More on Language from Sgt. Charleston

One of the life benefits of the old drafted army was the diversity.  Draftees came from many ways of life, and all corners of the nation, including Puerto Rico.

As an Ozarker, I had for sure never before run up against anyone like Ricco.  Ricco was New York street corner Italian, with all the Tomato Sauce attitude, swagger, and self-esteem that went with it.  He ran head on into Sgt. Charleston on the second day of Basic.

Sgt. C strode into the barracks.  “Gentlemen’s, I will call your names.  When you hear your names, you will respond with a loud and clear, ‘Heah, SAH-junt.’ Is that clear?”  And he began to call names.  Recruits responded with the requested term, and various levels of enthusiasm.  About 20 names in, he came to Ricco.

“Ricco.”

“Yo.”

Sgt. C didn’t look up from his clipboard.  “Gentlemens, ‘Yo’ is not a word that will be spoken in my Army.  I am SAH-JUNT Charleston.

“I am not, You’

“I am not, ‘Hey’

“I am not, ‘Dude’

"I am not, ‘Man’.”

He looked up.  “I am, ‘SAH-junt.  That is how you will address me.  You will use one of three ways to speak to me.  You will say, ‘Heah, SAH-junt,’ or ‘Yes, SAH-junt,’ or ‘No excuse, SAH-junt.’  You will never damage my ears with a ‘Yo,’ is that clear?  And, above all, you will never call me ‘Sir.’  Sir, is an officer.  I am a Sah-junt, the finest title that can ever be applied to a man.  An officer is a gold-plated brass candy-ass, who struts his congressionally appointed self about, drinks at the O Club, and pretends to run this Army while the sergeants are accomplishing the mission.  And, finally, an officer, from Lieutenant to General, is someone you will address as ‘Sir,’ you will salute, and you will give your ultimate respect.  Is THAT clear?”

“And, if you happen to see a Lieutenant with a map, you will respectfully, and gently, turn the top to North for him.”

“Now.  Ricco.”

“Yo…………sah-junt.”