None Other Than a Soldier

As a newly commissinaed infantry¹ lieutenant², I was eager to set an example for my platoon by cleaning my own M-16 rifle. While we were working on the weapons, one soldier complained about the unusual notched³ shape of the M-16's bolt and chamber⁴, which makes it difficult to clean.

"Lieutenant, they need to make something to clean this with," the soldier said.

"They do," piped up a sergeant⁵.

"Really," I said with surprise, wondering why we had not ordered such a tool.

"Yes, sir," replied the sergeant. "It's called a soldier."

正是士兵

作为一名新上任的步兵中尉，我通过擦拭自己的M-16式自动步枪给全排作个榜样。我们一块擦枪，一名战士抱怨由于M-16的枪栓枪膛的特别凹形结构，擦起来十分困难。

“中尉，应该制造一种擦这枪的工具。”士兵说。

“已经制造出来了。”一军士尖叫。

“真的？”我十分诧异，纳闷为什么我们没有定购这种工具。

“真的，长官，”军士答道，“它就是士兵。”