PERFECTION!
Perfection illustration.
You know I always get the job done
It is not about getting the job done, Captain... it is "how you get it done" that matters to me...
This is your last warning. If you fail me again, I will see to it that the next sunrise you see would be your last.
As Captain Spandex was leaving the general's office, he knew that it wasn't only his carrier that stood on the line, he could lose his life.
As he walked, his characteristic gait showed that he had spent an insane amount of time training as a soldier. His hands swinging from side to side in rapid succession as his feet kissed the floor barely... it seemed like he was floating a few feet from the ground.
As he walked, a flood of thoughts rushed through his mind with the speed of water from an open dam.
He could recall the first time he had this kind of personal engagement with the General. It was on the first mission to Somalia. It wasn't his first mission to Somalia, but it was the first of this kind of mission.
You sent for me, sir...
Captain Spandex said standing at attention before the General.
At ease, Captain.
Captain Spandex was about to take a seat. He had just arrived from a 20hr match which he led. His calf muscles were extremely sore.
I like you captain,
The general said, as he lifted the glass of scotch on his table to his lips.
You have a very formidable track record. You are known by everyone as the man that always gets the job done.
I try to model effectiveness sir.
… Captain Spondex said, his eyes fixed on the general who was fuddling through some papers on his desk
That's a good thing. Everyone values effectiveness.
I value effectiveness. But I value something more.
You see, being effective means you get the job done. But being perfect means, you get the job done the right way.
They said perfection is for the gods.
You know what? When you signed to be a soldier, you subscribed to becoming a god.
Let me tell you a story captain.
During World War II, when the Germans somehow were able to manufacture super soldiers in their lightening strike attack against the allied forces, the blitzkrieg. The allied forces were in a mess. Completely humiliated. France had been forced to sign a deal that showed that they surrendered to Hitler.
Then suddenly, things turned around. It was like magic. The German forces were pushed back so far behind that it became clear to Hitler that he could not make any more progress on his initial plan.
All that was made possible because of the tactical wits of one soldier, who was determined to make sure that military intelligence was organized and properly used. He knew that there would be no room for mistakes. Each mistake on the battle field the life of a soldier lost.
That soldier is now a well decorated general. Because of his zero tolerance for mistake… his zeal for perfection.
My Army turns mere men into immortals. You must do your job, perfectly.
Am I clear on that?
Yes sir!
Captain Spondex felt like sinking in the ground the day he had to report that mission back to the general.
He could remember his punishment. It was hard and cruel, even for a Captain as experienced as Spondex.
He marched in the hot sand of the desert for 6hrs everyday for a month. At the end of the whole exercise he had lost 10pounds, his feet were sore and numb, he had sunburns which needed medical attention.
Now, he had another mission to carryout. He needed to do this perfectly.
He must do it perfectly. His life depended on it.
The last captain that defaulted on the general’s instructions ended up being transferred to the dark fortress.
It is rumored that soldiers who get transferred there often loose their souls, get broken and become subjects of experiments.
Nobody has ever heard or seen that captain again.
This is why Captain Spondex must make no errors. His sanity could also depend on it.