View Full Version : Hero Professions
In a PP thread, I've put out the idea that I don't consider Soldier to be a heroic profession, and that I wish we could encourage young people considering the military in other directions, ideally with just as much heroic and socially redeeming status as we currently give to soldiers.
Two examples I used were Fireman, which is a very visibly heroic profession, and organic farmer, which to me is a way of bravely trying to do a good thing in a rather unconventional and underappreciated way.
What is your idea of a heroic profession? Do you feel the work you currently engage in gives you the opportunity to be - either quietly or right out there in the public eye - a hero? Do you wish your job were more 'heroic'?
Teachers immediately come to mind. Underpaid, perhaps under-appreciated, yet mainly the ones in charge of the education of our future generations.
Scientists too. Certainly not all, but those who are working on real solutions to our upcoming, serious problems. Not sure they are really heros however since many scientists love their jobs and would be doing much of what they do for free. :)
As a avid gardener, I'm not sure I'd consider an 'organic farmer' as a hero either. Definitely a worthwhile thing to do, benefits mankind, a 'calling', etc...
I can think of others (the garbageman, most police, certain politicians... ), but I'm not sure they are heros either.
....What is your definition of 'hero'?
ApatheticNoMore
1-30-11, 4:13pm
Medicine can be a pretty heroic profession. When you're right there at their mercy and they stitch you back together or whatever, you realize how grateful you are. I haven't had any major medical procedures, and yes the medical system in general is rather screwed up, but nonetheless. Heck I sometimes realize how grateful I am even to my dentist! (and again no huge dental problems or anything, just a few fillings). How unworthy the income I earn is of being able to really pay for what I receive in return from these people in some system of cosmic fairness (lucky I don't live in such a system, but merely live in a capitalist economy, which sorts out matters by other scales. Phew, what a relief!). This might not be what most people mean by heroism but ..... it may be the closest I can come. Maybe I don't really believe in heroism.
As for wanting a heroic job, nah, I think I'd just settle for a job that felt mildly purposeful and that felt well suited to expressing my creativity, and my actual interests and the like (aligned to my actual personality iow). I don't have that now. I have a paycheck. I don't consider what I do for a living immoral or anything (nor would almost anyone, it's not like I do something controversial), just rather pointless and not a very good fit for me.
I think the term "hero" is so overused today, and many times in the wrong way.
To me, you can be a "hero" in any profession.........as long as you are good at what you do, and kind and fair to others. Yes, there are people who risk their lives to save/help others and I admire that......but they need to be good people too.
I've worked with certain cardiac surgeons who I would trust my life with........but they were absolute jerks, and very unkind people. I suppose if they kept me from dying from a ruptured aneurysm, I would think they were a hero...........but how they treated the people they worked with.....well, they weren't a hero in that department.
I'm just very cautious about quickly calling someone a hero, or a group of people heroes. I would have to know more about them.
hmmmm....I was going to make a list until I read CathyA's answer and I think she is right. It is probably not good to group a profession into being heros when you don't know the individuals in that group.
IshbelRobertson
1-30-11, 5:41pm
Nurses
Firemen
Housewives
What do "hero" and "heroic" mean?
Organic farmers, to me, don't seem to meet the standard, unless you dilute the words to have no real meaning. I farm my land in an organic, sustainable fashion. Not to be "heroic", but to preserve the land over time, to increase the productivity of the land, and frankly, to make more money. I can charge a heck of a lot more for my products if they are "organic", "salmon-safe", and "sustainably produced".
I guess where I'm going with this is feeling like one prevailing reason that young people go into the military is for a sense of societal value and recognition. Certainly not the only reason, but a compelling one. I feel it could do nothing but good to encourage people Not to go into this particular career. Rather than, as I've been accused, "spitting on the troops", I'd like to be a bit more proactive in putting a positive spin on other careers with the same sort of social recognition factor, or other careers "on the side of the angels". Perhaps "heroic" is not the word I'm looking for. Redeeming? Valuable? Appreciated?
I guess where I'm going with this is feeling like one prevailing reason that young people go into the military is for a sense of societal value and recognition. Certainly not the only reason, but a compelling one.
I have to disagree with you here. I think a lot of young people go into the military because of enticements like a free college education, Veteran's Preference for government jobs, early retirement with a good pension, and just plain old unemployment in the civilian world. It's a poor kid's haven, career-wise.
As in most fields, there's a minority of soldiers with noble motives, of course. My first thought regarding heroes was "my doctor", who is both brilliant and compassionate. She was born to be a doctor and loves her work. But just this afternoon a friend reminded me that many doctors, particularly specialists, are in it for the money. I think we've all met the type or will, sooner or later. Teachers? I started out in college in Art Ed and discovered that many of my classmates chose the education field for job security, as at that time there was a great demand for public school teachers. One fellow male student used that curriculum to dodge the draft and didn't give a hoot about teaching.
IMO, heroism is sacrificing your own comfort and well-being in order to improve the lives of others, and that's a matter of character, not profession.
People who volunteer without expecting any recognition or compensation are true heroes.
I think the term "hero" is so overused today, and many times in the wrong way.
To me, you can be a "hero" in any profession.........as long as you are good at what you do, and kind and fair to others. Yes, there are people who risk their lives to save/help others and I admire that......but they need to be good people too.
I've worked with certain cardiac surgeons who I would trust my life with........but they were absolute jerks, and very unkind people. I suppose if they kept me from dying from a ruptured aneurysm, I would think they were a hero...........but how they treated the people they worked with.....well, they weren't a hero in that department.
I'm just very cautious about quickly calling someone a hero, or a group of people heroes. I would have to know more about them.
I totally agree with you Cathy.... I have been called heroic by my clients, and those who want home birth but are afraid to commit to it, for doing what I do, but I just do what I love. I provide a service to those that really need/want it, at risk of possible legal issues, since Midwifery has not been legalized in PA yet. There are many reasons why I do what I do, and I could fill up the bandwidth with that explanation, but because I believe in it with every cell of my body, does not make me a hero.....
In a PP thread, I've put out the idea that I don't consider Soldier to be a heroic profession, and that I wish we could encourage young people considering the military in other directions
I am the opposite in that I continually encourage people to join the armed services. There are a myriad of professions in the service that goes far beyond a front line soldier or grunt. All of which I consider heroic. The Navy Hospital ships that are deployed in hostile places for months or years to any area of the world that needs help. The National Guard heliocopter plunking stranded and injured hikers off a mountain in blizzard conditions. The Coast Guard sailor, pilot, or rescue swimmer out in 50 foot seas (often for months at a time) in a hurricane force winds and ice coated boats to rescue a fishing boat or pleasure boat. People who spend 9 months out of the year in the arctic or antactic on an icebreaker so that scientists and researches can do their jobs. Keeping drugs, arms, and illegals from entering the country or, along with the Navy and Marines, keeping waterways worldwide free of piracy. Cleaning up environmental disasters worldwide. And don't forget the joint effort of every armed service to help those in need after a natural disaster - be it flood or hurricane or earthquake or tsnaumi - all the military was there to rescue and render aid to the victims. Again, often for months on end living in deplorable conditions themselves. Doing all of that and so much more while living in extreme and dangerous situations, far from family and friends. Working 24/7 with no weekend golf or evenings spent at home with the spouse and kids and dog around the roaring fireplace. No holidays at home - sometimes never. None of the comforts and joys and ease of living that we all have. These are people who have sacrificed those comforts for a life of hardship so that the world will be a better place for all. So yeah, I not only consider the military a heroic profession, I consider it a higher calling. And it's not heroic because they give up a life of fame and wealth and luxury like Pat Tilman to serve their country and go out in a blaze of glory. It's heroic because they are the average person who is living in the trenches everyday. Stuck in the muck and the mire and drudgery of military life and who continue to do it day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year - never looking for or expecting glory.
IMO, heroism is sacrificing your own comfort and well-being in order to improve the lives of others, and that's a matter of character, not profession.
This is what I feel heroism is too. It's not the job, it's not the profession and it's not the desire to achieve some special status. It's about putting yourself in a situation that may be uncomfortable - even downright danerous - to improve the lives of others. So, for example, I don't consider a doctor to be heroic in that they do their 9 to 5 (with Wednesday off for golf :-)!) and go home to a live of comfort and ease every night. But I do consider a doctor who gives that up to be a "Doctors Without Borders" volunteer a hero.
It's heroic because they are the average person who is living in the trenches everyday. Stuck in the muck and the mire and drudgery of military life and who continue to do it day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year - never looking for or expecting glory.True, and the ones returning do need to be thanked, but too often aren't.
Rant on: I can't tell you how many times I have been called "Angel" and I am NOT an angel...but hospice nurses (in general) sacrifice their personal well-being for the comfort of folks that are dying and their families that are grieving. Several this week put their own safety in jeopardy in bad weather. They are heros.
Rant on: I can't tell you how many times I have been called "Angel" and I am NOT an angel...but hospice nurses (in general) sacrifice their personal well-being for the comfort of folks that are dying and their families that are grieving. Several this week put their own safety in jeopardy in bad weather. They are heros.
You ARE an angel to me! Had hospice workers (some volunteers) for my parents and they are all angels and heros IMHO. They truelly make such a huge difference to everyone. I think most people in medical professions are, well maybe not heros, but certainly have choosen a "noble" profession. Maybe that's a better word for KIBs OP about "hero Jobs". I think alot of jobs are noble - teachers, parents, researchers, etc... - even if they aren't strictly heroic (although they can be of course). Hospice nurse is at the top of that list for sure!
The Storyteller
2-5-11, 5:52pm
There is no such thing as a heroic profession. There may be individuals within a profession who are heroic or on occasion do heroic things, but having a particular occupation does not make one a hero.
Teachers immediately come to mind. Underpaid, perhaps under-appreciated, yet mainly the ones in charge of the education of our future generations.
Scientists too. Certainly not all, but those who are working on real solutions to our upcoming, serious problems. Not sure they are really heros however since many scientists love their jobs and would be doing much of what they do for free. :)
I must be a bad scientist. Wouldn't be doing it for free. Some people would say doctors but notice they don't do it for free either. Is that a criteria for heroism? I'm not sure. If so, Search and Rescue folks get my vote hands down. We looked into that and it's like a second, unpaid job that has an outlay of a few $1000/year. They save lives probably as much as an EMT (also heroic in my book) do but it's totally unpaid and facing conditions EMT folks don't even begin to think about. Depending on the situation, they might face an icy cliff or a 115F desert, a raging, flood-swelled river or dark mountainside.
I don't believe there are hero professions, but there are ordinary people who do extraordinary things in all walks of life. People who put themselves at risk to benefit others, people who overcome their fears because they need to. People who stand on principle when it would be easier to go with the flow.
There are lots of folks like that in the military and any attempt to belittle the profession belittles them. They deserve better.
Gardenarian
2-9-11, 5:45pm
My nephew and his wife are in training for the Peace Corps, which I think is a great alternative to the military.
It shocks many in my circle that I still consider the military to be a heroic profession. I believe it is only our recent involvement in wars of questionable value (and we don't have to discuss those, because opinions vary greatly) that has tarnished the image of soldiers. If these same soldiers were involved in physically protecting the people and property of the United States, I think many would be singing a different tune. I find the armed forces admirable, in general, and only wish our soldiers were treated better.
BUT I tend to agree with Alan most of all. There are heroic people in all walks of life. I've known some really cr@ppy firemen and some really amazing librarians.
I'd encourage our young people to be courageous, pursue their dream with great resolve, and try to leave a positive mark on the world in some way in whatever profession they choose.
Well ... where I was going with this thread was a takeoff from PP - there seemed to be agreement that the military is out of control as far as spending and growth. To my way of thinking, encouraging more increases at the base of the pyramid is only going to "grow" the whole thing even more. Since I don't feel like we the people have much control at all over this behemoth, one idea that seemed logical to me is to try to encourage young people who want to feel valued in a different direction that has some of the same sort of psychological reward as being a soldier. Perhaps I stated my point badly, because it wasn't my intention to say that people in the military can't be heroic and good, or that there's something inherently glorious or evil about any career. Again, it's not my intention to put anyone down. I'm just looking for some grass roots ideas that might have a better / larger impact on military reduction than writing to my congressman, who at last notice was airing a radio commercial about targeting Obama for removal from office ... (and wouldn't that be an improvement, I can barely remember the vp's last name, such a presence he is.)
Growth of the military isn't likely to stop until we come up with alternatives to oil as our main source of energy, IMO. And since so much is being spent on the military, there's little left over for researching alternative energy solutions. It's a vicious circle, and I'm not sure the government would want to give up military speding even if oil were not the issue. In the government's view, military spending is good for the economy. The USA is all about growth, you know, even if that growth proves malignant. And as I said in my previous post, the benefits of joining up are quite appealing to young men and women whose parents can't afford college.
Let me add protest organizer in Cairo to Hero professions. They did an amazing job.
Right on Redfox. It takes amazing strength and selflessness to put yourself in the forefront of bucking 30 years of tyranny at your the risk of losing your life. And protesting isn't a profession no matter how many 60s hippies might think so. I also agree with others who think hero professions aren't necessarily a reality. The two guys from America who spent two weeks using their professional experience to help free those Chilean miners by working around the clock are heros in my view. Not because they're good drillers, but because they put the lives of those miners before their own comfort. Unlike the CEO of BP who just wanted his life back after the oil spill.
I work for a city in a position that puts me in everyday contact with our police officers and volunteer firefighters. There is a pervasive attitude a large percentage of them have that they are full time heros. This was exacerbated by the media coverage in the months following September 11th. Yes, those firefighters and police officers that ran into those towers were heroic. But I don't believe that immediately made everyone who wears the uniform all over the country a hero. Being a hero has to earned by heroic deeds. Issuing traffic tickets doesn't necessarily qualify you. Are you gutzy because you approach cars without knowing what might happen? Sure. But to call that heroic deminishes the value of true heros.
San Onofre Guy
2-14-11, 3:31pm
I also work around cops and firefighters. Most rarely if ever get exposed to heroic situations. Many who die on duty (very few do) often die as a result of their own stupidity. There were many rescue people in 9/11 who blindly put themselves in harms way without direction. A few years ago in South Carolina I think it was many firefighters died in the collapse of a furniture store fire, those who died should not have been in the building as it was already a total loss and no people were inside. they were labled as heros but few pointed out that they never should have been inside the building.
Does anyone know the most dangerous task performed by police officers? Making a traffic stop due to the chance of getting hit by a car, even on the side of the freeway. Cops rarely are shot at let alone struck by a bullet
I think one of the biggest problems with finding "hero-type" professions - say police officer or firefighter - is that they are few and far between and often have a huge amount of qualified applicants (people who have already gone thru the police or fire acadamies). So to find suitable professions for all the military people would be impossible. And most of the other professions listed here have fairly high educational requirerments. Something a poor kid with no hope for college or even trade school could hope to attain. Maybe it would be better if the military does what they have done with the Nat. Guard and Coast Guard (both part of the Armed Forces) and place much of the non-combat and support jobs that have a peacetime role into a different area that can be called up in the event of a war. For instance the Coast Guard is part of the Dept of Homeland Security but still has military duties (including combat duties) during wars or armed "events". The structure is the same as all the other military - enlisted with 6 years of obligatory service, same pay, benefits, training, etc.. - but they are funded by a different govmint org. This could be done with alot of military professions (which make up the bulk of the military compared to "combat" troops). For instance the health professions in the military can become part of the Public Health Agency, etc.. Of course no matter what you do you still need to train and equipt all people in the Armed Forces to be combat ready. So that money will likely still come from the DoD.
And again, I wanted to say that the military offers so much more than just front line combat duty. Pretty much every trade and profession is represented and can be had by most people. The type of training and opportunities someone can recieve can mean a much better life for them down the road - especially when their only civilian opportunity is to be a burger-flipper at Mickey-D's. So reducing jobs in the military also reduces opportunities for a huge number of people. I know as a female entering the Coast Guard in the mid-70's, I was able to do things I never would have been able to as a female in the civilian world... and for equal pay. I for one would like to see young people today continue to have those same opportunites in their lives.
I guess where I'm going with this is feeling like one prevailing reason that young people go into the military is for a sense of societal value and recognition. Certainly not the only reason, but a compelling one. I feel it could do nothing but good to encourage people Not to go into this particular career. Rather than, as I've been accused, "spitting on the troops", I'd like to be a bit more proactive in putting a positive spin on other careers with the same sort of social recognition factor, or other careers "on the side of the angels". Perhaps "heroic" is not the word I'm looking for. Redeeming? Valuable? Appreciated?
While military service has been an honorable tradition in my family, I'm not sure social recognition is the main motivator. For many it is an accessible job that doesn't require expensive schooling as a prerequisite. Others feel that youthful need to go somewhere other than where they've been all their life, and if college isn't affordable or acedemically doable or personally attractive, the military will certainly send you somewhere! My late DH traveled all around the Pacific Rim in the Navy, definitely saw the world through a porthole. He also lived a year longer than he would have without VA medical care when he got cancer in 2008. Then there's the not unreasonable feeling that a defenseless country wouldn't last long in the world as it presently is.
Then there's my cousin who wasn't interested in schooling in high school, but in the Marines he got interested and they sent him to college and then a Master's and trained him as a pilot. He retired after 20 years and then flew commercially for 20 years and then retired again and I must say the military gave him one tremedous life.
Then there are all the homes my various husbands bought with favorable VA loan terms. It's a very practical choice.
screamingflea
2-18-11, 2:32pm
I've also heard the term "action profession" in reference to police, military, and certain branches of public service like firefighters and EMS for jobs that are highly physical and stressful. While one may not agree philosophically with everything the police and military do, it's safe to point out that those jobs take a phenomenal amount of courage.
Edit: In light of recent events I think it's fair to include journalists in this category as well. Not typically, but when the situation calls for it they show every bit as much courage and the stakes can be just as high as a negotiator walking into a hostage situation, or someone racing into a burning building to save a child.
I think one of the biggest problems with finding "hero-type" professions - say police officer or firefighter - is that they are few and far between and often have a huge amount of qualified applicants (people who have already gone thru the police or fire acadamies). So to find suitable professions for all the military people would be impossible.
Huh. What about all the people who get out of the military? People I personally know who got out of the military now do or have done the following: computer network support (DH), police officer followed by anti-terrorist analyst (friend of DH), president of a non-profit charitable organization (friend), electrician (FIL), machine maintenance at factory (BIL), nurse administrator (aunt), lawyer (cousin). Many of these people learned skills while in the military that helps/helped them do their jobs later, but none of these jobs actually required military service. In some cases, the military service provided a structured environment during which the individual could mature without getting into too much trouble, and an environment where consequences of one's actions were swiftly realized leading to faster maturity >8)
Huh. What about all the people who get out of the military? People I personally know who got out of the military now do or have done the following: computer network support (DH), police officer followed by anti-terrorist analyst (friend of DH), president of a non-profit charitable organization (friend), electrician (FIL), machine maintenance at factory (BIL), nurse administrator (aunt), lawyer (cousin). Many of these people learned skills while in the military that helps/helped them do their jobs later, but none of these jobs actually required military service. In some cases, the military service provided a structured environment during which the individual could mature without getting into too much trouble, and an environment where consequences of one's actions were swiftly realized leading to faster maturity >8)
I totally agree. Even though I now have 2 college degrees (thanks to Uncle Sam) my formal military training was much more valuable to finding a job IRL than my education.
What I was trying to say above was that it would be hard to find suitable "heroic-type" professions for a young person just out of high school INSTEAD of joining the military. To find those kind of jobs would be difficult as they may have no experience, opportunities, or education, and no way to obtain that experience, opportunities, or education EXCEPT by joining the service.
Let me add protest organizer in Cairo to Hero professions. They did an amazing job.
Amen to that. And did you see the 60 minutes piece about the fruit seller in Tunisia who sparked the recent revolution there? Ordinary young man selling fruit in the marketplace, responded to corruption by setting himself on fire in protest. Within days the dictator had fled. The people in Tunisia credit Facebook with making it possible for them to communicate in spite of gov't attempts to stop them.
This is heroic to me: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1378237514624
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