Tank and Motor Rifle captains promotable to major had an advanced officer course just like the US Army's Armor Officer Advanced Course. The LTC teaching the course gave the Soviet officers in the class a problem. They were faced by two Nato Forces; one American and the other was German. They were to decide in which order they would deal with each of the opposing forces and give a detailed dissertation on who they would deal with first and why. The sharpest student (in class standing) went first and said that he would deal with the Germans first and gave several reasons for doing so that he thought were compelling. The LTC's response was a violent no. The LTC went on to say that they must always deal with the Americans first. The student was somewhat upset by this apparent fixation on the Americans and passionately asked why they must always deal with the Americans first. The LTC responded with humor that the reason was very simple; You must deal with business before pleasure. It's a joke but 25 to 30 million Russian dead in WWII means that it is not funny,
I personally find it funny because the Army taught me to feel that same way about the Russians and I can find just a touch of empathy for the Russian captain's frustration.
WMC
