 Future Pope Ratzinger and IDF Paratroopers Liberate Jerusalem…using helmets |
As we all know, the helmet has served soldiers in the IDF in illustrious and impressive fashion over the years. Now comes the sad story of how a helmet may bring about the demise of practical jokes in the Israeli army – unfortunately just before our friend Michael joins.
Yes, Ynet (Yediot), in a feat of extraordinary Pulitzer-worthy reporting, has given Israel the story of the poor, harrowed young IDF recruit who was the victim of **gasp** a practical joke. It appears that some of the older guys around, probably doing their reserve duty and bored to tears, played a joke on the hapless young man. The joke? They created an elaborate scheme to convince him that he has to wear a helmet – used primarily for heroic as well as boring and tedious outdoor combat situations – indoors while sitting at the computer doing his desk job. Using signs and authentic-looking letters on unit letterhead, the guys created an entire ruse and convinced their victim that he needed this combat wear over his head at all times because the roof above him might cave in.
They then proceeded to record the event on film for posterity.
You can just picture these folks cracking up in the next room as the naive 18-year old fell for their silly joke. Comic relief. Who doesn’t need some now and then. But then Ynet came along and reported the story. Next thing you know, the lad is humiliated and the IDF is actually angry at their soldiers and officers who participated in the ruse. They might even face some military prison time.
Huh?
Can’t we just laugh and move on to, uh, you know, important things?
themiddle
12/14/2005
Btw, ck’s brilliant Ratzinger collage reminds me that I miss Tom Morrissey. Where are you Tom?
Geoff
12/14/2005
Out of curiosity, how does one investigate this matter without constantly snickering?
Fivel
12/14/2005
Guys in the U.S. Army play these kind of pranks all the time, most being much worse(and more funny) than this.
Maybe if an officer or senior NCO participated in it, then they should be disciplined, but prison time? Wow
Ariel Beery
12/15/2005
Hey…I think I know that office. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the same one I served in for nearly two years. Why the hell didn’t I think of a helmet prank?
Jameel Rashid
12/15/2005
Actually, the milluimniks didn’t get in trouble for filming the cadet. I heard they got in trouble for blogging about it on jewlicious.
Jewish Mother
12/15/2005
I seem to be out of step or maybe I just don’t know anything about men or military life but my reaction is very severe. I would break them all to private and give them some latrine-digging time. A lot.
My father, when a kid, almost killed another kid who was messing with a blind kid. They had to pull my father off him just in time.
You just don’t abuse the trust of the honest.
Not around me.
Jewish Mother
12/15/2005
My views are strongly influenced by this being the Israeli army, not the American. It is a different situation. Nobody really has to be an Israeli. You have to be a believer. An American can take a bit more ribbing and still be fine. More is going on here.
Jewish Mother
12/15/2005
They damaged this soldier’s willingness to follow future instructions in a fast and trusting way. He will hesitate, second-guess, forever. They have damaged their country’s military, and they should face whatever comes with that.
Jewish Mother
12/15/2005
I hope you are right. I am not a guy. It is another planet.
themiddle
12/15/2005
Nah, all they did was make him feel…like a young pup who doesn’t know the ropes.
There was no cruelty here or harm to a person.