“Should I stay or should I go?  If I go there will be trouble, and if I stay it will be double. . .”  ~The Clash

More than just a popular ’80s song, the Clash were really on to something, especially if you are currently involved in military aviation.  This is the tune that many men and women within the military aviation world are singing, and as someone who works in the military equivalent of Human Resources, it is a tune I hear every day.

And rightfully so.  Military aviation is a tough place these days (though in truth, it always has been).  Readiness rates are low, our aircraft are old, tired, and parts are tough to come by.  Deployment operational tempo has never let up since 2001 and leadership and culture are arguably broken at different levels within the organization.  And finally, the opportunity to pursue a career in commercial aviation has not been this good for years.

“So, should I stay or should I go?”

I can’t answer this question for them, or for you for that matter.  The answer to this question is intensely personal and requires reflection.  But here’s the deal:

I’m Staying.

And here’s why:

Culture – In order to change the culture, you have to be in the culture.  It’s easy and very human of us to only see the negative and not feel that we have any power to make a difference.  The dirty little secret is: we can.  Regardless of the job we have, the title we hold, or the rank we wear, each one of us is a conduit for change and process improvement.  And, if you like to create change or improve processes, the USMC is one of the most accepting cultures out there – the only requirement is that you have to define what the problem is and then show how to solve it. 

Flying – I love to fly (I am a pilot after all), but I recognize that it is not everything.  For years, I wanted to fly for the Navy, but over my four years at Annapolis I recognized a HUGE difference between the Marine and the Naval Aviators in the room.  I recognized that Marines cared deeply about leading men and women – and I did not pick this up from their Navy pilot counterparts.  So I chose to throw my hat in the ring for a chance to be a part of the Marine Corps Aviation community, and was fortunate enough to be accepted.

Here’s the deal.  While I love to fly, my best memories in the Marine Corps are of the jobs I have had as a Department Head, a Division Officer, a student at one of our service schools, and even as a staff Officer at Headquarters.  For this segment of my life, I want more exposure to leadership and learning – opportunities I have as I move back and forth into and out of the cockpit.

Family Opportunities – Life in the Marine Corps is a trade off.  There are times when life is simply really stressful and we as a family are separated for long periods of time.  These times are hard and take a toll.  However, there is an ebb and flow in Marine Corps life that also allows time for rest.  Additionally, we as a family enjoy the opportunity to move around the country and the world. This allows us to live in areas we would never have normally experienced and develop relationships with people we never would have ordinarily met.

And, while I look forward to the day when I am able to settle down in one area, I know that I am not that different from the rest of the population.  I also know that at the end of 20 years of service I will have the financial ability to settle into the area of my choosing and move into another line of work.

Finishing What We Begin – In a world where moving on to something else if you are not presently happy is common, there is something special in being un-common.  There is no doubt that the grass looks and smells greener on the other side of the fence.  But as a guy who has passed the halfway point in his career as a Marine Officer, I find the desire to finish what I started presents a stronger pull than the look of the grass on the other side.

There is a joy and pleasure in maturing into the skills you have developed over years of training and work.  And, there is a joy in taking the lessons you have learned, the things done well, and the things done not so well, and making use of them.

Moving on to the Air National Guard or the Reserves appeals to the nostalgic memories I have of being a flight student again, where my only job was to fly.  While I did enjoy that time period, I’m also thankful those days are past.  I look forward to learning and beginning a new career here in a few years, but I am also content in being proficient and credible in my present occupation.

Should I stay or should I go?

Above are my reasons for staying – I came to these after months of thinking through the problem and assessing the reality of my situation.  These are very personal and should not be taken as guidance for anyone else.  My advice to those who ask is simply this:  Think through where you currently are and where you want to eventually be.  Don’t lose heart in your current situation as it will not last forever.  And finally, if you see a problem, there is no better advice I have heard than the advice given by Mohandas Ghandi – “Be the change you want to see in the world.”