Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim O
|
Hi Jim,
I don't think. And not negative selection either. It was phenomenon which was quite common in conscription based armies.
To explain I may write a bit longer story. At first terminology. In polish useless conscript was usually called "oferma" similar to "dumb" in english. Australians use word "paluka".
In any voluntary army dumbos are selected either in recruitment process or during boot camp. In Warsaw Pact armies dumbos could have brisk military careers.
Below is very possible scenario.
At squad level dumbo is recognised just after receiving uniform. Squad leader immediately reports to platoon commander - We have a dumbo...
The way of thinking of average second lieutenant or seargant is as such:
- Dumbo in my platoon mean, failed test, exams and as the result no leaves for my soldiers and no promotion for me. How to get rid of him?
Well, next week I have to pick up two candidates for divisional non-coms school. He will be one of them!
This is how career of dumbos like my captain started. Consecutive promotions were always signed in order to "get rid of this bloody, dumb idiot".
Officers like him were called "eternal captains". (He was well in his forties). Usually when they reached this level, someone a bit smarter higher up the ladder realised that promoting idiot to major and higher would cause real damage.
But what to do with him?
Just nothing... Move him to the unit in which he can cause minimal damage.
AAA was one of them.
In reality our captain caused a real disaster ending with death of innocent men, but I will tell this story later.
Cheers,
Lancer44