Never Again Volunteer Yourself (NAVY)

So here we go, let's talk about "volunteering" with very different organizations and how your experience with each can be very different from the others.  But before I go on, let me just state for the record that I still volunteer for a few organizations these days. Some of them I've been with for many years. 

All in all, for the most part, I enjoy volunteering. Of course, as is the way with many things, I've found that volunteering for some groups can be a lot better than volunteering for others. Part of that also depends on what these groups do and who's running them. 

For almost 30 years, starting back in 1995, I've volunteered my time with several different groups. I remember the first group that I volunteered for was a therapeutic riding group. When it was still going, it specialized in horse therapy for handicapped children. I was "Tom the Wrangler." I helped care for the horses and I'd lead the horses and kids around. It was extremely rewarding. 

Later I volunteered with PTSD groups, then I helped at the Veterans Administration, and later with the local American Legion. I still volunteer with the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association, the John Coffee Hays Club, a Marine Corps League Detachment, and the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office. 

Next year, it will be my 30th year that I've been involved with the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association. And yes my friends, believe it or not, I still coordinate the security for our yearly Aloha Festivals. For me, since I'm originally from Hawaii, it is my way of giving back and enjoying the culture of where I'm from. It's been a wonderful group. 

I used to volunteer at the American Legion at a local post for about 13 years. I was the 2nd Vice Commander and Adjutant for Post 376 in Glencoe, California. That was a horrible situation. I'll talk more about that in a little while.

As for the John Coffee Hays Club? After a speaking engagement with the John Coffee Hays Club, I accepted a volunteer position as that group's Old West Historian. They are all good people. The club raises money for charities. It's a social group of mostly politically incorrect Conservative friends who practice free speech while also respecting others. We like to think we're the way Americans should be -- unmuzzled and unafraid. 

I'm the present Commandant of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1080 in Ione, California. I love being a member of that group. It's a great group to volunteer for. I'm very honored to be their Commandant. Overall, that group is very much a social group, a lot of fun, with very friendly people. 

Maybe it's because most of us are older and we seem to have pretty thick skin, but not too much offends us in the way of how someone in our group says something -- unless of course, someone acts like a jerk. And really, who likes putting up with a jerk? Not us.

Of course, I'm also still a Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer. I've been with them for about 3 and a half years. Unlike the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association, the John Coffee Hays Club, and the Marine Corps League Detachment which are definitely social groups full of like-minded people, the Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer is very different because it's not a volunteer group that someone joins if they're looking for a social group. 

The Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer Unit is very business-like. Volunteers represent the Sheriff's Office and are treated like employees with all of the Human Resources rules and regulations that go with being an employee. And while I have a real sense of camaraderie and friendship with my long-time friends in the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association, the John Coffee Hays Club, and my Marine Corps League Detachment, the Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteer doesn't have that. 

I think the reason for that has to do with our role as volunteers and the way we support the Sheriff's Office. The Calaveras County Sheriff's Volunteers is a community service-oriented volunteer group of members who work on their own for the most part. 

Most of us don't see each other but once a month at our monthly meetings. And yes, there can be a lot of frustration when dealing with some personalities -- especially when there are some folks who simply don't like other people. You know them, they are the people who are so negative that they will never see anything good in others. 

Of course, just because a group isn't very social or doesn't have the closeness of other volunteer groups, that shouldn't stop someone from volunteering with it. It all depends on what you want to do, what you want out of the group, and what you're willing to put up with in the way of petty politics and meanspirited people. 

As I keep saying, not all volunteer groups are social groups. And from my experience, I can tell you there's a huge difference between volunteering for various organizations. One of the biggest differences is expectations in the way how the group "requires" volunteers to behave. Some groups are, let's say more understanding of someone's quirky sense of humor, the way someone was raised, their manners, their outlook on life, and of course their dislike of today's political correctness requirements. 

For example, in government organizations, such as the VA, some administrators expect people to speak and act in a prescribed way. It's their job to make sure that policies are followed -- including policies regarding the speech and behavior of paid employees and unpaid volunteers. Those administrators regulate the behavior of everyone from their paid employees to their unpaid volunteers, and maybe even visitors and patients. 

Everyone is monitored. What they say and their actions, if deemed inappropriate to the organization, is noted. Even a joke can get one in deep trouble if the joke is deemed insensitive by the powers to be. 

Of course, political correctness is what it is in our society today. In government organizations and big corporations, administrators today are very concerned with what their paid employees and their unpaid volunteers say and do. Those organizations are very concerned with how your language and behavior affect others. In today's world, both in government and business, no one wants to hurt the feelings of others even unintentionally or accidentally. And yes, administrators guard against that. 

While some volunteers and staff will tell you that some of the monitors act like Big Brother on steroids, and how some administrators act like they were trained in the old Soviet Union Communist Party where speech and actions are controlled, it's all part of the world we live in today. Your choice is whether you want to volunteer for an organization like that. Some find it okay, mostly because they are used to it since they retired from working in government, while others end up quitting. I was told that it's one of the reasons for the high volunteer turnover in some groups.   

And believe it or not, there's more to this. Out of their concern for the feelings of others, some organizations will try to "modify" or even "suppress" the free speech and actions of people in their organization. With today's sensitivities, for today's way of thinking, it seems that they believe it needs to be done to make everyone more sensitive and tolerant of others. In that way, everyone can live in a one-size-fits-all society where an individual's actions are regulated. 

Frankly, I found that such things made people more apt to hold back and watch what they said to such an extent that people acted as if they were too afraid to speak their minds out of fear of repercussions. I found it very interesting to watch some of the Counselors at the VA ask a Veteran how he's doing, but then admonish him for not stating his status in a more politically correct manner. Imagine that! 

And yes, I've found that some government organizations condition their people to walk on eggshells so they wouldn't "offend" others. The other thing that I've learned when dealing with the VA was how they wanted volunteers to adhere to their politically correct rules and regulations, even if some of us who grew up in a different generation have never had to put up with those sorts of limits on our freedoms. Most of us were brought up with common sense and common courtesy for others dictating what we could or couldn't say or do. 

It wasn't easy to be around and associate with people who were always monitoring your behavior and correcting you on your speech, or even how you pronounced something. I hated feeling like everything I did or said was noted and would be somehow used against me later -- all because I may have inadvertently offended someone's sensitivities. That's partly why I quit volunteering there. Frankly, volunteering there started out as feeling pretty rewarding. But after a while, I just didn't want to be there. 

So really most of the volunteer groups that I've belonged to have been either a lot of fun, just filled with great friends and camaraderie, or as with the Sheriff's Volunteers more business-like and not so social based. The several years I've spent volunteering at the American Legion were filled with worry, frustration, jealousy, hate, back-stabbing, bickering, and petty politics with everyone wanting to be the boss but no one wanting to step up to help. While it had its moments of few laughs over the years, it's an organization that I truly regret volunteering for. 

From 2009 until 2022, I was the 2nd Vice Commander at a local American Legion Post here in Glencoe, California. All officers, whether it's the Commander or the Sergeant-At-Arms, are volunteers. As the post's "Second Vice," following the Post ByLaws at the time, my position put me in charge of the day-to-day operations of the post, the running of the canteen (bar) and kitchen, the special events such as Bar-B-Ques and Holiday celebrations, the rental of the facility, the maintenance of the post, the licenses, and I was in charge of the post's Honor Guard. 

It sometimes felt like a full-time job. And while over the years I got a lot of help from the Finance Officers and volunteers who were not Veterans, I never got any help from the Post Commander who would only show up once a month to run the Monthly Meetings. He'd show up, I'd had him his "script" on what to say, then he'd return to the bar. 

Looking back on it now, with all of the cliques, the animosity and hate swirling around the place, especially the jealousy and backbiting. and the constant negativity that was thrown toward me and a few other volunteers by the local drunks who sat on their backsides while the Finance Officers and I worried about how to keep the place afloat, I see those 13 thankless years of busting my tail as being wasted. 

After I finally resigned from my position in 2022, I found out that many people there really hated how I ran the post. I found out later, as silly as it sounds, the number one reason that they hated me was because I tried to turn that American Legion Post into a more family-friendly place. Imagine that. 

When I got there, the local American Legion was a snobbish group of local drinkers who didn't even want to spend the money fixing its damaged walls and foundation, or painting the place. For what was supposed to be a "Veterans Club," it was not inviting to veterans.  And worse, it was going broke. 

In a town with a population of 189, they didn't like that some of us wanted to make it our community's gathering place. It's amazing how many people were against that. But a few of us saw the need to get the community to support the place. And after a while, we built what became our community's center. 

Of course, at the time, I brushed off the shitty attitudes as not worth worrying about because the people who did the most complaining about the kids being present, or the lights being turned up, or the noise from everyone having a great time, were coming from the same people who didn't volunteer to help out around the place. All they did was complain and point their fingers at how others weren't doing things right. And no, they weren't happy.    

Friends, it's not like I didn't see the writing on the wall when I first got there. Please understand, that when I got there, I was amazed to find out how many veterans were against helping our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was amazed to find out that the American Legion didn't do anything for local veterans. I was also amazed to find out that members of that post weren't interested in doing anything for veterans. 

Besides not wanting to spend a dime to even paint the old building, they said "No" to helping vets. In fact, at one of our monthly meetings, I remember bringing up sending Care Packages to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was told, "No." I was told, "They must have an Exchange over there." Image that. And that happened at a meeting of veterans in charge of the American Legion post. 

I also remember wanting to raise funds to help veterans in our area who needed assistance. I was told, "No." I also remember wanting to get our American Legion post to help out at the VA Hospital in Sacramento. No one cared for that either.   

It was later that volunteers like myself and others started a Veterans Relief Fund at that post. We made meals inexpensive so Seniors and veterans without much would be able to get a meal for almost nothing. We made it a place where families enjoyed bringing their kids. It took volunteers to stay the course and not quit even though the petty politics of those wanting to return to the bad old days made it a place not worth helping at times. 

Volunteers made it work. While only a few veterans actually volunteered, thankfully a lot of locals who had generational ties to the building came forward. We cooked. We cleaned. We put on events during almost every calendar holiday. We did fundraisers. And we made it into a good place worth coming to -- despite the cliques and jerks who wanted it to just be a place for local drunks. 

I'm told that it's now reverted back to the way it used to be many years ago. I'm told that it's because people have stopped volunteering and have left. And yes, that's why I see those 13 years of busting my tail for that place as being wasted. I find it sad. No matter how much time and effort, all of my own money that I and other volunteers poured into that place, the end result is that it has gone downhill and has become nothing even close to it once was. 

What's ironic is that my friends tell me that the place isn't even for Veterans anymore. A few Veterans hold officer positions, but I'm told the place is run by non-veterans. I heard they keep their Veteran status and the place's 501(3) non-profit status while they rack in a lot of money. And the people who have taken it over, are running it as a "for-profit" business while still claiming a "non-profit" status to get out of paying for-profit taxes.

So frankly, I'm glad I haven't had anything to do with the place for almost 2 years now. It's a shame to see it go from what it was for so many years -- just to return to how it is today. But that's the other part of volunteering, you can only hope something will hold together once you stop volunteering and leave. Of course, as for the American Legion up here, some say it seems just a matter of time before it shuts its doors -- especially since they can't find volunteers to work there.  

A few days ago, I was talking with an old friend who served in the Navy. We both volunteered at the American Legion up here for many years. We were talking about the problems at the American Legion and how they now can't find volunteers to keep the place afloat. He was saying that some of the people still hanging around there are waiting for people like us to return and make things right again. 

Of course, that's not going to happen. As my close friend reminded me recently, we don't have to volunteer for a that is no fun or simply not worth our time. We've been there. We did that. We don't need to do it again. The American Legion may have some good posts, but the one here locally isn't for Vets. And really, that's sad.

As we talked about our time volunteering at the American Legion, we both laughed when remembering the number one rule for all of us who served in the military "Never Volunteer." To make life easier while serving in the military, most of us were given the advice, "Never Volunteer." It seems we forgot that rule when it came to a place like the American Legion where appreciation and gratitude for volunteers were non-existent.

My friend reminded me of what the acronym "NAVY" stands for among Navy Vets. It's an old joke among Sailors. If used as an acronym, the word "NAVY" can be translated to mean, "Never Again Volunteer Yourself."

While I was always told it was a joke, that the acronym "NAVY" meant "Never Again Volunteer Yourself," I had no idea until recently that the phrase "Never Again Volunteer Yourself" is an old adage that originated when Americans volunteered for service in the Navy around World War I. At least that's what I was told. And yes, I was also told the phrase "Never Again Volunteer Yourself" was also used by unhappy Soldiers who volunteered to join the Army during World War II. 

My friend reminded me that we once volunteered and learned the hard way to "Never Again Volunteer Yourself." And yes, from what I remember about my time as a Marine aboard a ship as part of the ship's company, "Never Again Volunteer Yourself" seemed to be the U.S. Navy's unofficial motto. It was a term that perfectly fit those Sailors with disgruntled attitudes. It fits those who don't want to put forth more of themselves than they should. 

My friends, this blog is about volunteering which is defined as offering to do something without being forced or paid to do it. Volunteering is all about stepping forward and doing so through one's own free will. It means not expecting something in return. It means not needing acclaim, reward, or promotion. It means giving time and one's skills freely and without coercion. Most of the time, we volunteer to do things we feel passionate about. 

In the case of the American Legion, it was the only place we had here in our little town where we could have a good meal and enjoy friendships. The petty politics and drama, the bickering and the jealousy, all helped to kill it. Those of us who volunteered to try to keep it alive didn't do it for awards or some sort of acclaim. We did it because we wanted to keep something good here in our little town.  

And I'll tell you this. While appreciation and gratitude go a long way in keeping volunteers happy, volunteers shouldn't expect it. No, whatever you do, don't expect it. No matter how hard you work, no matter how much of a good job you do, you better understand that that's just for you. Frankly, I believe that's the way it should be in the long run. 

I used to remind my volunteers about how much they meant to me personally and the place all the time. But really, I found that it's fundamentally up to you to feel good about what you've given back. If you expect appreciation and gratitude, even if you have worked harder than anyone else there, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. That's why you have to feel good about what you're doing and not expect much more.

If someone is volunteering to gain recognition, or for awards, promotions, or for want to be noted, or if they want cheering crowds, or expect others to throw flowers at their feet as if they're some sort of mythical hero; if someone is expecting accolades and proclamations celebrating their good deeds; then they shouldn't be volunteering. Volunteering is selflessness. 

To me, volunteering should be like making donations. It should be done anonymously without wanting credit or acclaim for it. It should be done without expecting anything in return. But yes, we can all hope that our volunteering can be fun and rewarding with a good feeling about what you're doing. So yes, it should make you feel good. If it doesn't make you feel good, then I recommend you quit and maybe find something else more fulfilling for you. And as you can tell from what I mentioned earlier in this story, there are a lot of very different groups that you can volunteer for -- and feel great about being there.  

But, if you're someone who expects more than just feeling good about volunteering, then you're volunteering for all of the wrong reasons. And yes, in that case, you should "Never Again Volunteer Yourself."

That's how I see it.

Tom Correa