Military Officer - April 2008 - (Page 92) encore In the Hot Seat A young second lieutenant wonders if he’ll ever get over an embarrassing mishap while embarking on his first military social call. Thankfully everyone has a good sense of humor! A s a newly commissioned secand would be with us shortly. ond lieutenant in 1949, I joined a We were ushered into the thousand other new Army second living room, where we stood lieutenants at Fort Riley, Kan., for a fiveby our seats. We waited until month course of instruction to prepare us Mrs. Stephens had taken her for the years ahead. Most of the classes seat before we all sat down; I were repetitive, but there were exceptions, felt lucky to have a large, comand one of those exceptions included infortable-looking leather chair. struction on how to make a social call. Back But as soon as I sat down, then, newly assigned officers were expectI leapt back up: Warm liqed to make a social call on their commanduid permeated my trousers ing officer, and there were strict rules on across the seat and onto how to do it — 15 to 20 minutes in length, my lap. Silence fell over the one drink if offered, one cigarette if so inroom as everyone stared at vited, the correct number of calling cards me and then looked to Mrs. to be left, etcetera. Any officer who wanted Stephens. She was reduced to to make a good impression on his new a shocked stutter when she commander was very much interested in realized what had happened. correctly performing this particular duty. It seems the baby had been placed on the Our course consisted of some classroom chair before being taken to bed, and her instruction, followed by a practical exercise diaper had sprung a leak. in which we made a social call on our faculAn awkward silence fell across the ty advisors. We were divided into groups of room. Then Buckley saved the day. “Mrs. eight for the exercise, and in my group was Stephens,” he said, “please forgive Lieutena very glib, likeable character named Buckant Conner. This is his first social call, and ley. We were glad to be with him because he he is extremely nervous.” Of course, evwas never at a loss for words. We knew with eryone laughed at my expense. When Mrs. him present there would be no awkward Stephens found the appropriate words for silences as we tried to think of something to the situation, she apologized profusely and say while avoiding the taboo subjects of reli- gave me a couple of towels to sit on. gion, women, or professional work. I made several more military social All dolled up in our finest Class-A unicalls, and I always carefully examined my forms, we gathered at Captain Stephens’ chair before I sat down. Thankfully, all residence precisely at the assigned time. eight of us scored well that day! MO Mrs. Stephens greeted us and invited us in, explaining that her husband was changing — Judson J. Conner is a retired Army colonel. their infant daughter and putting her to bed He is a member of the Golden Isles (Ga.) Chapter. 92 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2008 Tell Your Story I Share your service- related adventures (or mishaps) by e-mail to encore@moaa.org, or mail them to Encore Editor, 201 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. All submissions will be considered for publication. ILLUSTRATION: ELWOOD SMITH
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