Promoting Sheepdogs

Shannon and I went to Ft. Leavenworth yesterday for the promotion ceremony of one of our church members. Major R. became Lieutenant Colonel R. yesterday afternoon, perhaps the hardest to spell rank in the military (closely followed by Gunnery Sergeant, Ensign, and Corporal).

The crowd was about half civilian and half military, mostly mid-level officers (the dominant species in these parts). I thoroughly enjoy being around military folks, especially one on one. In fact, we had a very pleasant conversation with the commander, a Colonel, who promoted our friend. But unfortunately "military bearing" can sometimes come across as "hostile disgust," appropriately directed at terrorists but probably not the best tact with taxpayers. I've run into a few officers and soldiers in recent years who silently screamed with their eyes and posture, "I hate you and wish you'd just die." Every time I run into this I want to look them square in the eye and say, "I'm not an ignorant, helpless sheep, so stop looking at me like that!"

In military circles there's a maxim that only three types of people exist in the world: sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves. All kinds of conclusions are drawn from the similarities and differences between the sheepdogs and the wolves, with noble conclusions about the role of the sheepdog and his relationship to the sheep. But there's a glaring error with this little parable: sheepdogs don't work alone or for themselves. The adage obviously forgets the shepherds.

The leadership and care of a Pastor (which means shepherd) is vital whether you're talking about religious leaders or civilian ones. And the sheepdogs should always remember that they do their noble work at the behest of the shepherd.

I'm a strong advocate for the military and, as much as a civilian possibly can, I feel I can intelligently understand where they're coming from. Shepherds and sheepdogs are on the same team; we both understand great responsibility and ought to respect each other. So in spite of the gulf that exists between Army culture and civilian culture, there is little in this world that I respect more than military service and few things could make me more proud than if my boys would serve in the military.

They just better not look at me like that.