Posted on 05/11/2008 7:30:41 AM PDT by SandRat
'Why would any rational human being sign up for this?" The question came up the other day as we discussed one of our public affairs staff sergeants possibly separating for a job in the private sector.
There was a certain ease and even a slight euphoric relief about the conversation. He had opted to stay with us. He re- enlists Monday.
The question was posed by our senior master sergeant — a man who has re-enlisted multiple times over his distinguished 26-year career.
In the last few days, our staff sergeant had been really torn. Like most of us, his world revolves around his wife and baby son. Re-enlisting means being away from them for months at a time repeatedly as we fight the global war on terror.
He was offered what I believe was a nice position, one in which he could be successful. He has family in Arizona, and taking this job would guarantee he could not only count on seeing his wife and son at the end of each day, but parents and siblings on a regular basis as well.
The senior and I were also torn. We didn't want to lose one of our top NCOs. But as senior NCOs, we are entrusted with the welfare of our troops.
After our initial shock, we knew we had to help him with the decision as objectively as possible, keeping his family in focus throughout.
With his deadline to re-enlist or separate just days away, we both consented to being references for him. This would be an easy one. I believed he would be an asset for whomever he was working for, based on his poise and ability. When the potential employer called me, that's exactly what I told the caller.
While giving him our recommendations, the senior and I tried to assist him making a rational, well-reasoned decision. The pros and cons revolved around potential deployments, compensation, connections to family — major quality-of-life issues.
If he stayed in, he could guarantee a certain degree of job and financial security, but he would also be guaranteed opportunities to become well-acquainted with lonely, sand-blown days and the latest in improvised-explosive-device technology. And of course, the reality of life in PA at home station — long days and being overloaded and undermanned.
It came down to compensation, or so I thought. They weren't offering quite enough.
A couple of basic realities surfaced here. The median income in Tucson is low. My wife and most of my friends are making what seems to be about $15K less than their counterparts in many other parts of the country.
Conversely, when you add up all our benefits, including health insurance, we need to almost double our salaries to live the same kind of life outside that we live on active duty (I'm speaking strictly financially, of course.)
The staff sergeant said he would ask for more. It would be tougher for a couple years to pay the bills, but he could count on being home. I sensed something more was going through his mind.
I was perplexed. I prayed silently for God to give me some inspiration so I could help guide him.
There were unknowns on each side of the ledger, but I told him to focus on what was most important and which path would lead him there.
The firm offered more, but it ended up not being enough. Friday, he walked into my office as the senior and I were seven levels deep into a philosophical discussion about commitment and duty. We received the news, paused a moment to take it in, then smiles broke out. "Why would any rational human being sign up for this?" the senior asked.
It must have been rhetorical; we knew the senior was a true believer and always possessed a keen sense of duty. As we considered the multiple answers and reasons, it came down to our military way of life. Much more than duty and commitment, but these are at the core of what shapes our lifestyle.
Most people here are not motivated by money (despite our myriad benefits, with all that's demanded of us, our dollars-per-hour calculation ends up looking more like fast food than Fortune 500). The senior and I reviewed all the similar points in our careers at which such decisions had come and gone. With absolute certainty, neither of us had any regrets. It always came down to values, a deeper purpose and a career path that guarantees a life less ordinary. Monday, our staff sergeant will raise his right hand and make a solemn vow. As he goes about carrying that vow out, I'm betting he won't be disappointed.
● Master Sgt. Jim Fisher is an active-duty Air Force member stationed at Davis-Monthan. He has been a military journalist for more than 16 years. The views and opinions expressed in this weekly column are his alone and not necessarily those of the 355th Fighter Wing, the U.S. Air Force or the Department of Defense. His column is not subject to editorial review by his chain of command except in matters regarding operational security.
Air Force ground is might sound.
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