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Civilians on the Air Force team: Is the grass always greener on the other side?

By Leah Revilla 8th Air Force

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I recently overheard two military members discussing how nice it would be to be an Air Force civil service employee. In their estimation, Air Force civilians "do not have to stress about military stuff and they get to display variety in their wardrobes." As they fanaticized further scenarios, they touted geographic stability in not being required to permanently change station, work a 40-hour week and even grow facial hair if they so desired.

I'd overheard a conversation in which the two individuals did not exactly understand what federal civil servants bring to the total Air Force team. They had mistakenly envisioned civil servants as having the ideal, stress-free job. The truth is, civilians on the team are critical to the mission and share in both the burdens and stresses of the mission. I have served in my current position for one year and have worked for two different commanders and have almost daily interaction with nearly 30 officers and noncommissioned officers. Through my experience, I have learned a few things.

Active duty members PCS every few years as part of normal career progression and to build strong, well-rounded mid- and senior-level leadership skills. Their PCS opportunities often take them to exotic places where they are the "new guy or gal" and have to earn the respect of their peers. Often, the constant in the new office is the civil servant who can quickly take the new military member under their wing and bring him or her up to speed. Civilians are often the foundation upon which an organization is built; they are the history and ensure continuity in the mission. Civilians are patriotic Americans who love this country and they take a solemn oath to serve it just as their uniformed companions do. Some civil servants have prior experience as uniformed service members. They have seen both sides of the fence and bring special insight to the civilian workforce and help ensure a cohesive team.

Like active duty personnel, civil servants must train to perform their duties and they are evaluated annually. These team players are dedicated to protecting our country and its allies. Despite some misperception, civil servants do sacrifice time and even lives -- remember the 125 Pentagon employees killed during the attacks of 9/11 and the killing of eight CIA civilians in Afghanistan. Many civilian positions are worldwide deployable. Civilians in deployable positions are trained, equipped and prepared to serve overseas in support of humanitarian, reconstruction and combat-support missions the same as uniformed personnel.

Air Force civilians find satisfaction in being a part of the greatest fighting force in the world even though they do not wear a uniform. So next time you're leaving work a little later then you wanted, or sitting at the gate having your identification checked, look to your left or right at the civil servant in the same position. Ask yourself if the grass is really any different in color for them than for the rest of the team. Active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilians form a strong total force team!