AS A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER in the Air Force, I was aware that the military definition of voluntary was somewhat at odds with the dictionary's. I didn't realize how much until I renewed my daughter's ID card. On the back of the application, I found this statement regarding disclosure of routine personal information: "Voluntary. However, failure to complete the form may result in disciplinary or administrative action." -- Contributed to Reader's Digest "Humor In Uniform" by MSgt. Joseph D. Brooks

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001