Good question. I knew that putting me in an office was a big mistake and was very vocal about my desire not to. Its hard to explain, but it is killing me. I approached the Command last year and asked for a new assignment, anything that would get me away from a desk and back into the field where I belong. I added that I had never been unhappier in 20 years as this was my first desk job. They said (I'm not making this up) :
1. I needed to come to work an hour earlier each day, to get a better rhythm
2. I was to seek counseling and report the findings
3. Work on my CG career plan!
4. Get back to your desk and replenish the copier
Wow. I was floored! I did what any reasonable person would do, said thank you and promptly requested retirement. But it gets better! They said:
1. We can't let you go! Your job is too important, so we are going to involuntarily extend your contract 1 year!
People, let me add that after 15 years of jumping out of helicopters to save people ( granted I would do it for free) I understand when people need a hand. This is the help I get? Unbelievable. At first I was in disbelief, then I realized I was not among people who understand the true life saving spirit of the Coast Guard. These are people who have made careers behind desks, back-stabbing, pencil pushing pussies, ducking, non-operational wimps! It was a all too clear.
An emergency to me, is when people are dying. An emergency to these people is when the printer falls off line. No wonder I felt so isolated! In truth, I feel sorry for these office types-sorta. I do feel they are tax payer parasites, milking the US for a military pension and hiding behind a desk. Never risking anything or sacrificing.
Bottom line, the Coast Guard doesn't give a shit about its members. What does that say about the organization as a whole?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
yes sir, and I can bet that you are not alone.
ReplyDelete