Is there something you always carry on you, even if it’s seen better days?
In August of 1977, I was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Army. I was just about to receive semichah, and I served as chaplain. For six weeks, I was stationed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, in a cohort of 100 Christian chaplains. Major Menner was assigned to command us.
I was in no shape for basic training. I repeatedly embarrassed myself on the obstacle course, and the major cursed me with repulsive language. Violating military protocol, I demanded that he speak to me without cursing. To his credit, the major said nothing.
Each morning, a different colonel began class by sharing a joke with the chaplains. The jokes were always of extremely offensive nature. After a couple of days, I learned that this behavior was “normal.” Thereafter, I again violated military protocol by arriving ten minutes late each day to avoid the offensive joke.
When our training concluded, Major Menner invited us to a formal dinner where we were to appear in dress uniforms. Still in kollel, I asked the major where I could rent one.
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