Put Some Respect on My Service
A few months ago on a drill weekend, I decided to stop by a wine store in Montgomery after getting off work. There is a particular wine that I had purchased there before that my husband really liked and had requested more of. I was in uniform when I went inside so the salesman thanked me for my service and offered to give me a military discount which I didn’t expect. However, as he was ringing me up, he went on a little tangent about how he doesn’t mind giving a discount to active duty military personnel and that he hates when “weekend warriors,” otherwise known as national guardsmen or reservist (non-active duty) go around asking for discounts. He was like, “all they do is serve one weekend out of the month, 2 weeks out of a year, but you guys are the real military.” Whew chile, the disrespect! To his ignorance, I am that “weekend warrior.” In that moment I should have taken the time to educate him on the totality and responsibility of each component of the military, but instead, I just accepted the discount, paid for my wine and left feeling some kind of way, vowing to myself to never visit his establishment anymore. I wasn’t in the “I want all the smoke” mood that day. Luckily for me, I later found out that the wine we like is sold on base anyway! Lol
People often confuse Memorial Day with Veterans day and it is important to know the difference. Both days hold extreme significance. However, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, “Veterans Day honors all of those who have served the country in war or peace — dead or alive — although it’s largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices.”
When I put on my uniform, on the left side of my chest, it reads ‘United States Air Force.’ It does not specify whether I am Active Duty, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve. As we know, there are some differences between active military personnel and non-active military personnel. However, as weekend warriors, we still made the commitment, pledged the same oath, went through the same training, and make some of the same sacrifices as everyone else in the Air Force. While on the topic of duty, commitment, and sacrifice, regarding the one weekend a month aspect, people make it sound insignificant, but it’s a lot more than it seems. I personally, currently travel 7.5 hours to spend 2 days at work (drill), and barely have additional time to see family and friends while I am in town. Then I have to travel 7.5 hours back home to NC on Sunday evening, oftentimes not getting home until after midnight and then having to show up to my civilian job on Monday morning. Plus, let’s not even discuss the expenses involved to take the trip, which isn’t even recouped through the pay for those 2 days at drill. While I have excellent healthcare for myself and my family (that I pay for but is less expensive than other carriers), I do not get free flights nor do I get reimbursed for flights taken for drill, mileage driven, nor rental cars rented as some might assume.
As national guardsmen, we have a duty to the state as well as the country, unlike the other components. When it’s time to deploy, we too leave our family, friends, civilian jobs (where we often make more money) in order to fulfill our duty to this country and our state. I got married in 2018 and my first 6 months of being a newlywed were spent separated from my husband while I was biding my time over in Kuwait as a very unhappy, very uncomfortable, and very alone airman (not knowing anybody there) until I met a few other cool people.
As I become more socially aware and cognizant of the injustices that still plague black people like me in this country and in various environments within, the system that was built against us that we are still struggling to overcome, I constantly question the necessity of my continued service. I question what kind of voice I have to truly speak on these issues as a military member, but also as a person who has a whole lot to say about these issues and some of it may not be favorable. One thing about it though, I will never question what I have been able to attain for myself through my service.
Even though a “close” family member recently called me a “sellout” for even joining the military, my service is for my people. The people who value my service. The people who look up to me and appreciate my service. The people who are proud of my service. The people who are aware of and proud of what my service has done for my civilian career. The people who aren’t concerned about the capacity in which I serve. The people who are benefiting the most from my service.
To all of the veterans out there, thank you. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for your service.
Promotion to Technical Sergeant circa August 2019
Happy Veterans Day.
