New Year's resolution

The Midwest Marines' Facebook page recently posted something about new year's resolutions. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm late to the party as usual, so I figured I'd post a little something here about my resolution.

First of all, I want to provide a little background. It's no secret I am a strong proponent of everyone - service members especially - carrying concealed weapons. Unfortunately, I'm stationed in one of only two states in the country that does not currently have a legal provision to do so. I'm hoping Wisconsin will pass a "Constitutional carry" provision this year which will rectify the problem.

But part of what goes along with that right to carry a weapon for self defense is the responsibility to be as proficient as possible, and that's what my new year's resolution is: THIS YEAR, I WILL ATTEND MORE SELF DEFENSE FIREARMS TRAINING.

This to me is more than just a resolution, and it's even more than just fulfilling my responsibility to be proficient.

Each year, men and women from across the country take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, and each year, some of those men and women die upholding that oath. This resolution is my way of paying homage to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; what better way is there to honor their sacrifice than by enjoying the rights for which they died defending.

Today's incentives for a job well done

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a fellow Marine staff NCO about "incentives" for a job well done. He and I joined the Marine Corps around the same time, and we both agreed our incentive to do a good job was little more than the boss giving us a pat on the back. We didn't then, nor do we now, have award or trinket fixation when doing our job.

It's sad that the same cannot be said for what seems like the vast majority of today's youth (wow do I feel old saying that). Nowadays, just to get someone to do their job to a basic level, there has to be some kind of tangible incentive in it for them over and above their base pay and benefits.

This is a completely foreign concept to me. To what does it speak though? Does it speak to how parents raise their children? Or does it speak to the influence TV has on how children are raised?

If this shift has occurred in less than 15 years, I'm honestly worried about the shift over the next 15 years.

Thoughts?