The Chaplain

How long -- can you hear someone crying
How long -- can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?
--How Long, Jackson Browne

Q:If you’re going to make a parachute jump,
at least how high should you be?
A: Three days of steady drinking should do it
--Charley Weaver (Hollywood Squares)

Sister Christian
Oh the time has come
And you know that you're the only one
To say O.K.
--Sister Christian, Night Ranger
______________

This weekend Ranger met another Ranger wearing an EIB, Junior Jumpwings and Air Assault Badge. His hair was high and tight and he wore the new Army Combat Uniform. He also was a chaplain.

This Ranger began his usual conversation with a new Ranger buddy expecting the usual outcome, but always hopeful anyway when meeting a man of the cloth.

Ranger opined that chaplains -- as non-combatants -- should neither receive nor wear Combat Action Badges since their mission was one of Christianity or godliness. Further: "Do you primarily serve God, or the Army?"

New Ranger: I serve both.
Old Ranger: What would you do if you saw a soldier torturing a prisoner?
New Ranger: Soldiers do not torture prisoners. We are done here -- the discussion is over.

Dismissed, without so much as a blessing. Ranger was left to ponder the exchange. He left thinking: one of these Rangers is seriously off-base.