2007-07-19 13:41:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
(Assuming it was during the Korean War, not now)
2007-07-19 13:42:52 · update #1
Let's not forget the fact that Cpl. Klinger was a good soldier, aside from his antics. When it came right down to it, he assumed the position of a good soldier whenever he was needed so the military would overlook his antics because the commanding officer and others aside from Major Burns and "HotLips" knew he was a good soldier in a clinch and he was only pulling their legs to get discharged. He wouldn't stand a chance of getting out of the military right now due to the war and the need for good trained soldiers.
2007-07-20 17:43:19 · answer #1 · answered by Sgt Little Keefe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am in the military and we have people trying to get out for outrageous things. First, Klinger would have been disciplined for being out of uniform. He would have been reprimanded and other lighter forms of punishment. If that did not turn him around, then and Article 15 would commence, non-judicial punishment. A commander can take stripes, money, and give additional work and confinement. Life could be very miserable for him. If that didn't work, he would have been Article 15'd again and then administratively discharged. However, his discharge would probably be under other than honorable conditions...the same as a bad conduct or dishonorable. In the real military, he would have been gone within months if he did his actions.
Oh, Klinger's actions were to get medically discharged so he could retain benefits and such. Under other than honorable conditions would have taken those away. After one Art 15 I think he would realize his dream of getting out with benefits was quickly evaporating.
2007-07-19 13:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by Guy 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It was great TV, but it was wrong. The Klinger character kept talking about a "Section eight discharge". It isn't Section Eight. It's Chapter Eight of AR 635-200, the Army Personnel Manual at that time. It covers discharge for psychosis and nuerosis. But, Klinger's case came under Section 7, which is for character and behavior disorders (specifically his cross-dressing). What makes this character so endearing is that Jamie Farr, who played Klinger, was the only member of that whole TV cast who actually served in the Korean War.
2007-07-19 14:08:30 · answer #3 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree with John T. You would be surprised at what people will do and say to get out fulfilling their obligation.
I have seen guys light up a joint in front of their department head to get out of working long hours while in the shipyard. Parts delivery delayed well over a month, but they paid the price by working a minimum of 12 hours a day 7 days a week to get back on schedule when they finally arrived. Of course they went before the CO, got a spank on the wrist and sent back to work. It was funny and sad at the same time.
During Desert Shield/Storm, we had been haze grey and underway for about 55 days or more. One of the squadron guys jumped off the signal bridge of the carrier. We are talking about a 100ft+ jump. He survived, I think the CO put him on restriction for 30 days. Since we were only in port for about 2 weeks total during the 8 or so months deployed, he didn't touch land again until we arrived back at our home port.
Crazy things happen, and there are COs that come up with creative solutions.
2007-07-19 14:10:15 · answer #4 · answered by Airdale 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I actually think that the answer would be the same as now.
If it was a war situation, and he was needed, and it was obvious he was just trying to get sent home...and assuming people thought he was a freak, but didn't mind having him around...his antics wouldn't get him sent home at all.
They'd just get him a reputation as a freak with a running joke that had possibly gone on way too long.
Lots of people want to be sent home, but unless there's a really good reason, the military isn't about spending the money or time (for the paperwork) to make it happen.
2007-07-19 13:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by Roberta K 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
When you choke someone you are in more of a position to beat their head on things as you're doing so. That's what really gets out the frustration. Strangling is just unnecessary.
2016-05-17 22:39:33 · answer #6 · answered by carmel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In real life Cpl Klinger would have found him self on the funny farm or in the brig !
2007-07-19 14:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think he would have been viewed in real life just as he was in the tv show.
As a very entertaining soldier trying to get out of the service and very creative in the ways he was trying to do it.
2007-07-19 13:45:25 · answer #8 · answered by John T 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
At that time, he'd have been considered trying to act out in order to go home, so he'd have been retained, but subjected to a lot of discipline.
2007-07-19 13:49:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A day or less. These things could get a man put to death back then.
2007-07-19 13:58:01 · answer #10 · answered by pgmurry 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋