The U.S. Army has done so many things so well for so long that we can afford to overlook some of its minor failings – like a busy-body tendency to oververbalize when it is such a foolish waste of time.

Consider this e-mail circulating from Army brass the past week and picked up by a Washington Post Columnist:

“The Acting Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff, Army have emphasized that Army Families are a key component of our readiness. Army Families shoulder a great burden of sacrifice, supporting their Soldier and often enduring long periods of separation from their loved ones.

“Top notch care and support of Army Families demonstrate our sincere appreciation and gratitude for their many contributions, and allow our Soldiers to fully concentrate on the fight and focus on their duties.

“Effective immediately, the word ‘Families’ will be capitalized in all Army correspondence. Please ensure wide dissemination of this change. Thanks for your continued efforts to do all you can to provide steadfast support to our Army Families.”

One wit, probably some old sergeant with disgust for some of the pesky newbies, added: “Extended Tours, Multiple Deployments, Shortened Home Leave and Other Words Will Be Capitalized From Time To Time, As Deemed Necessary.”

With all the huge challenges facing the Army and its brass, such as trying to inject some sense into the Tillman Friendly Fire and Jessica Lynch Charade, you’d think people in the public relations department would have better judgment even if some idle colonel or general dreams up silliness like this.

But, then, military people have a way of doing a great job in many respects and getting hung up on embarrassing trivia. Anybody ever heard about the letter home from a recruit who informed his parents: “I have no idea what’s ahead. Today they gave me a fur hat and a shot for yellow fever.”

At least he didn’t fall prey to Fur Hat and Yellow Fever.