The dozen or so soldiers stood and saluted as the commander entered.
The second in command introduced his superior officer as he came in, saying this would be a tactical lesson, being an important part of their military training programme. Then he told them to sit and took his own seat at the front. The senior army officer took up a marker and approached the large whiteboard. He carefully drew a line across the centre of the board halfway down. Above the line he wrote ‘Enemy Territory’, and below, ‘Our Forces’. He then drew a circle in the lower half.
He turned to his audience and said, “This represents higher ground, an obvious advantage point.” He stood looking around the room, as if he was assuring himself that they all understood what he was saying. After a long pause, he returned to his diagram and began with his marker again.
Below the circle he spent several minutes drawing two little stick figures sitting at a table. The men in the room were growing restless. When they caught occasional glimpses of what was being drawn, furtive looks darted around the room.
He turned to the men, pointing at one of the figures. “This chap,” he announced, “is a vegetarian.” More sly looks and one or two muffled sniggers went around.
The second-in-command coughed and the room fell silent.
At this point, the officer drew a large smiley face in the top right hand corner of the board and, staggering slightly, left the room.
As the door closed the red faced second-in-command rose and turned to face the men, he shrugged, saying, “It’s his meds. Dismissed!”