My Story 16.2

You may learn something from the following story! One day, in the army, we were going away for a day of field training. Actually out in the field we were trained in battle the military way. Split in two groups, one attacking, one defending, we were instructed in how and when to use your weapon, when to use hand grenades, how to kill an enemy in hand to hand combat, how to recover the wounded and dead, that sort of thing. The most of the day we were crawling around, hiding in the bushes and shooting blanks at each other. The only thing I clearly remember was that I ended up in a "foxhole" with some guys and we started to play cards. Eventually we were discovered by the sergeant. "Why are you guys not out there fighting?" he demanded. One guy replied: "Sir, we are casualties, we are all dead" Another added: "We are waiting for the recovery team!" "And to be buried with military honours......." The serge shook his head and uttered a word I can not print here, and disappeared.

Exactly one week later we were ordered to go on the very same exercise. Protesting, we nevertheless went and drove out to the same location. There we had to line up for a speech from the sergeant. Obviously, who ever does the thinking on our behalf had made a mistake. This is what the sergeant said: "One thing you must remember, you always cover it up when a superior makes a mistake. His career depends on the approval of his superiors. We could go and point it out, but believe me it is easier on everybody if you cover it up. Here is what we will do: Just north of us is an old castle, the "Muider Slot". If you would rather go sight-seeing then crawling in the mud, raise your hand. One condition: You must NEVER tell anybody. You must now also cover up for your sergeants. If you ever talk about this you will endanger our careers as well."

In addition to removing those obstacles from the careers of these men, we began to feel a sense unity in the platoon. Really! We really had an increased sense of belonging. This way of building morale should be useful for any person in leadership. Sergeant Haase, and sergeant Timmers were not that crazy after all.