Connecting with the Military

USAID people have a lot in common with military people: a wicked sense of humor, a sort of weird enthusiasm for hard problems, and a commitment to getting the job done no matter what. When USAID folks and military folks encountered each other in our overseas deployments, we bonded quickly, having both chosen a path of service, often in harm's way, and often far from our loved ones. USAID and DoD personnel lived together on remote bases under austere conditions. We worked together to address things like military coups, surprise helicopter landings, and catastrophic earthquakes. One or two USAID people also joined each class at year-long military training programs called “war colleges.” Whether in those classrooms or in the field, we learned a lot from each other. The military taught us the right way to ride a helo and how to start a fire with some surprising tools. USAID helped DOD connect with local communities, led disaster response, and made long-term progress on national security challenges like migration, disease, and climate change. If you’re a USAID alum or family member with a story about connecting with the military overseas, I’d love to hear it. Send a message at www.itwasneverajob.com.