<p>It’s interesting how the traditional definition of words are changing. I spent 34 years in “public service” as mentioned in these articles. My four years in the Army was “Service” in which I served the needs of the country, did what I was told and went where I was sent. It was an obligation I felt and one in which I chose to undertake (while during the time of the draft, I enlisted). </p>
<p>My other years in a federal agency were positions I chose, places I wanted to be and jobs I desired to do. I never thought of that as “service” even though the career I was in was important, was appreciated, and desirable – but it was still a “government job.” My fear is that “public service” will become equated with “military service.” One way that happens is by positive expression in the media by those who wish to change the concept of “the government” (and thus, a “job” in government) from a negative to a positive image. It’s just not at all the same (a job in goverment vs. service in the military), by any stretch, in my opinion.</p>