Comedian Stephen Colbert gets a complimentary haircut from Gen. Ray Odierno during the opening night USO tour in Baghdad. Photo by Steve Manuel, Associated Press.

A couple days ago the comedian Stephen Colbert performed at Al Faw Palace here in Baghdad.  He came over here as part of a USO-sponsored event to entertain the troops (I was lucky enough to see part of his first show on Sunday night).  One of his jokes was about a young Soldier here in Iraq who spent his spare time taking online college classes.  Apparently the Soldier just got his degree, and Colbert got big laughs when he mentioned that the Soldier was one of the few 2009 college graduates with a job.  I guess most 2009 graduates back home are not doing as well.

Colbert’s remark was very well received by the audience, but for those of us over here in Iraq, it is reality.  Many of us follow the stock reports, government unemployment statistics and news of our struggling U.S. economy.  I know my home has lost about 30-40 percent of its value over the past two years, so having a steady paycheck puts us ahead of more than 10 percent of our U.S. population who are unemployed.  We wish the best to all those who are struggling, but we are also very glad that we are here, able to pay our bills and care for our loved ones who are holding down the homefront. 

The military is not normally seen as a path to riches (well, unless you owned shares in some of the contracting companies), but it is a steady job with great benefits.  I’ve always felt it is one of America’s best kept secrets.  For decades, service in the U.S. military has been a path for many to enter the middle class and obtain “the American Dream.”

Where else can a person get free medical coverage for himself (or herself) and all family members?  I read every day about the battle in Congress amd elsewhere for universal health coverage for Americans.  My coverage may not be perfect, but what is in bureaucracy?  And my coverage continues after retirement (when my poor body begins to fall apart). 

Before we forget what started this conversation, what about the G.I. Bill money that paid for that Soldier’s college classes?  I know I used military education benefits to help pay for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and even part of my doctoral studies.  As an Army Reserve Soldier, I know that all that education has helped keep me competitive when looking for civilian jobs over the years.

You might be looking for a place to put your money to beat inflation, but the military has me covered there, too.  The Savings Deposit Program gives me a 10% annual return on investment (on up to $10,000) for the time I am here in Iraq.  The last time I checked my savings back home, I was getting about 1%.  Oh, and if that is not good enough, all my pay here is tax-free.

Ok, so there is a downside.  There are people here who want to kill us, but last time I checked the news people back home were doing the same.   Our Soldiers are also far away from their loved ones, but they do get to converse on the phone and through email — and their families know they are working hard to secure not only freedoms for Iraqis, but the financial future of their loved ones.

I know this sounds like I am trying to convince you to join the military, but the truth is I don’t have to – the recruiting numbers are through the roof right now.  In fact, I’ve heard that our recruiting and retention bonuses might be reduced or removed if the trend continues. Young (and not so young) people across the country are seeing that being in the military is not a joke….and I am sure Colbert realizes this.