“To not accept a rebuke is poor character. To make excuses is impudent,’ he told me. ‘To accept a minor accusation and to admit fault—whether deserved or not—shows good character. To Japanese people, an apology is accepted as sincere. And the slate is wiped clean. Knowing this, then to take responsibility whether just or not, face is kept. Americans don’t know this.’” My buddy’s advice to me—that if it was for anything less than a UCMJ offense—accept the rebuke. Apologize if it’s appropriate. Only explain if someone demands an explanation. And according to him, if I knew that pearl, then the world would be my oyster”