There was a story, I think back in the '60s or '70s, about some cantankerous old 1-star general who used to personally conduct unscheduled inspections. One day he requisitioned a deuce-and-a-half (one of those Army trucks with two axles in the back and a green canvas covering for the bed, like you've seen in the movies) and just crashes it right through the front gate at some base.

The private who was manning the guard post at the gate came running along behind, probably worried that somebody had been hurt in the crash. The general hops out of the cab and unloads on the poor kid with both barrels of choice insults about the private's parentage, IQ, social standing and hygiene, finishing it off with "and why the hell didn't you shoot me?!"

According to legend, that was what the private was punished for -- dereliction of duty, failing to shoot the threat to base security.

(Obviously, this story is most likely complete BS.)