"Skipper, I'm thinking about leaving the Navy." Those are some of the hardest words to say, and some of the hardest words to respond to.
The economy today is in great shape, unemployment rates are low, the market is (for the most part) doing well, and the airlines are booming. Most airlines are buying new aircraft and are in the midst of a hiring cycle that makes all previous cycles look insignificant. Recent studies talk of a pilot shortage, and the airlines are actively courting military aviators. Such a strong economy makes it tempting to leave Naval Aviation.
Meanwhile, times are tough here in the military, with long hours, deployments, time away from home and family. Certainly nobody gets rich on their military income. So when the statement "I'm thinking about leaving" is made, it can be difficult to respond with persuasive reasons to stay. Most of us have at one time or another thought about leaving, and we must all make that choice at some point. Historically, about two-thirds of the Naval Aviators elect to transition at their first opportunity, and our system is designed to account for this. For most of those folks, they have served honorably and perhaps had some fun, and the decision to leave is the right one. Others agonize over the decision as they sit on the fence. The decision is certainly personal and is most often made not on facts or figures, but on some inner, much more complex level--a feeling of what is the right thing to do.
In preparing for this article, I asked myself how I would respond to the fence-sitters' statement "I'm thinking about leaving," and I started to compile a list of reasons to continue a career in Naval Aviation. It occurred to me that this list would only reflect my feelings and why I stayed, when there are thousands of people out there in the fleet who, like me, also made the decision to stay. So I went out and asked what they thought. Initially, I hoped their responses would help me to prepare this article--and to stir some thoughts. As their responses came in, I saw that some were too good to not share with you. The following are some pearls of wisdom that I hope will help you make your decision or help someone respond to the statement "I'm thinking about leaving."
" ... The camaraderie and special friends that I made. Many of these folks have become lifetime friends and our relationships are especially close and deep. They're special due to the bonding that occurred throughout training, cruises, detachments and so on. Our families usually became close for the same reasons. We suffered and sacrificed together as a team."
" ... I was proud to have been called to serve and be one of the nation's elite military forces. I was especially proud to have Navy Wings of Gold. Every time I put on my uniform, I was able to reaffirm why I was staying in, what I liked about our Navy and my part in it. I felt a special pride in my life's calling."
" ... I always enjoyed getting new jobs, increased responsibility and moving every few years. I've lived all around the country and have seen a lot of the world. I would never have experienced this had it not been for the Navy. This sets me apart from my friends from college or my home town, who tended to stay closer to home or lived only in a few locations. It's been hard to move so often, but it's brought us closer as a family. I knew I made the right choice for me and my family. We have no regrets."
" ... The opportunity to command men (and women) in the Navy--a completely unique experience. It was one of the highlights of my life's achievements."
" ... If you are dissatisfied, it is one of the few organizations that provides a full opportunity to work for change. I don't think this is true in most companies. We have almost direct and instantaneous access to our leadership, and opportunities to serve on boards that set and influence policy."
" ... The freedom of action and respect/responsibility that you have as a Naval officer. You might have a bit more money and you might have a fine title [on the outside], but you will account for your every minute, calculate your worth by how much you can charge for your services, and will to adhere to a much more rigid system."
" ... The opportunity to use creativity, imagination, decisiveness, and be able to lead and influence other people with what you do. Try that from the front of a cattle car."
" ... The special trust placed in me; the high level of responsibility and the feeling of accomplishment."
"I was not in the Navy to make a lot of money, but I always had enough to make ends meet and still save towards retirement. After 10 years of active duty, I resigned and joined the Naval Reserve. I went to work for a major airline, got furloughed and returned to active duty three years later. I now have 29 years commissioned service and I have never regretted returning to active duty. It's been great. I can still fly for an airline following retirement!"
" ... Job and pay stability is unique ... although some family relocations are involved, the pay and responsibility level does not change if you go to a different part of the company ... not true in the civilian world."
" ... Even now, you can't beat the 20-year retirement our Navy provides. With proper planning, modest investments and preparation for a second career, you can be well-established at retirement."
"Easy. The people--officer and enlisted. Just don't find a group on the outside as committed to the ideals of honor, commitment, selflessness, integrity and doing the right thing just because it's the right thing to do. I don't see it like that on the outside--everyone's got his own agenda."
"I struggled for a long time after my first tour trying to decide whether to stay in or get out (I had a resignation letter approved). After several months of agonizing, I finally realized how really unique Navy people are and how much I liked working with that peer group. The decision to stay was easy once I identified my attraction to the Navy ...."
" ... Shipmates with common values and goals. This has been the most important for me. As I approach retirement ... looking for job opportunities, I find a civilian world full of distrust and (lacking) real bonds for common success."
" ... You'll never again be associated with people that you can trust with your very life. You have on either side of you (or on your wing) colleagues that have integrity and the willingness to go to the mat to save your life. Believe me, you will never have that in the civilian world. Money talks, and it is cutthroat. Those you find that you can trust are the exception, not the norm as they are in the Navy."
" ... Honesty, integrity and direct dealings are a way of life in the military. In the civilian world it is money, profit and self-promotion at the expense of one's colleagues. 'Don't share information with them, they will beat you out, take your job and laugh as they do it.'"
" ... You truly are associated with a society within the Navy that is better than society around you. You work with sailors and officers that truly are honest, hardworking and dependable."
"You will never, and I repeat, never experience the sense of teamwork and working for a common goal and purpose that you experience in the Navy. Teamwork on the outside is defined as 'making a profit and making money.' That framework produces a different kind of person and purpose in a company and team."
" ... Wait until you have a family or personal crisis, or have a medical problem [on the outside]. The Navy cares for you and your family, regardless of your state of health or your family needs. In fact, the Navy is perhaps at its strongest during your hour of need. Try that logic in the civilian world."
" ... The flexibility and latitude we give our officers to handle personal and family affairs, and to get the complete help, consideration and support from COs or squadrons during crisis. That same support on the outside? It's not there."
" ... The opportunity to fly Navy jets. I was thrilled every time I manned up and I realized how fortunate I was to be allowed to do this for a living. I knew my civilian friends could not understand why I loved it so much, but I knew they never could understand it because you 'had to be there.'"
" ... There is simply nothing else more exciting than our business."
The lifelong friend...duty, honor, country...pride in serving...graduation day at AOCS and the first salute from our DI...first solo in a new aircraft...pinkie recoveries...teamwork and camaraderie..."twenty-eight knots, MOVLAS"...ammo vertreps to the CV...Falcon codes...NVG inserts...cat shots, day traps and good weather..."shack"...low-level routes over the Grand Canyon...air wing dets to Fallon...Ruthie's...gun dets to El Centro...nachos at the Mount Signal Cafe...weapons dets to Yuma...Cretine's...ACM dets to Key West...the ...Duval Crawl..."OK-3...any wire on a pitching deck, coal-black night...a cool breeze when standing the Alert 5..."boola-boola."
Also, an early push from marshal when the sun has just set...a sliver of moon on the darkest night...a good hawk from the recovery tanker...perfect sugar from paddles on your night in the barrel...cloud surfing at sunset...streaming the sled into a steady wind and calm sea...Palma, Cubi and Perth...the sound of Taps at lights-out...the National Anthem at morning colors..."Now launch (or secure) the Alert 5"...pizza night in the dirty shirt...ready-room humor...PLAT LSOs...sliders at midrats..."Fox"...turnover westbound toward Gibraltar..."sweet"...the view from Mustin Beach over Pensacola Bay..."One's in, hot"...sunsets off the fantail...squadron command...the cruise ..."fly-in"
"I don't think I could have had more pure fun and enjoyment anywhere else...."
Well, there you have it--a list of reasons from people who decided to stay on; why they continued to Fly Navy. The people responding came from all communities and represent hundreds of years of experience (from mid-grade lieutenant to admiral). The constant theme that runs through their responses is that a career in the Navy is not about facts and figures or fortunes made and lost--it's about service. It's about dedicating yourself to a calling, to leadership, fun, and at the risk of sounding romantic--it's a noble profession. It's a profession dedicated to taking care of hundreds of thousands of people. It's a career that when it's all said and done and when you are too old to climb into a cockpit, you can look back at what you accomplished and know you made a difference. You know that the country is, in some way, better because of what you did.
For those of you who are wondering, I made the decision to stay because I felt I could help--but more importantly, because I was having fun, got tremendous job satisfaction, and couldn't think of any other place where those ingredients came in that mixture. Maybe we just can't articulate the magic that draws us to this profession, but there is one thing that we all seem to experience that embodies that magic. I see that without fail reflected in the hundreds of people that I run across who have spent some time within the Naval Aviation harness. Whether that person is standard issue Mk 1-Mod 0 like most of us, or is the CEO of a Fortune 500 company (or a shining success in any field), if asked to reflect he will invariably say words like, "You know, I'll never forget the time I spent in Naval Air ... it was a highlight, if not the highlight of my professional life ... there is nothing quite like it. ..." That may be difficult to agree with during a six-month deployment, but it is there. I certainly have not regretted my decision. For those wrestling with the decision--follow your heart. I wish you well. Remember, you are needed and you are doing important work, and I am proud to serve alongside you.
Think about it, and keep the ball in the center.
Ed. Note: VADM Mazach, a native of Coffeyville, Kan., received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University of Vanderbilt and entered flight training at Pensacola in June 1966. Receiving his Wings of Gold in October 1967, he served with several attack squadrons on the East Coast before becoming commanding officer of VA-15 operating the A-7E Corsair II. After several tours in Washington as a personnel detailer, he commanded Carrier Air Wing Three, USS Seattle (AOE-3), America (CV-66), Cruiser Destroyer Group Eight and Carrier Group Two. He was later assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N51) and to U.S. European Command before receiving his third star and being named as Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
VADM Mazach holds the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal (eight awards), together with numerous other decorations. He is married to the former Mary M. Waggoner, and they have two daughters.