A career military officer relates this story about a general staff meeting he attended many years ago. A young captain was present, his very first such meeting.

The general threw out a tactical problem seeking answers. The colonel, sitting on the general's right, leaned into the problem and answered it in detail. During this process, the young captain, at the foot of the gathering, kept shaking his head.

After the colonel had finished the general looked around and asked if anyone had anything to add.

Somewhat brashly the captain spoke up, "I disagree completely with the colonel, sir."

"Don't you think it might be wise to defer to the judgment of the colonel, captain?"

Right back the captain said, "That is not the way you made general, sir."

The general looked at the captain for about ten seconds and finally said, "No, you are right, captain. But that sure as hell is how I made major."