Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Oh, look at my hair -- it's all messed up!
Listen, I am determined not to have another blue Monday
Going to work,
making your way in the army is pretty much the same as in civilian life.
Basically, you have to know your job,
you have to be willing to work,
and you have to know how to get along with people.
While the fundamental requirement may be the same
there are some differences --
a little something extra is needed for the successful military career.
One of the most important ingredients for example
is good military manners.
You know, I really like this post, but I
think it's time for me to move on. I'd really like a new assignment.
Me too. You know, I wish I could get that special assignment in Belgium.
Belgium?
Oh man! I'm available!
Ok, I would give
anything to have that groovy job in Belgium...
just ANYTHING!
Unfortunately Miss Marilyn Vernon has that whole thing filled up. Oh does she? Yeah...
She has about 10
What?
Robertson?
There's no question about it...
I don't know what you two are talking about -- you both know Sue is the only one who has the chance for it.
You're out of your mind!
I'm glad everyone knows exactly who should get my recommendation for that assignment.
Because I don't
I don't. And I'm their commanding officer.
It's not as if one girl is head and shoulders above the other.
They're all fine girls.
And they all deserve the assignment.
How anybody make a sensible decision in a situation like this?
Let me see... Who most
deserves the assignment? Susan?
Marilyn? Carol?
I guess their co-workers know more about them than anyone else
Well, thank you Mr. Jones
So you want to know about Marilyn
We have a fine group of girls in this office. And they do a wonderful job.
I suppose Marilyn has always been a favorite of mine.
She does a wonderful job
Besides, she's kind of nice
to have around.
A wonderful girl.
Okay, she's a hard worker.
We're all hard workers.
What's that got to do with anything?
She's a terrific-looking girl. That hasn't hurt her a but,
believe me.
I guess Marilyn is one of the prettiest girls in my company.
But I must say she doesn't always make the most of it
She forgets herself
and wears jewelry with her uniform.
The extreme hairstyles she wears time to time
don't exactly go well with her WAC uniform
She likes to hike up her skirt so that it becomes a mini-skirt
She's a bright girl
but she's going to have to improve
We don't really frown on wearing jewelry
or dramatic hairstyles
or the new look in clothes
I think
the mini-skirts
pantsuits
bell bottoms are great
in their place
And that's the key
things that are appropriate at the time
and place
For example,
with formal evening wear,
this girl's dramatic makeup, extreme
hairstyle,
are fine
and her gown is beautiful
But iIm sure you'd agree
that sneakers are ridiculous with this kind of costume
Selecting the right makeup
and the right dress are more than matters of taste with us
In one important sense, it's what we mean by military manners
Marilyn would do a good job
but her personal appearance
I still have a decision to make here
Well, let me see...
Carol Robertson would also be good.
She's an entirely different kind of girl
Oh yes
and I tabulated the test results here
They're all summarized at the end of the report with the conclusions that the Colonel gave me
That's real fine, Robertson. Thank you so much. You're welcome
You always depend on Carol. She really applies herself and works hard
In fact, somtimes I think she knows more about what's going on here
than I do.
She's a real marvel.
But that's not just my opinion. Ask anyone. They'll tell you the same thing about
Robertson.
This girl is the most efficient person in this office.
She works *** all the projects,
and, more important,
she's always there to help somebody.
If you look over there, you can see what I mean.
Now let me get this right, Carol
Definitions. If a person..... If I decided on her work alone,
I suppose I would recommend Carol
She does a superb job.
But there's more to it than that
And Carol has to correct a few little problems if she hopes to get
anywhere
Carol is neat,
clean,
and could be attractive.
But I think
she's confused about a few things.
She confuses military bearing
and behavior
with male mannerism
Well, they're not the same thing at all
And her walk
that really is a problem
She's forgotten that the 30 inch step is for the drill field
And that every place else,
you walk like a girl
If she would only learn to walk properly
Now, don't misunderstand me for a moment
I have nothing against Carol
She's a fine girl and I'm very pleased with her work
But every time I see her, she carries herself as if she were on a parade field
I feel that our ladies around here and walk and talk, stand and sit
like young ladies
and I see no reason for them to change just because they're in uniform
You agree? Yes, sir. Fine.
Thank you for coming by.
See what I mean?
A real problem
Now Susan Mayfield
is something else again.
She's not as efficient as Carol
but she is completely feminine at all times.
And let me assure you
that adds to a military effectiveness
She has all the grace and charm that a young girl has
She knows how to walk,
stand, and sit in a graceful,
feminine manner
Good morning. This is Specialist Mayfield speaking.
A new pamphlet was supposed to come in this week. Could you come in and help me find it?
Certainly, ma'am.
She also knows and practices all the rules of military courtesy that she has learned
Good morning, ma'am
Specialist Mayfield, do you have that new DA pamphlet
on the first floor?
Yes ma'am. I filed it just this morning. I'll go and get it for you. Thank you.
Holding doors open,
standing while talking with an officer,
are just a few examples of proper military courtesy.
It shows a sign of respect
which an enlisted person shows her superior
They also serve.
They show the alertness and awareness of the individual.
Those who tend to ignore the proper military courtesy
will also ignore
courtesy in their civilian behavior.
Here you are ma'am
Thank you Specialist Mayfield.
Excuse me ma'am, I believe my phone is ringing. Surely.
One of the most serious problems in proper military etiquette
arises in answering the telephone.
Susan knows how important it is
and she knows how it should be done
Battalion headquarters, Specialist Mayfield, sir.
No, I'm sorry, sir. Captain Foster isn't in right now.
She is expected back at 11:30
Would you like to leave a message, sir?
Yes, I'll see that she gets it.
Major Murphy called
and would like to know
status
of the theater report.
by 1300 hours
this afternoon.
Will there be anything else, sir?
Yes, I'll see that she gets it.
Military manners, yes.
But more than that
correct telephone technique
is an indication of personal effectiveness
and knowing how to get the job done
I suppose self-expression is one of the big problems for many of our girls
and this goes beyond telephone answering alone
in many respects this is as important as their appearance
The trouble here
is that people just don't know what they sound like.
There's all the difference in the world between "That's going to take all
day"
and "I'll get it done it as quickly as possible."
If people could hear themselves, they would realize how important
the right tone of voice,
the right selection of words are.
Well, there you are.
These are just a few of the things that I have to consider
for making my recommendation on which woman will go to Belgium
Many of the women
put in a lot of effort
and never seem to get anywhere
I think
just seeing what is acceptable
and what isn't
may be helpful
For example,
We all know that you shouldn't wear a miniskirt as part of the
uniform
There's no question about that
and that you should walk
in a feminine manner at all times
What we're talking about
applies as much to civilian life
as it does to the military
The key words in both settings
are appropriateness and good taste. Now then.
Who do I recommend for the assignment to Belgium?
As a rule,
it goes to the girl who does something about her career
A girl who gives matter a little thought, a little effort
And the final analysis, though, is up to you