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"It's your gung-holier-than-thou attitude."
—Trapper John to Col. Flagg, M* A* S* H
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Any military setting is bound to have at least one person who is Gung Holier Than Thou: a Neidermeyer with little, if any, authority. Typically a non-commissioned officer who likely sleeps with a copy of their force's code of conduct under their pillow. Given their relative lack of authority, anyone who is Gung Holier Than Thou is merely an annoyance. A temporary annoyance if only visiting, like Col. Flagg. A Gung Holier Than Thou can become too much of an annoyance and end up Reassigned to Antarctica.
A subtrope of the Rules Lawyer.
Examples:
Film[]
- Sgt. Maj. Dickerson in Good Morning Vietnam.
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"That is humor. I recognize that. I also recognize your brand of soldier." |
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- Sgt. Webster to Recon in Heartbreak Ridge.
- Lt Kendrick in A Few Good Men.
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"I have two books at my bedside, Lieutenant. The Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the King James Bible. The only proper authorities I am aware of are my commanding officer Colonel Nathan R. Jessup and the Lord our God." |
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Live Action TV[]
- Col. Sam Flagg in M* A* S* H, as mentioned.
- Majors Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan were this as well (although Houlihan relaxed later in the series).
- Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf.