First of all on the OP's question: In Baskerville Captain John Watson was making an impression on a Corporal (considerably lower in the hierarchy), basically bluffing. In the London barracks John is dealing with a Major, i. e. a higher-up. That's military pecking order for you... (completely apart from the fact that John is now a civilian... BTW, I do like him getting forceful when saving Bainbridge's life - but I'm shocked that the duty sergeant announced Bainbridge dead without checking his vital signs or doing first aid.)

Now I'll hijack this thread because none of the Major Sholto one fits what I want to say: For me the appearance of Major Sholto, what he did, and his relationship to John provide final proof that Kizzia (on AO3) is right (and probably others as well, Wellingtongoose also lists this option): John Watson was a doctor and a soldier, but not an army doctor!
 

Vhanja wrote:

I never understood how the Major in TSoT knew that John was retired.

I suppose it says so on his ID card. I do not believe he would walk in there in civilian clothes and pretend to be still on active duty. 
 

Sherlock says several times (esp in ASiP) that John is an army doctor, trained at St. Bart's.

BBC One says: "Previously an army doctor, shattered by service in Afghanistan, John Watson discovered a new lease of life when he met Sherlock Holmes. Although often infuriated by Sherlock's cold, detached manner, he also sees his flatmate as his best friend."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3vT16nZ3kntNN2z8ShLphSf/dr-john-watson

Last edited by Harriet (June 11, 2015 9:50 pm)

At Sherlocked, there was a recap telling the story of how John got his injury. I can't remember it myself, but does it say anything in there if he served as a soldier or doctor when he got injured?

Edit: Here are Wellingtongoose's two-part meta on John's role in the army, amended and updated to include the information that John stated himself that he was at one time an army doctor.

http://wellingtongoose.tumblr.com/post/30473137292/semantics1
http://wellingtongoose.tumblr.com/post/30681523063/semantics2

Last edited by Vhanja (June 12, 2015 8:55 am)

Harriet wrote:

I never thought I would say one day: I believe in what the writers and the BBC say - but I do it now

We always do as long as what they say are in line with what we believe ourselves. ;)

Vhanja wrote:

Harriet wrote:

I never thought I would say one day: I believe in what the writers and the BBC say - but I do it now

We always do as long as what they say are in line with what we believe ourselves. ;)

Nope, all too easy.
We would not torture ourselves like we do in many discussions if it was that simple...

So, you believed that everything we needed to solve the mystery of the fall was actually on screen and the fans only too dumb to see it? 

Okay, apologies, I didn't want anyone to be considered dumb, that was not the point. Sorry, if that was what stroke you. My point was to give an example for deliberate misdirection on the writer's part, as you said you believe everything they say.
But I agree that it gets OT.

My point was more this: I know that sometimes they delibarately misdirect the fans. And this can very easily be used as we want it. If they say something we agree with, we use it as "evidence" to support our cause. If they say something we disagree with, we use the "But they always lie"-card.

Back on topic:

I do believe he was an army doctor. He says so in the show, no reason to doubt it. 

Last edited by Vhanja (June 12, 2015 9:25 am)