A young Marine officer was severely wounded in the head by a grenade, but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which were amputated. Since his hearing wasn't impaired, he remained in the Marine Corps; many years later he eventually rose to the rank of major general. He was, however, very sensitive about his appearance.

One day the general was inspecting three Marines, prospects for his headquarters staff.
The first was an aviator captain, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the general asked him, "Do you notice anything different about me?"

The young officer answered, "Why, yes, Sir. I couldn't help but notice that you have no ears."
The general got very angry at the lack of tact and threw him out.
The second interview was with a logistics Lieutenant, and he was even better. The general asked him the same question, "Do you notice anything different about me?"

He replied sheepishly, "Well, Sir, you have no ears."
The general threw him out also.
The third interview was with a sergeant of Marines, an infantryman. He was articulate, looked extremely sharp and seemed to know more than the two officers combined. The general wanted this guy, and went ahead with the same question, "Do you notice anything different about me?"

To his surprise the sergeant said, "Yes, Sir; you wear contacts lenses."
The general was very impressed and thought, what an incredibly observant NCO, and he didn't mention my ears.
"And how do you know that I wear contacts?" the General asked.
The sharp-witted sergeant replied, "Well, Sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no forkin' ears."