The Rickover Interview

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I was a history major.  In my opinion, I failed miserably during each of my three interviews with the Admiral’s experts.  At last I met the Admiral in his sparse office.  As he reviewed my transcript he told me I had wasted time studying French and history.  Then he asked two questions, and I answered both as follows:  Q: “Who knows more about history, you or me.” A: “You do, sir.”  Q: “Who knows more about history, your professors at the Academy or me.” A: “My professors know more about history than you do, sir.”  He called in his secretary, asked her opinion about that last question and my answer, and she replied, “Oh no, Admiral, you know more about history than his professors.”  Then he looked at me without apparent emotion and said, “Get out.”  A few days later I was surprised to learn I had been accepted into the nuclear program.