[Ads-l] W:pedia: "Carry on, Sergeant" is a normal expression for an Army officer to use; ...

[W Brewer]

DW:  <<at ease . . . doesn't mean lounge about or do as you please. It
means stand with your right foot planted, no talking or smoking (back when
you could smoke), and pay attention to me.>>
WB:  I recall it more as an NCO bark, shut up & knock off the horsing
around, you're annoying somebody important, i.e. me.

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