Knowing that there are members here from all military branches (with their proper tartans, of course) and that inter-service rivalry is almost a national sport, I thought I'd post this item that I found on an aviation news website. They run a weekly section called "Short Final" that recounts funny or unusual radio conversations heard while aloft. With full credit to AvWeb.com and the named author...


"Overflying KLAL en route to KBOW, we overheard a conversation between KLAL tower and a flight of two military pilots flying training approaches. As they declared "going missed," the tower issued missed approach clearances and then asked, "So you are Navy?"

One pilot responded (with obvious pride), "He is Navy, but I am United States Marine Corps."

My co-pilot, who is a retired Navy Commander, couldn't resist entering the conversation and keyed the mike, stating, "If you check that Globe and Anchor, you'll find it says Department of the Navy."

Without a second of hesitation, the military pilot came back with, "Yeah — but it's the men's department."

Nothing else needed to be said, and the tower controller was very quiet for several seconds — laughing, I assume.

Submitted by Gerry McCarley"