<p>I don’t think team sports provide an “infallible indicator of success”. Teams sports by their very nature indicate that there will be times when you don’t succeed, Or in sport’s terms; Win.</p>
<p>What “team” sports exemplifies is a group of individuals, each willing to put aside that individualism, to become a “Piece” in a puzzle of something much larger than themselves. But what’s MOST important is their “Motives”. They do it for the sole purpose of “Trying” to reach a goal. For the pure satisfaction that not only could they reach a particular goal, but that they have others with them that they can share the experience with. Others who know exactly how they feel because they feel exactly the same thing. For no other reason than that.</p>
<p>You may be fortunate that you have that type of work environment. Some people go a lifetime and never find that. That is part of what separates a Job from a Career. My question to you however is; “If they didn’t pay you to do it, (Your job), would you still show up and do it”? I know that isn’t a totally fair question because to some people the money is very important. On the other hand, there are a lot of teens who get jobs and it’s not that they are extremely poor. The point is; with games and practice, a typical team sport will require between 15-20 hours a week. That is roughly the same amount of hours than many part time jobs take up. Yet, team sport athletes do this totally without monetary compensation. many times it costs them money such as for shoes, clothing, equipment, etc… If you truly feel that you, at your job, have the same level of teamwork, satisfaction, accomplishment, reaching of goals, etc… that a team sport has, would you do it “FOR FREE”?</p>
<p>That’s part of the reason high school team sports are a good indicator or the type of teamwork, commitment, dedication, sacrifice, etc… that the military is looking for. Because it’s totally voluntary. There are no compensation. There is no questioning the possible motives the athlete has. They aren’t being paid to be there. They could easily be doing something else. There’s a very good chance, especially at the high school level, that the athlete may not even get a chance to play. They may be on the bench all year. How many people would stay at a job where they bust their ass all the time and get no recognition and are not allowed to contribute to “The Team”. And yet, they are being PAID to be there.</p>
<p>There is no argument that having a job can have many of the teamwork traits and skills that a team sport has. But they are not the same. They are totally different. After “Working” 21 years in the Air Force and the teamwork that you are referring to, I see a major difference now that I am back in the “Real World”. And, having also played many sports, I know that feeling also. It is totally different. Money can’t buy the feeling of participating on a team sport. Granted, it’s not for everyone. Then again, neither is the Air Force or military in general. Again I ask; would you continue at your job, with the great teamwork it has, and give them 20 hours a week without any pay? The athletes are doing that exact thing. And it is done for more than “Fun”. Later… Mike…</p>