[QUOTE=USMCFLYR;486272]
I was having this very conversation with one of our reservists last week when discussing accepting a job with one company and then while waiting for training another company comes along and offers you a job. I said that I would have trouble leaving the one company because I would feel some loyalty to the company that hired me. He kind of laughed and told me that I was going to have to lose this loyalty issue that I have once I get out in the **real** world. He basically said that the loyalty mentioned above DOES NOT FLOW BOTH WAYS! Sad situation really.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR,
Business relies on Managers to run companies. Our country relies on Leaders to run the Military. Furthermore, business by necessity is profit driven and that is the end goal of the business. Ethically managed, this is a good thing. In contrast, the military is clearly a non profit enterprise for those serving, the end goal requires loyalty as virtually everyone serving in todays military voluntarily signed a check to Uncle Sam with a value that includes "upto and including my life". There is a significant difference as you well know. Often, military folks like ourselves entering the market fail to recognize these simple facts. It is normal.
Off the pointy end, leadership and your loyalty as a Marine will permit you and the leadership to drop peace time rules to complete a real world mission. We have pressed weather, equipment problems to serve the Marines/Sailors/Soldiers/Airmen on the ground. Leadership is pleased, the mission was successful. However, In the FRS/RTU, you would say "no reason to die for a training scenario" with bad wx or equipment problems just to get an 'X'.
In the professional flying business, managers want the mission complete at maximum profit. That is all. It is fair, it is business. If they need to furlough you, it will be done. It is not the mission of the company to provide you a career, paycheck etc. unless you are can provide profit. It is simply part of the business equation to have your services enhance the business abilty to make profit. You presence is a negotiated business decision with the aim to provide the business maximum profit. Thus, we must approach a civilian job with the same interest and focus as the managers. You need to look out for the best interest of your family at maximum benefit. It is a business transaction. Loyalty is left out of that equation in the business world.
Personally, when I left active duty, I was dubious of pilot unions. However, learned quickly that pilot unions, as imperfect as we are, are the best way of enhancing a transacted business deal with my company (a collective bargaining agreement 'CBA" or simply, the contract).
So keep your loyalty intact, just direct it squarely at your family, not a corporate entity. However, as the majority of my fellow aviators do daily across the spectrum, we proudly conduct ourselves professionally at our companies. No conflict. Just properly placed priorities.