A Regimental Sergent Major at an Army Base in Cyrpus has been given the job of telling a young Private that his father has died. So he tells him during the Morning Parade:
"PRIVATE JENKINS, ONE PACE FORWARD, QUICK MARCH!" he shouts.
Private Jenkins takes one pace forward.
"PRIVATE JENKINS, YOUR FATHER IS DEAD!!! ONE PACE BACKWARD, QUICK MARCH!!!"
Private Jenkins takes one pace backward. He is visibly upset by this, although he tries to maintain his composure.
The Regimental Chaplain happens to be walking past at the time, and he can see that the young Private is upset. After offering him some words of comfort after Parade, the Chaplain then goes up to the RSM:
"What was that???? His father has just died!!!! You don't tell people like that!!!! You need to be subtle bout these things!!!! Please remember that next time!!!!"
A few weeks later, Private Jenkins' mother passes away, and the RSM is again given the task of telling him.
"Remember: subtle!!!" the Chaplain tells him.
So at the end of Parade, the RSM says:
"ALL THOSE WITH MOTHERS, FALL OUT!!!!! PRIVATE JENKINS!!!!! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING????!!!!"
"PRIVATE JENKINS, ONE PACE FORWARD, QUICK MARCH!" he shouts.
Private Jenkins takes one pace forward.
"PRIVATE JENKINS, YOUR FATHER IS DEAD!!! ONE PACE BACKWARD, QUICK MARCH!!!"
Private Jenkins takes one pace backward. He is visibly upset by this, although he tries to maintain his composure.
The Regimental Chaplain happens to be walking past at the time, and he can see that the young Private is upset. After offering him some words of comfort after Parade, the Chaplain then goes up to the RSM:
"What was that???? His father has just died!!!! You don't tell people like that!!!! You need to be subtle bout these things!!!! Please remember that next time!!!!"
A few weeks later, Private Jenkins' mother passes away, and the RSM is again given the task of telling him.
"Remember: subtle!!!" the Chaplain tells him.
So at the end of Parade, the RSM says:
"ALL THOSE WITH MOTHERS, FALL OUT!!!!! PRIVATE JENKINS!!!!! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING????!!!!"