For Veterans Day this year, I want to do something different. I will honor those who served by giving those who have not served a glimpse of the kinds of work all servicemembers do for Uncle Sam.

Without giving away any military secrets, I will share something that probably all who have served in the armed forces know well, but may not be understood by those who have not.

After serving in and with the U.S. Army for nearly forty years, I have observed there are three defining groups of workers: officers vs. enlisted, leaders vs. staff, and specialists vs. generalists. Anyone who has served in any branch can identify with one or the other, in each of the three categories.

First, let me highlight some biblical principles. Then, I will provide some insights on each of the different types of military workers who have served our country so well. At the end of this discussion, I am hoping that all workers, both veterans who have served in a variety of career fields and non-military, will see a little more clearly how God can use them right where they work.

Many Parts, One Body

The Apostle Paul describes various spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. He lists them in verses 7-10. Then, he compares parts of the human body to spiritual gifts. He makes several points which are pertinent to the members of a local church. However, I have noticed the following biblical principles that can be applied to workers in any workplace:

• It takes many different kinds of jobs to make an organization function (v. 12)
• Everyone in the organization is necessary and valuable (vv. 15-20)
• Every member is dependent on the other members of the team (v. 21)
• No one is less important; we should be concerned and help each other (vv. 22-26)

In the same manner, the three types of workers in the military mentioned above (which are also found in other types of organizations) have their own special purpose as part of the team. Each individual contributes to the benefit of the whole, which enables their unit to accomplish their assigned mission.

Officers vs. Enlisted

The vast majority of the military workforce are enlisted personnel. From privates to noncommissioned officers (NCOs), for the most part, they function as the blue-collar workers. They get things done. When they are promoted to the rank of a senior NCO (or service equivalent), they are considered management.

Then there are the officers, who receive their commission from a service academy like West Point or Annapolis, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) through a four-year college or university, or Officer Candidate School for prior enlisted servicemembers. These are the white-collar workers.

It makes perfect sense for any organization, like a human body as well as a local church, to have many members who work together behind the scenes to get things done, while there are a handful of leaders in charge of their teams. Larger organizations are a “team of teams,” which require more workers and more leaders, both NCOs and officers, to keep things moving in the right direction.

Leaders vs. Staff

As an officer or enlisted servicemember, you will serve either as a leader or on a staff. For example, an enlisted staff sergeant may be assigned as a squad leader and later will serve on a battalion staff. A captain might be a company commander for a while and then serve on a division staff. Leadership opportunities are less frequent. You generally spend more time on staff positions.

For the Christian, as a military leader of a squad, platoon, company, battalion, brigade, or higher, you are called to be a servant leader. Jesus clearly demonstrated this when he washed the disciples’ feet in the upper room the day before he gave up his life. And, if you find yourself as a worker on someone’s staff, you are called to submit to those in authority over you. (See Col. 3:22-24.)

Specialists vs. Generalists

You may have noticed that you can be a member of more than one group. An officer could be a leader or on a staff. The same can be said about enlisted members. You also will see that either of these types of personnel could serve in a specialized position or do something more general.

There are some jobs in the military where a person is able to focus on just one thing. I was an Army recruiter for a season. That was all I did. It was my sole purpose in life. In the vast majority of other jobs I’ve had, my lane has been far wider. In my current job, for example, the team of NCOs and junior officers who work with me are responsible for taking care of people and equipment, calendars, briefing slides, VIP visits, ceremonies, meetings, monthly reports, and much more.

Closing Thoughts

We know that it takes different kinds of people to make an organization function. Do we treat all team members with dignity, respect, and gratitude for the ordinary work that they do?

Do we look down on those who supervise us, not realizing that good leaders are necessary? Do we speak words that let everyone know that they are valuable and are vitally important to the success of the team?

I trust this glimpse into the military workforce has given you a new appreciation for what they did while serving their country and that it expanded your view about the kinds of workers and leaders you have in your own organization. Let us encourage the various workers God has placed in our midst. May we see that we need them and treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.

And let us continue to honor our brave men and women who answered the call to serve in times of war and peace. God used their work as leaders and staff in a variety of occupational specialties to keep the world safe in times of war, and kept them strong and ready to defend in times of peace.

Editor’s note: This article was adapted from the author’s personal blog. Republished with permission.