A homeless man who pleaded fervently to join the special forces was ridiculed at the recruitment office, but the general was taken aback when he saw the man dressed in filthy rags 
A forty-something man with long, disheveled hair, a thick beard, and ripped, dirty clothes entered the recruitment office. He had the fragrance of rain and the street. The soldiers at the entryway scowled and looked at each other.
The duty officer stated sharply, “Documents.”
The homeless man proudly gave me a crumpled but nicely folded passport that he had taken out of his pocket. Then, with assurance, he entered the office where a number of cops were seated.
He firmly stated, “I want to join the special forces.”
The laughing erupted in the room. Without taking his eyes from the documents, one of the officers grinned and said, “The special forces? Peeling potatoes in the kitchen can be a better option for you. Or would you like to work as a janitor?
— No. “Just the special forces,” he reiterated obstinately.
“Get him out of here, guys,” the major shouted impatiently. He must be insane.
The homeless man was brought out into the corridor by two soldiers who took him by the arms. The door behind him slammed.
Silently sobbing, the man stood by the exit, holding his passport to his chest.
A general was strolling down the hallway at that very moment. He stopped abruptly as he was about to pass by, froze, and peered at the man 
— Captain? — he exclaimed, startled. — Is that you? Why do you appear this way?
After wiping his eyes, the man said quietly, “I returned wounded from the last operation.” I spent a lot of time and all of my resources recuperating. My wife took the kids and left me. The house had to be sold. I found myself homeless. But now that I’m well again, I’d like to return. The only thing I have left is service.
After a little period of silence, the general moved up, touched the man’s shoulder, and uttered the following:
I recall what you accomplished for your nation. More lives were saved by you than by any of us. Come on. Show your true self to everyone.
And the officers who had just been joking got up from their desks when they entered the office together. Not out of order, but out of respect for the first time
