The work that binds us

This Monday marked my first day as a civil servant working for the Department of the Navy. I can't help but think of my 20-year old self and what she would have thought of this turn of events. I was so idealistic (and annoying!) then, swearing off meat and dairy, spending hours on street corners urging people to "Boycott GE!" and railing against the establishment. As most people do, I grew up, mellowed in my convictions, and realized that life is complicated enough without constantly screaming my head off at people about god-knows-what. Life is about the choices you make every day, in how you treat other people, the way you spend your money, and yes -- the work you do.

I started this blog writing about my work and I continue to find that I want to share with people what it feels like to work for the military. To me, it is a very unique experience. When I'm at work, on the Naval base, I feel like I'm in this very specific world that doesn't really include me. I feel very much like an outsider, as most people I walk by are in some kind of military uniform and I know they are living a much different life than me. The more I learn about their lives, the more I realize the huge sacrifices they are making for their jobs. They move around constantly, they leave their families behind at the drop of a hat, they are constantly being told what to do 24 hours a day. In a very real way, they sacrifice their own freedom to uphold the very idea of freedom itself. It is humbling to work around these people, yet they would probably laugh at me if I told them this. They don't necessarily see themselves as all that special. But if were asked to do the things they do every day, I would not rise to the challenge. No way, no how.

I just hope that, in the work I do each day, I can help make their jobs a little easier somewhere down the road. I've always been okay with being a "behind-the-scenes" kind of person. I don't need glory or kudos or a big spotlight. I just want to know that what I do makes a positive difference in the world. And I have to keep my focus on the people who sacrifice the freedoms we all take for granted as "civilians," for it is their lives that deserve to be made better, however possible.