Task and purpose.com/5-military-habits-change-civilian-things. I saw this, and it immediately brought to mind advice by two of the greatest criminal investigators of our time. Burt and Ernie took the art and science of criminal investigation and distilled it into one line that covers everything one would want to know about conducting a criminal investigation. “Which one these things is not like the other, which one of these things is not the same…”

I have worked in an environment where the act of loading a stapler is just that an office supply function. I had also worked in an office when the thought occurred simultaneously, ‘Hey this is like servicing a crew served weapons.’ I survived the ensuing firefight, seen the silver arc of staples flying through the air. It helps when you are the one with the staple gun rather than the stapler.

In my civilian environment, I have sweated out my time in the bunker hoping nobody would notice I was gone. Knowing that the bunker was not as impenetrable as the designers would have you believe, you can only wait. Then you hear the hiss, what is going to be: a full string of firecrackers or bottle rockets fired under the bathroom door. Incoming!

Crayons, I don’t need no stinkin crayons, don’t want no crayons. Just as long as I have a pen and a paper napkin I can diagram anything, from a decision matrix to a three car accident. I’d venture to say more accidents have been discussed while huddled over a paper napkin in a coffee shop than any police station.

I had visited this subject before and pointed out the difference in performance between them by their sex. I was accused of being sexist. PoracPonders.com/uncategorized/some-things-men-just-do-better. 

I checked with my sister; she confirmed that I was sexist. In my defense, I confirmed that she had never once attempted to write her name in the snow. Lisa, how hard could that be? If you want to compete, you have to practice, practice, practice.