Page 82 - A Soldiers Exposition

THE PARADOX OF MILITARY SERVICE

Military service becomes a way of life.

It is a different world with its own set of rules and expectations.

Commitment to the country and your fellow soldier is real and all-consuming.

But it is often paradoxical in thought and application.

A love-hate mentality develops to the point that regret and disillusionment sets in and reveals itself in
performance.

Today’s soldiers (as it was with the Vietnam War soldiers) often serve multiple tours of duty in combat
zones or direct support of those who unselfishly serve.

Is it no wonder that we have soldiers returning from service only to be caught in a downward spiral of
failure to re-enter and adjust to civilian life?

These brave men and women often entered service right out of high school. The only “skill” they possess
was provided by the military and few if any of those skills transfer to civilian jobs.

Do not hide your head in the sand. Our educational system in America is second-rate and getting worse.

As I write this, our economy is in a shamble. College graduates are moving back in with mom and dad
and can’t find a job. How is an untrained Veteran going to compete in the already stagnant job market?

I’ll pause to give a big shout-out to Wal-Mart and Chase and others who are promising to hire Veterans.
But, they must honor the promise. A promise made, is a promise that the Veteran is counting on. Do not
promise then fail them.

Plus, I must ask: Are these companies promising to hire Veterans because they support and care for
them, or are they using recent tax credit plans enacted to give them tax credits for hiring Veterans and
therefore reaping positive public (customer) response?

Dig deep and use your critical thinking skills.

BECAUSE:

The Obama administration and Congress have pushed forward an array of measures, including tax
credits for companies employing Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. What about the Vietnam,
Korean and WWII Veterans who are out of work? Why exclude three groups of Veterans? Why limit the
tax credits to only the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

A VETERAN IS A VETERAN – RIGHT?

While some companies are actively recruiting Veterans, there is no sign of an overwhelming response.

Compared to the pay and benefits I received during my twenty-two years of service; the soldiers today
have more opportunities than ever before. They deserve it! Freedom is not free – someone paid the
price. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.