My apologies in advance to any Sigs types out there reading this thread...We all know the importance of clear, accurate, and concise communications, but every now and then a little fun during training is allowed, n'est-ce pas?
One of the things we had to practice on exercise was use of the PRC 77 set, the phonetic alphabet, and radio procedures. For some reason they chose to teach us this after our evening meal and after our two alloted beers. Well, it was supposed to be only two beers, per man, per day but some of us befriended the Mess Clerk and received the beers not taken by the tea totallers in our unit. And all this after a very long 14 hour day setting up the MAGs on the runway. Anyway, We sat down with a Sigs corporal and proceeded with the lesson. First off, the phonetic alphabet. We were to repeat a series of call signs back to the cpl., but our Sgt. Major., an old F.E. from way back and not the brightest lure in the tackle box had a problem with alliteration.
"O.K., repeat after me," said the Sigs Cpl, "Alpha Delta"
"Alpha Delpha!", replied our Sgt. Major.
"No, it's Alpha Delta!", repeated the Cpl.
"That's what I said!", grumped our Sgt. Major, "Alpha Delpha!"
The chortles subsided and the frustrated Cpl., realizing arguing with the Sgt. Major would lead nowhere turned his attention to Cpl Burkowski, our WFE Tech.
"O.K., corporal, repeat after me, Alpha Delta"
"Abba Dabba!", Burkowski proudly replied.
"No corporal, it's A..L..P..H..A D..E..L..T..A!"
"A..B..B..A D..A..B..B..A," mumbled Burkowski.
The Sigs Corporal, realizing that he wasn't getting anywhere with the phonetic alphabet, changed tack.
"O.K., let's try radio procedures. Never use the word REPEAT when asking for more information as Artillery, if on the net, may mistake that as a request for another salvo. Always use the the words: SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER...", said the Sigs Cpl.
"Corporal Cadieux, ask me to repeat what follows after this partial sentence. MY PEN IS........."
"My penis?", inquires Cpl. Cadieux, who always had trouble with English.
"No, no, no. You must use the phrase: SAY AGAIN ALL AFTER!"
"Say again all after MY PENIS?" asked the confused Cadieux.
"No NO No!, not my penis, MY PEN IS!"
"Your penis?", the evermore confused Cpl. Cadieux asked.
Of course, by now the tent had erupted into gales of laughter, and even the poor Sigs Corporal busted a gut laughing as he realized the humour of the situation. Even our crusty Sgt. Major had tears rolling down his eyes. Needless to say, class was dismissed until the next morning.
CHIMO!