Zachary Boyd was never a Boy Scout. Otherwise he would have known to “always be prepared.” The good news is that he wasn’t caught with his shorts down when the Taliban attacked his base in Kunar provice. The bad news is that he had them on, and they were pink.

Thank goodness the AP photographer was there to show Boyd in his colorful undies and flack jacket holding off the enemy fighters. On the other hand, had the bunker been overrun, I can’t help but suspect that causing the guy with the AK-47 to guffaw uncontrollably might have given the soldiers one last shot at turning the tables.

Boyd’s mother was quoted as saying, “It was typical. He has always been an interesting little character.” You can almost hear the pride in her voice, no?