About two years ago, Jay Fisher started his transition from the military to the civilian work world.
What he has realized since is just how disconnected civilians and military personnel seem to be.
During Thursday’s speech at the Columbus Air Force Base Community Council luncheon at Lion Hills Center, Fisher expanded on that gap.
After 25 years of service, much of it at CAFB where he served stints as a student pilot, instructor and assistant wing commander, Fisher retired, taking a job with Renasant Bank almost two year ago, where he works as a business development officer in the Starkville branch.
Based on his military experience and that of his new civilian life, he’s convinced the average civilian knows little about those who serve in the military, something he said was more than an observation.
“The current generation has lost touch with our armed services,” Fisher said, “not intentionally but because of factors that are well-documented.”
The baby boomer generation has been the last to have “skin in the game,” in one respect, Fisher noted.
“If you were born after 1957, you have never been subject to the military draft,” Fisher said. “For those who were born before then, the draft was something that directly connected people to the military.”
Another factor, Fisher said, was that the days when average Americans were called upon to make personal sacrifices in support of the military have long since passed.
“When was the last time that happened?” he asked rhetorically. “During World War II and the Korean War, when there was rationing, people sold war bonds and even left their jobs to work in factories in the war industry. That created a bond between regular citizens and our military everybody had a role to play.”
Today’s disconnect is something the military has taken note of and is seeking to correct through a commission established to explore ways to close that gap.
In the meantime, Fisher said, civilians can do their part by actively engaging with the military.
“That’s something that is a lot easier for us to do here than a lot of places because we have Columbus Air Force Base in our community,” he said.
He encouraged civilians to invite military personnel to their homes, activities, clubs and churches where they can get to know the men and women who serve.
In more casual interactions, Fisher offered a bit of advice based on his own observations.
“Everybody says, ‘thank you for your service,’ maybe because they don’t know what else to say,” he said. “I’m sure it’s sincere, but for the military, most equate that to a meaningless phrase.
“I know that sounds harsh, but I think there’s a better way,” he added. “When you meet, ask them about their last assignment, their next assignment, what they do. These are the kinds of questions that let them know you are sincerely interested. That really opens a conversation and that’s how we get to know each other.”
The Base Community Council is made up of area citizens working together to assist Columbus Air Force Base and build strong relationships between the community and the base, identify common interests and inform the public about the base’s role in the community. The group sponsors activities with base personnel, works with the base on community projects and holds regular meetings and luncheons.
Barbara Bigelow, a member of the BCC committee who organized Thursday’s luncheon, said she had heard Fisher’s speech previously.
“I was so impressed by it and thought it was something everyone in our community needs to know,” she said. “I was really happy he was able to come and share that message with us because it was the perfect audience for it.”
Bigelow said BCC membership is open to all. Those interested in becoming members can inquire via email at [email protected].
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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