Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD (07/23/20)
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TITLE: The Khaki Green Baseball Cap | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Custer
07/28/20 -
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So it was no surprise when I entered the army that I intended to do my best. However, things did not go as desired.
After I arrived at Ft Jackson my hair was swiftly removed, and I was issued some swanky green fatigues, a pair of shiny black boots and a khaki green baseball cap. The next day was a holiday. We were going to march to the theater to see a movie.
We were in formation and ready to go to the movie when I realized that I forgot my khaki green baseball cap. I was so angry with myself and unsure of what to do. If I went back into the barracks to get my cap, I would risk the ire and humiliation of the drill sergeant. I decided to risk going without my khaki green baseball cap. On the march to the theater, I felt that my bald head stood out like an October moon at midnight.
At the theater I meditated about what they do to people who forget their khaki green baseball cap. Do they get court marshaled? Do they do KP duty for the rest of their enlistment? I didn’t enjoy any of the movie because I was so worried.
Surprisingly, no one noticed on the march to or from the theater.
Be assured Pvt John was never without his cap again. Point being, I learned from my mistake.
All of us make mistakes. No exceptions. We might have the best intentions and always try to put our best foot forward, but undoubtedly things sometimes go wrong.
I appreciate the experiences of General Grant. After he graduated from West Point, he took an assignment in California, but drinking overcame him and he left to return to civilian life. For several years he lived on the edge of poverty, barely providing enough food for his family. Later he again took a military assignment and was quickly promoted. General Grant made a horrible mistake at Shiloh which was the costliest battle in American history but he went on to win the war and ultimately became President. After he retired as President he made a bad investment and lost all of his savings. He had no pension from being President so he spent the rest of his days writing his memoirs so that his wife would have some income to live on after he died. Those were only several of his many mistakes. He did not let those experiences define him.
When you read the biographies of great leaders, you will find that they all made many mistakes.
So when you put your best foot forward and you either trip over it or someone steps on it, don’t give up. Try again. Not everything goes well for everybody all the time.
(non-fiction)
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