A group of Captains were given an assignment to measure the height of a flagpole. They go out to the flagpole with ladders and a tape measure.
They're falling off the ladders, dropping the tape measure - the whole thing is just a mess!
A Warrant Officer comes along and sees what they are trying to do; walks over, pulls the flagpole out of the ground, lays it flat and measures from end to end. He then gives the measurement to one of the Captains and walks away.
After the Warrant Officer has left, one Captain turns to the other, shakes his head and laughs. Isn't that just like a Warrant?
We're looking for the HEIGHT and he gives us the LENGTH!!