NAC7815
10-05-2001, 14:46
The Story of Officer Rank Insignia . . . or so the story goes:
A young Second Lieutenant approaches a crusty old Colonel and asks
about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.
The Colonel replies, "Son, it's history and tradition ... First we
give you a gold bar representing that you are very valuable and also
malleable.
The silver bar also represents significant value, but is less
malleable.
When you make Captain, your value doubles, hence the two
silver bars.
As a Colonel you soar over military masses, hence the eagle.
As a General, you are obviously a star. Does that answer your
question?"
"Yes, sir, but what about Majors and Lieutenant Colonels?"
"That, Lieutenant, goes waaaaaay back in history...all the way to
the Garden of Eden.
You see, we've always covered our pricks with leaves."
A young Second Lieutenant approaches a crusty old Colonel and asks
about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.
The Colonel replies, "Son, it's history and tradition ... First we
give you a gold bar representing that you are very valuable and also
malleable.
The silver bar also represents significant value, but is less
malleable.
When you make Captain, your value doubles, hence the two
silver bars.
As a Colonel you soar over military masses, hence the eagle.
As a General, you are obviously a star. Does that answer your
question?"
"Yes, sir, but what about Majors and Lieutenant Colonels?"
"That, Lieutenant, goes waaaaaay back in history...all the way to
the Garden of Eden.
You see, we've always covered our pricks with leaves."