Ask the Stress Doc -- Q & A

Ask the Stress Doc Q & A/Digital City--Washington, DC

1) Are Military Civilians Treated as Second Class Citizens?

Q. Is everyone afraid to investigate this problem? At the Marine Corps Exchange, Camp Pendleton, there are civilians working for Marine Corps Community Services. In the offices of the Marine Corps Exchange everyone is expected to act and perform like an executive in a fortune five hundred company. These people are paid below the poverty level. The pay range for the Marine Corps Exchange Stock Control section is about 6.90 to 13.00+. Employees who have consistently received excellent performance reports, and worked there for 7 to 10 years, are unable to get more than forty or fifty cents over the entry level pay and individual raises are non existent. There hasn't been a cost of living pay adjustment in five years. There are people working there that can't afford to miss a paycheck. There are people there who would give up and commit suicide if not for their kids. I know that their kids will grow up eventually, for that I am asking for help.

A. I guess the Marines don't have to worry about unionizing so they can keep their wages low. I do know civilians who work in the military services often feel like second class citizens, though not all have "poverty" level wages. I'm not sure what avenues of redress there are: a) is there a civilian ombudsmen? or b) what about contacting your local Congressional representative? As for those who have been there a number of years with few raises, and feeling on the edge emotionally, I'd suggest they call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP Counselor might guide them to a job/career change specialist as well as help them cope with day to day stress. Some jobs are meant to be time-limited; your job sounds like one of them. I'd suggest new training or new job seeking. Shake up the puzzle; get out of the box. (Just living for your kids is a formula for burnout.) Therapy, support or 12-step groups can be powerful coping, motivating and problem-solving vehicles. To hard work, some inner peace and good adventures. Email for more career transition articles.) And, of course...Practice Safe Stress!

Mark Gorkin, LICSW, the Stress Doc, a psychotherapist and nationally recognized speaker, trainer, consultant and author, is also known as AOL's and the internet's "Online Psychohumorist" ™. Check out his USA Today Online "Hot Site" website - www.stressdoc.com  and his page on AOL/Online Psych, Keyword: Stress Doc

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