A solider had recently found out that he had cancer, and the diagnosis was making him feel miserable and struggle to carry out his duties. After failing to polish his boots properly, the drill sergeant called him forwards.
“Why haven’t you polished your boots properly?” He yelled. “What’s wrong with you? Can you make your kit presentable or not?”
“Cancer”, the soldier replied sadly.
“Good!”, the sergeant shouted, much to the soldiers surprise, before marching off.
The next day, the soldier was called up again by the drill sergeant, as his trousers were covered in creases.
“Why are you still a mess!?” The sergeant roared in his face. “Why can’t you keep up with the others? If you can’t sort yourself out you’ll be sent packing!”
The soldier, not understanding his sergeants lack of compassion, and feeling rather sorry for himself, weakly stammered, “Yes.. I.. cancer”.
The following morning, the soldiers were lined up for a weapon inspection. The poor soldier was fumbling the parts everywhere, unable to focus on the commands given. Once more, the sergeant pulled him out in front of the section.
“I’ve given you enough warnings, today is your last day. Pack up your belongings.”
His fellow soldiers were aghast, and one of them shouted out, “sarg, you can’t send him home, he’s just found out he’s got cancer!”
The drill sergeant looked surprised, and a puzzled expression came over his face. “You’ve got cancer?” He asked the soldier, who nodded.
“Then why haven’t you told me, instead of every day insisting you can do your duties, with an ‘I can, Sir’?”