A young Naval Officer was in a terrible car accident, but
due to the heroics of the hospital staff the only permanent injury was the
loss of one ear.
Since he wasn't physically impaired he remained in the
military and eventually became an Admiral. However, during his career he
was always sensitive about his appearance.
One day the Admiral was interviewing two Navy Master Chiefs
and a MarineSergeant Major for his personal staff.
The first Master Chief was a Surface Navy type and it was a
great interview. At the end of the interview the Admiral asked him, "Do you
notice anything different about me?"
The Master Chief answered, "Why yes sir. I couldn't help but
notice you are missing your starboard ear, so I don't know whether this
impacts your hearing on that side."
The Admiral got very angry at this lack of tact and threw
him out of his office.
The next candidate, an Aviation Master Chief, when asked
this same question, answered, "Well yes sir, you seem to be short one ear."
The Admiral threw him out also.
The third interview was with the Marine Sergeant Major. He
was articulate, extremely sharp,
and seemed to know more than the two Master Chiefs put
together. The Admiral wanted this guy, but went ahead with the same
question.
"Do you notice anything different about me?"
To his surprise the Sergeant Major said, "Yes, sir. You wear
contact lenses."
The Admiral was impressed and thought to himself, what an
incredibly tactful Marine. "And how do you know that?" the Admiral asked.
The Sergeant Major replied, "Well sir, it's pretty hard to
wear glasses with only one fuckin' ear."
LTG : )