How to Ruin an Interview

I picked up the phone the other day to arrange an interview.

“Hello, Major, I’m calling to schedule an interview with you about your recent competition.”

This would normally be just another step on the way to creating an article for the university magazine to which I’m assigned. I was tapped to do this interview because I’ve been in the Navy Reserve for more than 18 years and I understand military terminology better than the other civilians on staff.

The interview was going well. Letting Major S. know about my military affiliation showed my membership in “the club”—I may not be in the same service, but I could relate to most of what he was talking about. At some point, I commented on the difficulties in identifying other service ranks, particularly Air Force enlisted personnel.

“Are you still in?” asked Major S.

I confirmed that I am.

“What’s your rank?”

I knew that question might come up. I had purposely not mentioned my rank before, but there was no avoiding it now.

“I’m a commander,” I replied.

A commander is one grade senior to a major.

That’s when I heard the words I didn’t want to hear in that interview.

“Yes, ma’am,” the Major said.

I knew that if he found out I outranked him, the major would be deferential, as a junior officer should be. I didn't need deference, I needed him to be comfortable enough to answer my questions.

“No. I’m not here as a commander, I’m here as a civilian,” I reassured him.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I sighed.

That’s the quickest way I know of to ruin an interview.


Postscript:
Things turned out well in the end.

Here is the product of this interview:
Not for the weak or fainthearted