Thank You For Your Service

The Fallacy of Service – Part Two

In “The Fallacy of Service – Part One,” we talked about the fallacy of “public service” and our misguided tendency to place “the abstract over the practical,” or the “professor over the plumber” when it comes to jobs in public service. True service, we concluded, is not an exclusive domain dominated by a select number of occupations in the abstract knowledge worker industry, but a simple, selfless mindset within reach of every human on a day to day basis.  Any parent with a sick toddler can attest to this humbling reality.  

Another common fallacy is our collective requirement to honor those who serve in the military above all other service-oriented professions. Though the pandemic has certainly vaulted other public service careers into the spotlight, we still don’t reward pastors, teachers, social workers, nurses, and countless other professions with federal holidays, standing ovations at baseball games, or social courtesies such as “thank you for your service” in recognition of their selflessness.

thank you for your service

There are no blanket “teacher discounts” at national parks or sporting goods stores, and no one is going to anonymously pick up your tab when they notice your forearm tattoo commemorating your two-year stint on the oncology floor at the local hospital. Medical workers don’t even have such tattoos – such a public, commemorative and outward display of their sacrifice seems ridiculous to begin with.

While many military personnel certainly join with at least some sense of self-sacrifice, the reality is that not all join with a heart of pure altruism. Educational opportunities, adventure, travel, health care, and generous retirement packages, along with a lifestyle which incorporates competition, camaraderie, and health/wellness/physical fitness are all incredibly rewarding aspects of the military life which are nearly always taken into consideration.

And though it’s painful to admit, some of us join in anticipation of the required public reverence – we actively seek a career to which fellow Americans and politicians are socially required to pay respect. “I Served” bumper stickers on cars, tactical backpacks at the airport, regulation haircuts long after they are required, and casual, unprompted military references in conversation are just some of the ways we force this recognition into our lives on a recurring basis to bolster our egos and massage our insecurities.

Thank you for your service bumper sticker.

Yet rarely do average Americans inquire about differences in military occupational specialties, the significance of combat action ribbons, or the difference between active versus reserve status – if you are a man or woman “in uniform”, you are a hero. If you have that military ID, you will receive that discount.

The men and women in uniform who actually put their lives in harm’s way deserve every ounce of respect and appreciation we have as a country. And those who have made the ultimate sacrifice should forever hold a place of respect, reverence, and honor in the hearts and minds of the American public.

In reality, though, most uniformed personnel don’t serve in combat arms specialties, and a low percentage of those who do actually experience combat.  This percentage can obviously fluctuate.

Additionally, both on combat and non-combat deployments, many MOS’s involve administrative or support roles which in reality are no different in both risk and substance than many civilian positions posted overseas. In fact, many of these civilian “deployments” could be considered even more dangerous and challenging, as they generally aren’t supported by the immense logistical footprint of the Department of Defense.

fast food in Afghanistan
Is this heaven? No, it’s Kandahar.

And our collective reverence for the concept of “deployment” is misguided to begin with. Combat deployments for combat arms personnel are exactly what we believe them to be – dangerous, exhausting, and potentially life changing with regards to damages to physical and mental health, let alone the universal risk of death.

Non-combat deployments, however – such as security cooperation, humanitarian assistance/disaster response, or advisor missions – certainly pull service personnel from their families, but are also opportunities to see the world with a close-knit team while focusing deeply on a mission that most find meaningful, all with stable pay, limited expenses, free health care, and all sorts of perks supporting your dependents back home.  These are all referenced as “deployments”, though, and for good reason – most Americans don’t know the difference.

In other words, the dirty secret which many Americans don’t realize is that military service can often be a great, rewarding, and comfortable lifestyle. We are a voluntary force – we know what we are getting ourselves into and not all of us deserve the veneration and courtesy afforded to us by American society simply for signing up.  

Perhaps it’s time to begin redirecting this gratitude towards a more diversified yet equally deserving audience, to build on the broader spectrum of public recognition resulting from the pandemic.  

Though most parents don’t realize it, raising a confident, caring and compassionate young American is perhaps one of the more noble, demanding and lasting forms of service any human in this country can provide.  So thank you for your service.  

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