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"Tour of duty" means fighting in combat, for years, at low pay. No it doesn't. If the army started paying better would it mean soldiers aren't taking tours of
by untog 11y ago
"Tour of duty" means fighting in combat, for years, at low pay.
No it doesn't. If the army started paying better would it mean soldiers aren't taking tours of duty any more?
Historically it has been a term associated with the army because it was one of very few ways a person could serve their country. I actually think it's a great repurposing of the term - despite the fact that it is a relative well-paid desk job I'd wager that a lot of people could get more money going to Google/Facebook/whatever. It's still a form of public service.
- brandonmenc 11y ago> It's still a form of public service. Great, then just say, "I did two years of service. For pay." Like, is a Senator doing a "tour of duty?"
- philsnow 11y agoIt used to be. A long time ago, senators had to take significant time away from their estates / jobs to 1) travel and 2) sit and talk about crap. It was a real burden. These days none of them are more than a ~12 hour flight away, they can fly in and vote on something and fly out, if they choose. It's less of a burden these days. Congress has also over the years found innumerable ways of enriching themselves during their terms.
- calbear81 11y agoIsn't everyone who works for the government somehow serving the public? I'll make sure I thank my local DMV clerk for doing their "tour of duty" next time I'm there.
- gboone42 11y agoThe tour of duty metaphor isn't perfect, but I've always interpreted the "tour" part to refer to the term limit. Everyone in the DS and at 18F has a hard term limit. Can't speak for every municipal government, so don't know about your DMV, but most federal employees can keep their jobs beyond four years if they choose to. I would bet that a DMV employee would appreciate a thank you, though.