I was an AVLB operator for a looong time, and had a rep as being the fastest bridge in the west, within the limits of the machine. We were doing our umpteenth combat team attack of the ex, rotating field troops, and therefore troop commanders, through the obstacle breaching portions. 1 and 2 troop TCs were more than happy with me telling them I needed four minutes from rolling up to the obstacle to me being out of the way and the crossing open. The 3 troop commander insisted I do it in three, despite being told it wasn't mechanically possible. At the commander's mud map meeting, which our crews attended as SMEs, the TC went through how the breach was to be conducted. He promised 9er three minutes to breach. He raised his eyebrow, looked at me and asked if that was accurate. I didn't want to throw the young guy under the bus, so shuffled my feet and hemmed and hawed a bit. Sadly the TC took it out of my hands by opening his mouth. That and a couple of other brain farts ensured he didn't stay in the regiment long.
