The Professionals

I remember my father making a comment when the son of a teacher got shot in Vietnam in about 1964. He was wounded and survived.

He was a West Pointer and I mentioned it to my father and dad commented that West Pointers were professionals and although it was unfortunate it wasn't the same as some kid that had gotten drafted.

I was young at the time and it wasn't until later when I recalled the incident. I do believe at the time the death of the kid up the street was still on his mind. The kid up the street had been killed in a Jeep accident in Korea. He had been drafted.

As an aside here, I wonder how many GIs have been killed in Jeep accidents. They have had a bad habit of flipping for years.

You have to remember that the West Pointer that got hit had spent four years in college at government expense. He had gotten the full ride at West Point and now it was his turn to pay the country back.

In the same category falls the enlisted guy that signs on for a second hitch, hence putting him/herself on career status. He/she has already had a hitch in to learn the ropes and understand the deal. 

You are putting your life on the line in return for certain benefits and you have a very realistic chance of getting injured or killed in action. For a careerist it is a calculated risk. They are eligible for a decent retirement after 20 years which isn't a bad deal for someone willing to take the chance.

Still, you have to remember that a careerist has opted to take the chance and really can't complain too much if they  
get hurt along the way. 

The old saw rings true here. "You knew the job was hazardous when you applied."





To find out why the blog is pink just cut and paste this: http://piccoloshash.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-feminine-side-blog-stays-pink.html NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE WRITING OF TODAY'S ESSAY