Why did Corporal Klinger go through all that effort to get out of the Army? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-08-2022, 06:06 AM

Was he a coward, a conscientious objector, or something else?

Sgt. Saunders · 11-08-2022, 11:20 AM

I think Max Klinger missed being at the ballpark to see his beloved Toledo Mud Hens play and also those great Toledo hot dogs at the stadium.

GentlemanJim · 11-08-2022, 11:50 AM

Two thoughts
1. It might be overly easy for us watching the show from the comfort of our living rooms, to filter out the perils of warfare that actual members of such a staff were forced to coexist with. Even an errant shell from a friendly cannon could end one's life. So, getting away fro that constant stress would seem worthwhile.

2. I think shows like this exploit stereotypes for humor. The reality of expelling ghays from military service was well known, so there might have been humorous appeal in the idea that someone would fake it to get a plane ticket home..

Don't forget, back in this period gheys were scorned, so the idea of "what depth must I sink to to get OUT of this dilemma?" had comedic appeal

3. (bonus) He was drafted. SO the strategy of beating the system has an appeal all it's own.

I remember urban legends back in the Viet Nam era of guys with a high likelihood of being drafted, puncturing their eardrum with a coat hanger, just to get a medical deferral. So, cross dressing is mild in comparison.

GentlemanJim · 11-09-2022, 11:50 AM

I believe too, there is humor in the notion that people in general will go to extremes far worse in nature just to avoid a pet problem.

Someone driving 5 miles out of their way, just to avoid one bad intersection they have problems with,...as an example.

Sgt. Saunders · 11-09-2022, 01:54 PM

Lead singer Howard Kaylan of The Turtles and The Mothers of Invention, in his autobiography, “Shell Shocked,” wrote that he resorted to cross-dressing to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War.

I think that Beach Boys guitarist Carl Wilson faced prison for refusing to report for the draft (he later was granted community service) as did actor Richard Dreyfus, who was granted community service instead of serving in the military.

just1paul · 11-09-2022, 03:26 PM

Merely comedic relief for the show.

Chocolate Moose · 11-09-2022, 04:14 PM

I assume MASH played it up to be super funny. He was excellent, wasn't he?

just1paul · 11-09-2022, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

I assume MASH played it up to be super funny. He was excellent, wasn't he?

Hilarious. The time he was in a robe with red fuzzy slippers flying still makes me chuckle.

His letters to Colonel Blake: Sister pregnant, mother dying, mother pregnant sister dying. LOL

11-08-2022, 06:06 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,096	Why did Corporal Klinger go through all that effort to get out of the Army? Was he a coward, a conscientious objector, or something else?

11-08-2022, 11:50 AM	#3
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Two thoughts 1. It might be overly easy for us watching the show from the comfort of our living rooms, to filter out the perils of warfare that actual members of such a staff were forced to coexist with. Even an errant shell from a friendly cannon could end one's life. So, getting away fro that constant stress would seem worthwhile. 2. I think shows like this exploit stereotypes for humor. The reality of expelling ghays from military service was well known, so there might have been humorous appeal in the idea that someone would fake it to get a plane ticket home.. Don't forget, back in this period gheys were scorned, so the idea of "what depth must I sink to to get OUT of this dilemma?" had comedic appeal 3. (bonus) He was drafted. SO the strategy of beating the system has an appeal all it's own. I remember urban legends back in the Viet Nam era of guys with a high likelihood of being drafted, puncturing their eardrum with a coat hanger, just to get a medical deferral. So, cross dressing is mild in comparison.
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

11-09-2022, 04:14 PM	#7
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,898	I assume MASH played it up to be super funny. He was excellent, wasn't he?
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

11-08-2022, 11:20 AM	#2
Sgt. Saunders Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 27, 2021 Location: The Garden State Posts: 540	I think Max Klinger missed being at the ballpark to see his beloved Toledo Mud Hens play and also those great Toledo hot dogs at the stadium.

11-09-2022, 11:50 AM	#4
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I believe too, there is humor in the notion that people in general will go to extremes far worse in nature just to avoid a pet problem. Someone driving 5 miles out of their way, just to avoid one bad intersection they have problems with,...as an example.

11-09-2022, 01:54 PM	#5
Sgt. Saunders Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 27, 2021 Location: The Garden State Posts: 540	Lead singer Howard Kaylan of The Turtles and The Mothers of Invention, in his autobiography, “Shell Shocked,” wrote that he resorted to cross-dressing to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. I think that Beach Boys guitarist Carl Wilson faced prison for refusing to report for the draft (he later was granted community service) as did actor Richard Dreyfus, who was granted community service instead of serving in the military.

11-09-2022, 03:26 PM	#6
just1paul Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 20, 2021 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 123	Merely comedic relief for the show.