It's All About the Benjamins, Baby?

Most of us work hard. Most of us are used, abused, and underappreciated in the workplace in some way or another. Although, all of us want a pay raise, I'm sure only a few of us actually deserve it.

I just wrapped up a 12 day work-streak, and although I'm exhausted to the point where my fingers don't want to type these letters, I truly believe it could be worse.

But this isn't about me.

For those of us who have had a spouse deploy in the last month, we've seen our first "deployment paycheck" this week. I've never really understood why people claim they "make so much money" during the deployment. Civilians who assume deployment earnings are "good" earnings would probably be shocked at how diminutive they truly are.

Sure, your paychecks are bigger. Of course, your earnings are tax free. Yes, they get a minuscule (now pro-rated) Hazardous Duty Pay. Yeah, there is Family Separation Pay.

But think about it...

... What is the true Return on Investment?

The military invest more than any of us would for some extra chump change.

Long time periods away from their family. Missing their baby's first words. Or first steps. Missing holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries alike. Missing St. Patty's Day Weekend with friends. Missing happy moments and sad moments. Missing milestone after milestone... I could go on and on, but I won't.

And, for what return?

I guess I went through 6 years of business school so I could relate a deployment to a financial equation. But it's simple math, people. Is the return really worth the investment?

Yeah, I know Soldiers "signed up for this." It was their choice to enter the Military. And don't get me wrong: I'm an advocate. Spokesperson. Supporter of the Military and the great benefits it entails. I'm part of the proud Brotherhood that the Soldiers and Families share.

And it wasn't even the paycheck that I deemed as a "blog worthy" topic. It was an article I stumbled across tonight while click.click.clicking around:

10 Insanely Overpaid Public Employees

Strangely enough, several of the people that made the list work in a prison.

Uhm, what? You're telling me that some of the top paid people in this country make their earnings off housing our criminals?!?

That's what motivated me to write tonight. We reward the most asinine behaviors and industries in this country. I'll never understand why athletes, movie stars, reality TV "stars," and now... a Prison Dentist... can make so much money, while our Soldiers (and teachers, social workers, etc) don't make $h*t.

This realization really put things into perspective for me.

No matter how bad of a day we've had at work; no matter how small we think our paychecks are...

... The Grass (and someone else's money) is Always Greener.  :)