• hactar42@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    I was in the military and was friends with a guy I worked with. When I got promoted I changed positions, so I didn’t see him much at work, but we still hung out outside of work often.

    One day he did something that could have gotten him in a lot of trouble. I was the only NCO (Sargent) around when it happened. My supervisor offered to take care of the punishment himself because he knew we were friends. I said no, he’s my friend, I witnessed it, so I’ll take care of it. Plus I was able to convince them to just give him some paperwork, instead of more severe punishment he could have had.

    I took him into a private area, explained what he did wrong and that he was only getting paperwork. He didn’t say a word, just signed it and walked out. I tried to go talk to him after work and his roommate came out calling me all sorts of names, asking how I could do that to him, and how I was a power tripping asshole, on and on. I asked if I could talk to my friend and explain and he told me my friend requested I never come back over.

    I was at that base another year and he never talked to me again.

    • Joe Dyrt@lemmy.ml
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      4 days ago

      This is what happens when the rules don’t apply to everybody equally. The military is at the top of the class for doing so. Still it happens; where it appears a “guilty bastard” avoids the usual punishment thru influence, rank, or some other reason. It sets a very bad example, and the troops can get testy if they don’t get the same (perceived) treatment.