In the summer of '97, I went to my second JROTC summer class and took an Air Force personality test. It wasn't one of those hokey little horoscope deals either, becasuse this was a test used by the personel of the air base the camp was held in, and was a strong factor in determining who was assigned to work where. I guess the idea was to keep conflicting personality types from having to work together, but why they let a bunch of kids take the test is beyond me.

Anyway, I just found my results buried beneath a bunch of old essays and CAT-5 cables, and it struck me as uncanny how accurate they were. The report is broken into three sections, each explaining a different facet of my personality, but I think the last section -- Personality Characteristics -- sums everything up quite nicely. Check it out:

• Flexible - You can adapt your thoughts and lifestyle to meet a variety of situations.
• Uninhibited - You are open, free from normal society restraints. You make your own decisions and moral judgements, and live by your own rules.
• Delegate Detail - You like to let others perform detail work, rather than let your performance be hampered by minor interferences. You prefer to work in generalities and let others work out the system.
• Independent - You are self-governing, free from most outside influence and the constraints of others.
• Commanding - You tell rather than persuade. You take charge and expect your orders to be followed.
• Fearless - You do not bother yourself with possible outcomes if you meet with failure, but rather, proceed as if you will undoubtedly win.
• Cynical - You tend to be doubtful of the motives of others, at times mocking or scorning their ethics or goals. You are wary of business transactions that hint at being "below board."
• Superior - You desire to have a higher ability, rank, and nature than the "average worker." You feel superior in capability than most people.
• Sharp - Your comments and dealings are direct and to the point.
• Realistic - You look at the world with literal truth, being neither optimistic nor pessimistic. You see things "as they really are."
• Private - You enjoy time alone, either by yourself or with a very close loved one or friend. You don't like to be "on display."
• Reserved - You practice self-restraint; you are not out-going in manner or speech.
• Earnest - You are determined in your actions, feeling deep sincerity and seriousness in what you do and promise.
• Contemplative - You consider and study your actions.
• Hasty - You move quickly, withou pausing to consider the results of your actions.
• Driving - You push forward forcibly, eliciting work and participation from yourself and, if necessary, others as well.
• Seek Change - You look for change and variety in your work. If you find none, you will tend to create variety.
• Impatient - You have little time for "plodding methods" or slow workers. You feel the need to get things done.
• Abrupt - You act unexpectedly and sudden. You are curt in your dealings with others, in an attempt to avoid wasted effort.