Sergeant Hailpern requests permission from the1st Sergeant to speak to the Troop Commander.
Wait here, Sgt. Hailpern.
Sir, Sgt Hailpern has requested permission to speak to the Captain.
Tell Sgt Hailpern I will see him now.
Yes, sir.
Sgt. Hailpern, you have permission to speak to the Troop Commander.
Thank you, 1st Sgt.
Sir, Sgt. Hailpern has received permission from the 1st Sgt. to speak to the Captain.
At ease, Sgt. Hailpern. What is the problem?
Sir, your bulletin, to the enlisted men in Headquarters Troop, that they all be required to engage in supervised calisthenics in the period of time between noon mess and before work call, does not apply to me. I am the Sergeant Major of the Squadron and, traditionally, that job in the T/O is not subject to extra work schedules unless the Squadron Commander orders it.
But, Staff Sgt. Hailpern, you may call yourself the Sergeant Major, but you don’t have the rank of Master Sergeant.
That’s true, sir, but my Master Sergeant rank is being used to allow the top three grades in Headquarters Troop to advance one grade before being shipped home. I increase in rank each month until I eventually get my Master Sergeant stripes. The fact that I am not a Master Sgt. now, does not detract from the fact that I have the responsibilities of the Sergeant Major and should have the traditional rights that go with it. If not, sir, I would request that I be transferred back to my original B Troop.
1st Sergeant, come here please.
Yes, sir.
I wish to add to the original bulletin, concerning the orders to all troops to engage in calisthenics, a note that all the first three grades are not required unless they so wish to engage, or, they are designated as the drill Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Well, by damn, Hailpern, I didn’t think you had the guts to face down the old man!