As hundreds of thousand of military personnel begin the arduous process of transitioning back into civilian life, many will face realities they thought they'd escaped. The vast majority of those returning from service, were not America's best and brightest. America's best and brightest generally don't join the military. America's best and brightest have too much to live for. Save for the West Point types, the average recruit is just that, average or below. Heroes are rare!
An average American these days, means someone with marginal skill sets and marginal futures. In many cases, these marginal types, joined the military to avoid living a marginal life. The military gave many of the marginals direction when they didn't know what to do with themselves. The military kept others out of trouble. The military gave many a job when nobody else would. The military gave many something to believe in when they didn't yet believe in themselves. Although the military filled a gap in the lives of many marginal people, it was only temporary.
Although the G.I. Bill may give aid and comfort to some of the the recently discharged, many won't even be able to take advantage of the educational benefits because they're marginal. If the marginal person joined the military as opposed to attending college and following a traditional path, its likely they knew they'd perform marginally in a university setting. Absent some miraculous spurt of intellect occurring during one's service, generally the mind the marginal person entered the military with, is the same one they'll leave with. (If they're lucky!)
When an employer has to chose between a recent college grad and a recent returnee from a war zone, unless the company needs some serious security, they'll likely hire the college grad. In the 21st century, leadership and independent thinking skills are critical in the work place. The idea that the military builds leaders and independent thinkers is a myth.
The military is a culture of followers not leaders. In the military, most of the thinking is done for the marginal soldier by others. Someone gives the marginal an order and the marginal follows that order, without delay and without question. Sure, there are plenty of jobs in the country that require a person to follow orders without delay or questions, but those jobs are likely to be short term, part time and definitely low wage positions.
Bottom line: While the country wrings its hands trying to figure out what to do with all the marginal soldiers returning to civilian life, its important to remember who these marginal people were before they left. If a marginal person was basically a grunt before they enlisted in the military, don't be surprised if they're a grunt again when they've completed their service. That's just how life works on the margins. Podcast Below!
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