Truism.. (For "Prior Service" here..)

[santahog]

I guess some things really do never change.. 


http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/08/army-times-military-working-dogs-smarter-than-junior-officers/?fb_ref=wp


Army Times: Military Working Dogs Smarter than Junior Officers

by Ron on August 27, 2012 · 22 comments

Military Working DogsNew York, NY - Military Working Dogs are more intelligent than second and first lieutenants, according to an article to be published next week in Army Times.

The article, titled “Who’s Got the Smarts?” examines groups of soldiers from different ranks, military occupation specialties, and career branches, and then orders them by intelligence.

“We factored in several things,” said Times managing editor Richard Brown, “such as test scores, writing samples, and difficulty of day-to-day tasks. Then we took the data and assigned each group a composite intelligence score.”

According to the Times, the top three smartest groups in the Army are brain surgeons, CBRN officers, and JAG Corps attorneys.

The bottom three? First lieutenants, followed closely by second lieutenants, and then military working dogs.

Pentagon sources have confirmed that in light of the article’s findings, Army brass has approved a policy to award Military Working Dogs the rank of Captain upon completion of basic dog training.

A 2009 study found that the average dog has the cognitive ability of a two-year-old child, which Brown says is perfectly in line with his publication’s rankings.

“A dog can perform basic arithmetic and can count to four or five,” Brown said. “They read body language, have an innate sense of basic fairness, and find their way through the woods. I challenge you to show me a first or second lieutenant who can do any of that.”

“To be fair,” Brown countered, “the LTs did display the ability to shit in a toilet and hold their bowel movements until an appropriate time, giving them a slightly higher ranking in that category than the MWDs that haven’t been housebroken yet.”

Not everyone agrees with the findings.

“I have no doubt that every single K-9 in my unit is smarter than a PFC,” said Army Sgt. Tyrell Wiggins, a dog handler from the 503d Military Police Battalion at Ft. Bragg. “I mean, Sparky here can sniff out bombs and can follow basic commands. I’d like to see a PFC do either of those things. And sure, he sometimes eats other dogs’ shit, but you wouldn’t ever catch him buying a 2003 Mustang for $24,000 and 14% financing.”

Brown said it’s unfair, however, to look at one factor alone when determining intelligence. PFCs may indeed act like knuckleheads, but unlike junior officers, they aren’t innately dumb. They can eventually grow and mature, while junior officers must remain forever clueless.

“The data we have suggests that lieutenants are a special kind of stupid,” Brown said.

Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/08/army-times-military-working-dogs-smarter-than-junior-officers/?fb_ref=wp#ixzz2BdYu0JnF
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[tombogan03884]

“To be fair,” Brown countered, “the LTs did display the ability to shit in a toilet and hold their bowel movements until an appropriate time, giving them a slightly higher ranking in that category than the MWDs that haven’t been housebroken yet.”


ROFLMAO

[jnevis]

I SO needed that today.

[rant]
20 years of avionics and special projects background but I can't get hired doing the job I've been DOING for 6 years because I don't have  degree, while the company that won the contract for my job expects to be able to do this with a recent college grad with no experience.
[/rant]

[Solus]

I used to say that the most dangerous thing in the Army was a 2LT with a map.   

[Jrlobo]

If it weren't for M1 pencils, there would have been no 1 or 2LT's in my army. God only knows where them shots went. It took until they made Capt when they realized that it was the dog soldier in the pits that saved their careers. Oh, just loved them Maggie's drawers back then!

[Sponsor]

[2HOW]

Butter bars are worse than privates, because they can be stupid and get away with it.

[ellis4538]

Dog doesn't even need a map!

Richard


PS:  Solus, I might qualify a firearm of any type or sharp pointy object including a pencil and crayon right up there with a map!!!  JMHOFWIW

[Solus]

Dog doesn't even need a map!

Richard


PS:  Solus, I might qualify a firearm of any type or sharp pointy object including a pencil and crayon right up there with a map!!!  JMHOFWIW

In the really bad specimens, I'd say you are right.

Without a map the LT won't have a clue what to do and will follow any enlisted man who looks like he knows were he is going.  Give him a map to study and he'll decide he has to lead the way to someplace on it.

I guess anything might work the same way.

[fatbaldguy]

On a related note, my new boss is medically discharged airborne, Iraq and Afghanistan vet.  Captain, company commander and all that.

He's in over his head, but doesn't know it.  Like any senior enlisted with a junior officer, I never ask him what to do.  I tell him what I'm doing.  So far he's good with it.  Give him a map?  The dumbass jumped out of perfectly good airplanes!  Need I say more?

[bulldog75]

Most of the time we were pushed because the aircraft is worth more than the troops inside. The Air force guys do not like AA rounds and an airplane discharging troops is a high value target. I still have an outline of a size 11 on my arse cheek.