Sentry A new soldier was posted guard at the gate to the American Base in Afghanistan. His orders were clear: All vehicles had to stop to show ID unless it had a special placard on the dashboard inside the windshield. A black SUV came up with a general seated in the back. The car did not immediately stop, intending to drive through the gate area. The sentry yelled at the drive to stop, almost getting run over as he jumped in front of the car. The driver, a corporal, said, ""I've got General Wheeler in the back."" ""I'm sorry, I can't let you through. Since you don't have a sign on your dashboard, I have to see some ID."" The general said, ""Drive on!"" The sentry said, ""Hold it! You really can't come through. I have orders to shoot if you try driving in without showing ID."" The general repeated, ""I'm telling you, son, drive on!"" The sentry walked up to the rear window and said, ""General, I'm new at this. Do I shoot you or the driver?""