KAA, there are (nearly) always alternatives to charging people, though in your case and at that point in time, you probably hadn't grasped that fact!You might have gained considerably more respect for your APO rank had you taken the trouble to explain why he was wrong.
Blue Stuff correctly observes that there is more than one way to skin a cat in respect of showing displeasure with some of the ladder climbers and incompetents. Subtle nuance with the word "Sir', and an ever so slight exagerration of a salute were my personal favourites. But then I had "Doesn't suffer fools gladly" written on every annual report I had, all but one of the 25!
Helmut, no offence intended mate!
[ 14 October 2001: Message edited by: Samuel ]