An Honest Living

My brother posted pictures of himself and some co-workers on Facebook.  The pictures were just like any other pictures of office hi-jinx except that he and his co-workers were all dressed in camo and carrying very large, scary-looking rifles in virtually every shot.

For the better part of the last 23 years, my brother has been in the Army.  In those 23 years, he's gone to virtually every country that was dangerous for an American to go to, and through luck and good training, has returned unscathed.  By the virtue of longevity, he has now assumed the role of helping younger soldiers stay alive out there--he's currently instructing them in how to dismantle/disable IED's.

You would think that by now, he'd be doing something that would keep him out of harm's way, but I guess that's not his style.  Besides, if not him, then who?

I guess that's what it all boils down to now, isn't it?  If not him, then who?

When I complain about how I think my boss is a scary narcissist, I blissfully forget that at least he's not a scary narcissist with no qualms about shooting me in the head for no other reason than they don't like the geographical region where fate landed me.  Those are the kinds of evil people who's actions garner the response of the United States military.  That's who we're up against.  That's who we're always up against.  Would you assume that role?  Would you take on a bully in a truly dangerous situation?

Soldiers are to be admired not just for their courage, but for the strong sense of right and wrong that compels them to stand up to the scary people.  I've been around that aspect of military mentality my entire life and I can tell you that it is almost completely the same from one soldier to the next.  They may complain about the pay from time to time, or about how a particular officer acts like a jerk, but those honest soldiers who lay it on the line every day, would do it anyway, because it needs to be done.  

My father and all four brothers are/were military.  Growing up, and still today, we hardly give it a thought--of course you serve.  Of course you do.  And that sense of service remains past the time that they are wearing the uniform.  It is in all areas of their lives.  Bottom line: Soldiers are good people.

It's hard to put a price on that kind of employee.  Someone on Wall Street would get paid big bucks to defend their company's way of doing things from a rival's threats.  Our nation only sets aside one day a year to officially recognize their sacrifice, but please, don't feel like you have to refrain from being grateful at other times of the year.  Thanks to them, you have a lot less to worry about every day, and that is priceless.