It's veterans' day again, with the usual excessive flag waving and maudlin expressions of gratitude. On this day, lots of people recommit to the idea that veterans should have health care and benefits and housing. They don't necessarily vote for the politicians who get that done, but it's a fine, feel-good sentiment. Here's the thing though. As much as I appreciate "take care of veterans," the truth is that I don't deserve anything that every American doesn't deserve. I don't want Americans to take care of me. I want them to take care of each other.
When I was in the Army -
I could get three squares a day at any chow hall. If I lived
in the barracks, I’d have a meal card and eat for free. But even if I had my
own apartment, I could still get a chow hall meal for a couple of bucks.
I always knew that I’d have access to health care when I needed
it. I didn’t have to fool with insurance cards and deductibles and HSA accounts.
I just went down to the clinic and saw a doctor or nurse or dentist as needed
and got whatever medication they prescribed at the on-site pharmacy. Wherever in
the world I went, my medical records went with me, so I didn’t have to worry
about records requests and delays and paying fees to access information that
belongs to me.
When I moved from one station to another, I knew that my
belongings would be packed and shipped to me, whether this was a couple of
suitcases and a bicycle or an entire household. My travel expenses were also
paid for.
If I were stationed in a foreign country, I could rely on
support for things like auto registration, driver’s licensing, and navigating
the local real estate market. For families with children, on-post day-care and schooling
was provided.
Wherever I was stationed, I knew that there would be a PX/BX
where I could buy essential products, a commissary where I could get my groceries,
a barbershop, a post office, a gym, a dry cleaners, a community center where I
could have a soda and a game of ping pong with my colleagues, and a club where
I could relax and have a beer and listen to music after hours. Often there
would be even more infrastructure – a ski shop where I could get my skis tuned
or buy discounted lift tickets, an auto-shop where I could get my car fixed or
borrow the tools to do it myself, a dark room where I could develop and print
my own film, maybe even a movie theater or a bowling alley. All of it
affordable and accessible.
Each place I was stationed, I was assigned a sponsor who helped
me get settled, made sure any paperwork or training I needed to complete was
done, took me down to the supply room and the armory to help me get equipped, answered
my questions, and showed me around. I knew when I showed up to work, I’d be
given the tools I needed to do my job.
Training, both on-the-job and formal, was built into my
schedule. I knew I’d have the chance to learn new skills and advance in my
career. So long as I met minimum requirements, additional schools and
certifications were always available.
Everybody, whether private or general, had 4 weeks of paid
leave. Plus, extra days off were given for things like donating blood or
volunteering or acing the PT test or just because local leadership felt like
it.
The military goes beyond providing for the minimum, essential
services. Why do they do all of this? Because they know that people are more
effective and more motivated when their needs are met. Not living in fear of
homelessness or hunger or medical bankruptcy is the bare minimum. We also need
community and recreation and fitness and challenge and growth. With those
things, we can excel, we are motivated to reach for more, and we can endure the
hardships of our lives and our jobs with grace and resilience.
Everybody should have that.
