Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for March 07, 2025

BD has a college degree. Shouldn’t he be an officer? Also what’s his name? It’s not Doonesbury.

My anti-Trump post is in the “Broom Hilda” strip today. IMO, it’s more fitting there.

Do female GI’s (and reporters) have to hike 60 miles with full packs?

Halfway through Basic Training the Full Field Pack felt light to a lot of us!!!

He’s also like 90 years old.

“Of course I’m calling you a Puke. Think about how it will read in your column. You will sound manly because you’re enduring real military disciple and not being treated like a candy-assed civilian.”

Yes he should.

Be nice to reporters and there’s a chance they’ll be nice to you.

NOW Drop and give me 25 push-ups Squnchie !!

And the rest of you Jumping Jack’s forever , Begin…….

BD’s having the time of his life.Enjoy it while you can,friend

I think that 600-paper guy is David Brooks.

Hey six-hundred-papers! If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Nope, Id call you a bozo ! ;-)

BD: absolute power corrupts absolutely

I like BD’s “sincere” apology in the last panel.

Just alter the facts, that’s what papers are really good at

I was drafted after completing a master’s degree in 1967 and the Army tried to get me into OCS. After they cancelled the Signal Branch school and told us we were all going to Benning for Infantry OCS, I elected to drop out. Surprisingly the Army was actually quite kind to me. I was assigned to cadre when in AIT to help NCO’s and officers with lesson planning, sent to Germany where I was put on loan to Army Education Services and filled in for a retiring GS-11 running a post education center at a 3000 man Kaserne until my 23 months, 10 days were up. I was told to be in civies most of the time as I would be counseling NCO’s and officers. I had a permanent pass and a car as I had to service a satellite post 5 miles away. I thought it was most unusual. It almost seemed like a Peace Corps assignment. Although in the fall of 1968 the Russians re-invaded revolting Czechoslovakia and I was issued a .45 pistol and reported to escort civilian dependents to France or as far west as we could get if it turned into WW 3.

The Union Army during the Civil was designated as the “Volunteer Army”. When the war ended the Army returned to “Regular Army” and adjusted to “permanent rank” as judged by the senior command saw fit.

Always seeking special treatment based on position and privilege.

(I would probably do the same thing if I had any position or privilege.)

Rick’s expression is gold! Also, the columnist looks exactly like a small town newspaper editor I knew. Last thing: If this reruns again in another years, anyone under a certain age who reads this strip will think, “Papers? What the hell is he talking about?”