. When something big happens, the young Army private wakes up to a bellow from the First Sergeant. He grabs a set of cloths out of his foot locker, gets dressed, runs down to the chow-hall for a breakfast on the run, then jumps in his tank. Pretty soon, the Platoon Commander arrives, gives him a big salute, and says,
"Good luck, men."
Consider the Marines. When something big happens, the young Marine recruit is kicked out of bed by his First Sergeant, puts on a muddy set of cloths because he just got back in from the field three hours before. He gets no breakfast, but is told to feel free to chew on his boots. He runs out and forms up with his rifle. Pretty soon, his platoon commander comes out, a young Captain, gives his Marines a Sharp Salute, and says,
"Good luck, Marines!"
In the Navy, when something big happens, the young Sailor is eating breakfast in the mess room.. He walks 20 feet to his battle station, stuffing extra pastries in his pocket as he goes. There he sits, in the middle of a steel target, with nowhere to run, when the Captain arrives and says,
"Good luck, Sailors! I salute you!"
Now in the Air Force, when something big happens, the Airman receives a phone call in his off-base quarters. He gets up, showers, shaves, and puts on a fresh uniform he had just picked up from the BX cleaners the day before. He jumps in his car, and stops at McDonalds for a McMuffin on his way into work.
Once he arrives at work, he signs in on the duty roster and proceeds to his F-16. He spends 30 minutes pre-flighting it, signs off the forms. Pretty soon the Pilot, a young captain gets out and straps into the Plane. He starts the engines.
Our Young Airman stands at attention, gives the Captain a sharp salute, and says,
"Good luck, Sir!"
----------------A Final Thought ...
"Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans.
Spare their women for Thy Sake,
And if that is not too easy
We will pardon Thy Mistake.
But gracious Lord, whate’er shall be,
Don’t let anyone bomb me."- John Betjeman (1906-84), British poet