Customs and Courtesies vs. Common Sense
The following exchange was witnessed when exiting an on-base barber shop at MCAS New River, NC.
An Army Second Lieutenant attempted to verbally reprimand a Marine Sergeant Major for not rendering a hand salute when they crossed paths. The Sergeant Major was wearing his Service Alpha uniform and of course had service stripes up to his elbow. Without even so much as breaking his stride the salty old SGTMAJ replied, " Take a friggin' walk on my hash marks, boy!" The embarrassed soldier had the common sense to remain silent and walk away, hopefully taking with him a valuable learning experience.