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Job satisfaction is No. 1

  • Published
  • By Col. Michael Hornitschek
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  There's a recent article in the "Christian Science Monitor" that compares job satisfaction among businesses and reports that the military ranks higher than Disney and other well-known companies.

Military members said that despite lower salaries and lengthy deployments, the services provide a way to have meaningful impact on the world, true camaraderie with co-workers and the opportunity to develop skills. The author found that "servicemembers take pride in serving ... and find a deep sense of personal accomplishment in the work they do."
Speaking from personal experience, I concur with these assessments because I see examples of this every day and feel exactly the same way.

Duty, honor, country ... nothing makes me more proud of our military family than to see us united in a cause to deliver humanitarian goods, welcome a soldier home, care for our wounded men and women, or dig in to accomplish a difficult task. Our actions do have an impact on the world around us, and I often remind folks that while their parents and grandparents had their own contributions to history in uniform, now is our time and it is no less significant. Knowing I can depend on my Wingman is at the core of this true sense of camaraderie.

Our military members deploy to austere places and are put in harm's way, yet they display professionalism and determination in making the mission successful. Perhaps it's through the connection of sharing a common vision, the commitment to mission accomplishment, the support that we get from each other during stressful times or working as a team to get things done, but solid bonds are formed. Along the way we make friends for life, and the world becomes a bit smaller because even though we often say goodbye to each other, chances are good we'll see each other again ... sometimes in the most unlikely places.

I'm not surprised that military members cite having the opportunity to develop skills as a factor of job satisfaction. As I look back on my own growth and development, I see a very clear commitment from our institution to ensure we are skilled and knowledgeable, and have the right resources to perform the mission. That's why developing leaders at Scott AFB is one of my priorities. Everyone deserves a chance to excel, and my job is to ensure an environment and the resources for our personnel to do exactly that.
Having pride in our work and a feeling of accomplishment also comes from having a clear understanding of our missions and how each of us fit into the big picture. Everyone has a position to play whether at home station or a deployed location. It's important we all understand what our connection is to the mission and to each other.
So, while popular corporations may offer nap time, play rooms and free chef-prepared luncheons, our men and women understand that job satisfaction comes not from what you get ... but from what you can give back.

Military members said that despite lower salaries and lengthy deployments, the services provide a way to have meaningful impact on the world, true camaraderie with co-workers and the opportunity to develop skills. The author found that "servicemembers take pride in serving ... and find a deep sense of personal accomplishment in the work they do."
Speaking from personal experience, I concur with these assessments because I see examples of this every day and feel exactly the same way.

Duty, honor, country ... nothing makes me more proud of our military family than to see us united in a cause to deliver humanitarian goods, welcome a soldier home, care for our wounded men and women, or dig in to accomplish a difficult task. Our actions do have an impact on the world around us, and I often remind folks that while their parents and grandparents had their own contributions to history in uniform, now is our time and it is no less significant. Knowing I can depend on my Wingman is at the core of this true sense of camaraderie.

Our military members deploy to austere places and are put in harm's way, yet they display professionalism and determination in making the mission successful. Perhaps it's through the connection of sharing a common vision, the commitment to mission accomplishment, the support that we get from each other during stressful times or working as a team to get things done, but solid bonds are formed. Along the way we make friends for life, and the world becomes a bit smaller because even though we often say goodbye to each other, chances are good we'll see each other again ... sometimes in the most unlikely places.

I'm not surprised that military members cite having the opportunity to develop skills as a factor of job satisfaction. As I look back on my own growth and development, I see a very clear commitment from our institution to ensure we are skilled and knowledgeable, and have the right resources to perform the mission. That's why developing leaders at Scott AFB is one of my priorities. Everyone deserves a chance to excel, and my job is to ensure an environment and the resources for our personnel to do exactly that.

Having pride in our work and a feeling of accomplishment also comes from having a clear understanding of our missions and how each of us fit into the big picture. Everyone has a position to play whether at home station or a deployed location. It's important we all understand what our connection is to the mission and to each other.

So, while popular corporations may offer nap time, play rooms and free chef-prepared luncheons, our men and women understand that job satisfaction comes not from what you get ... but from what you can give back.