"You're about the dumbest smart person I ever met"

I came across a thread in /r/militarystories titled "Unscathed: How I got away with telling a drill sergeant to 'Shut the F*ck Up'" that reminded me of something that happened to me during recruit training back in 2007.

My platoon was in good ol Camp Pendleton, California , for a bit of relative respite, after winning the Teams Week competition. I recall we were in a squadbay above Japanese Marines that were there for unrelated training. So, let's get to the story:

Have a bit more mild of a story involving a misunderstanding with my Drill Instructor, a Staff Sergeant.

So, I was singled out because my MOS (Military Occupational Speciality) had to do with computers and he called me into the duty hut to look at some shit he was trying to do with MS paint.

The particulars are faint as this was over 10 years ago. May have been trying to crop an animated gif or something. What I do remember is it didn't seem possible, not w MS paint at least.

He asked if I can do it and I sounded off "No, Sir!"

There were gasps and the squadbay become very quiet for moment as if anticipating imminent destruction of a recruit refusing to obey orders. .

The Staff Sergeant appeared puzzled and said something along the lines of, "Did you just tell me fucking no?!"

I quickly stammer, "No, Sir. I was just saying what you are asking isn't technically possible."

He stands and stares at me for a moment that felt like eternity. Then, he said, "You're about the dumbest smart person I ever met."

I have never forgotten those words.

Ok I already know some of you yahoos are gonna say "Can Confirm". Yes, I am well aware I have my moments so no need to remind me. Haha!

Thanks for reading

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