Posted on Nov 1, 2016
In what ways did your personal values change after you left the military? Specifically, how did your priorities change to reflect values?
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After I left the military, the values they had given me didn't necessarily align with my personal values. Selfless sacrifice, for example, wasn't quite as important as finding personal meaning and prioritizing my family. What ways have your values changed since you left?
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 31
Posted 8 y ago
I can say that my own personal values never changed. I can say with happy certainty that I never had to compromise my personal beliefs/values and they served me well while in service and guide my life now.
Priorities did change---My family is absolutely my priority now. They were then but not as much as they are now. Once I retired, it hit me like a ton of bricks that they are there for me when no one else is...and time is precious. My father passed two years after I retired and I treasure that small time with him but it put things in focus. My daughter is growing up and headed to college next year and it will be my and the wife alone again...not a bad thing but they are my focus. Working for things is crazy and I give a honest days work for an honest days wage but at the end of the day where I used to stay till the mission completes, now my mission is at home at quitting time. Things are just that things.
Priorities did change---My family is absolutely my priority now. They were then but not as much as they are now. Once I retired, it hit me like a ton of bricks that they are there for me when no one else is...and time is precious. My father passed two years after I retired and I treasure that small time with him but it put things in focus. My daughter is growing up and headed to college next year and it will be my and the wife alone again...not a bad thing but they are my focus. Working for things is crazy and I give a honest days work for an honest days wage but at the end of the day where I used to stay till the mission completes, now my mission is at home at quitting time. Things are just that things.
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_I have never felt the sense of loyalty to a commercial enterprise that I feel to the Constitution.
_I have never felt the sense of loyalty to a fellow employee who is an ass, that I definitely feel to a fellow Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman who may be just as big an ass.
_I have never asked my family to sacrifice for the benefit of an employer. I accepted nothing less from them to Corps and Country.
But outside of those parameters I do my best for all.
I don't know if that answers the question or not.
_I have never felt the sense of loyalty to a fellow employee who is an ass, that I definitely feel to a fellow Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman who may be just as big an ass.
_I have never asked my family to sacrifice for the benefit of an employer. I accepted nothing less from them to Corps and Country.
But outside of those parameters I do my best for all.
I don't know if that answers the question or not.
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Posted 8 y ago
The Air Force core values are Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in all we do. Being an aircraft mechanic, you must always have integrity. And doing excellent work prevents mishaps. In my civilian job, I don't really put my civilian job first because we are not at war and we don't provide my brothers on the ground with supplies or close air support:) I put my family first by refusing overtime, night shift or weekends. That has caused me to be passed over for management promotions, but I am happy with my job and pay. Plus, management can be a pain in the arse and I don't need or want the extra stress for a few extra bucks. But I do give 100% to my Guard unit whether it is a weekend drill, TDY or deployment.
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