"I didn't ask for this beer, but I'll accept it anyway"...or somethinglike that. A scene from outside healys tavern and an agreement to makeit the next blog title.

Things have been quite an up and down of events but, neither fun yet exciting. As usual, life has been plagued by the adventures and  exciting times on the bus. Recently, my promotion as a field training officer has been in overdrive. I have been doing my part to mold the future of the organization. In doing this I have been delivered a severe blow as to what the future holds. 

As I am always reluctant to do, I must give thanks to my parents and coaches growing up for turning me into the man I am today. I can only wish that today's youth could have such a guiding light, because.... DAYUM! 

We have approached two polar opposites of the new employee who has entered not only this organization but society as a whole. There are the obedient and respectful. And there are those who feel they are entitled and need to be put into place. 

The respectful are few and far between, but much appreciated. When given information they accept it and remember it for what it is. They are willing to ask questions and not just assume things on their own. They have manners not only for their coworkers but their superiors as well. They make working a breeze and it makes the job so much more meaningful.

As far as the entitled, they have made working an utter nightmare. They have it all figured out despite not seeing a thing. They want to drive when they are clueless about the response area. Yet they act like we should consider ourselves blessed to be in their presence. 

I wish I could say that this was a thing when I was their age, but only a few short years ago it wasn't. I was raised by people who taught you how to behave, when to speak, and when to keep your mouth shut. We had discipline. We knew not to show up to a job interview in a pair of jogging pants and sneakers. 

(And yes that really happened.)

Now lets take a second and look at what is going on here... At what point in any one of our lives were we told that sweatpants were acceptable to wear to a job interview? Hell, I freak out if my suit is not absolutely perfect when I arrive for an entrance exam. Granted I look like 10 points of shit in a 5 pound bag, but I atleast make an effort. Then the real kick in the ass is when you see the "specimen" that had barely had his shit together when going through the hiring process on the truck going to a working fire, and youre on the sidelines with your jump bag and a yellow helmet that clearly says, "I'm still waiting for my shot to move out of this job!"

The youth of America lacks discipline. They were never told the word know and they don't understand rejection. I find it amazing that this is how things have played out. Maybe it's just how I was raised but we really have gone down a horrible path. 

Where have we gone wrong as a society? Why does it feel like those with common sense are the ones who finish last? Why does it feel like those who are in positions of authority are lacking intelligence. Granted, not all those in leadership positions are, but I've found a great deal of those who are put in control of serious responsibility have a difficult time with basic life skills. I don't mean life skills like math and reading, but more so on a primitive level. Skills such as breathing, walking, or sitting down without injuring themselves. 

A perfect example of this is when I need to obtain transcripts from the college in which I graduated from. Many of those who work there cannot execute basic tasks nor can they function without the direct orders of a supervisor. That is scary knowing that these are the people who run out higher education. Which is proof that those that make it through college bear no weight at all on society. God only knows the Rhode Scholars that are running admissions. I would assume they spend most of the day coloring pretty pictures for mommy and daddy to hang on the fridge. 

I've quickly come realize our future is doomed and I know why the elderly are so angry at the youth of today. I think we are doomed. But in the meantime, I will continue to try and keep the future of EMS alive and well. Weeding out the those who are not cut out of this line of work, and those who just seem to take to this job, like a duck to water.

Now I know this doesn't solely apply to EMS, everyone has that person they work with that they feel only had gotten their job because someone had felt really bad for them. Or that they may be part of a employment aid program giving people jobs in a half-assed attempt to help the economy, knowing whole-heartedly they will blow their entire paychecks on sour patch kids and video games. You know, those who really need and can appreciate the title that they hold... But until then we all keep out heads held high and spew lies of optimism through out teeth. We give Oscar worthy acts of excitement for these organisms as we pull the emotional knife from out abdomens and continue to press on. However, one day our call will come, and then we will have the chance to serve under the kid who interviewed in sweatpants.