The Safe Trench

 The Safe Trench(Humor in Uniform)

It was during Op Parakaram in 2001 somewhere in the western sector that our unit took position for defences in forward area when the balloon had got up. We were expecting attack from the enemy side so we're asked to protect our holding positions. Since ours was a sapper unit so were having the JCB digging machine which could dig big trenches in short time.  All the big field offices were made in trenches below the ground level. The Commanding Officer(CO) had instructed us to keep the camouflage net with props only visible on the top and the rest to be underground to prevent any damage to life or equipment from artillery shelling or air attacks should it occur.  The younger generation who had not experienced any war till date started meticulous digging trying to get hold of the only JCB machine held in that location to expedite their task avoiding the manual digging to make their trenches better than the other for their safety with a competitive spirit. The Adjutant who had the machine at his disposal dug the trench so deep for making the operations room that wooden steps had to be placed to get down inside the trench. 

When the CO came and saw it he was astonished to see this unique trench. The Adjutant trying to gain marks on his work explained to him,

"Sir this trench will be perfectly safe for everyone sitting inside irrespective of  any bombing taking place outside"

Hearing this the CO glancing the deep trench though appeared contented but asked,

"What if the bomb lands in the trench itself?"

The Adjutant looked perplexed and kept silent  looking at the CO and Subedar Major(SM)standing next to him in turns unable to find a suitable reply. However the smart SM perceiving the state of Adjutant immediately replied to CO,

" Sir then everyone will be safe outside"

There was a laughter burst with the logical reply of the SM.