A man of the Guards

When I was in the Minnesota Guard, we had a fellow in the unit called Jake. His name tag read Jacobson, and at one point I was told his name was Jacob Jacobson VI. Might have been, I never asked. He was a joker like me, and I'd have never been sure if his answer was serious.
I didn't see Jake at drills much. A lot of folks in the guard do alternate drills, they put in as much or more time, just not on the week ends.
Jake had a special skill, he was a ski instructor. At that time Camp Ripley was the winter warfare training site for most of the Army as well as Air Force and Marine units. Jake worked at Ripley during the winter. He loved his work, and he loved his country.
The one winter camp I attended was held in March. By that point Jake had been at Ripley for four months. I learned that the Guard only paid soldiers on special duty for one month. That meant Jake gave the nation twelve weeks of his time gratis. It was all volunteer.
When we arrived at camp, there was a Battalion of Marines on base. They had come up from The San Diego Zoo to learn winter warfare and were in their second week. I heard about Jake's antics from one of their men.
Seems that the commander of that Marine unit wanted to show the week end warriors how tough Marines were. Seriously? Don't bother, Most Guard units have a Jar Head or three in the ranks. Sailors as well since there are dang few destroyers on the Mississippi. Any way, this commander, had the mentality of Maj Malcom Powers. He ordered his men to dress as if they were still on  Camp Pendelton. Running around subzero Minnesota in February, in shirt sleeves is stupid, doing it with them rolled up is criminal, but that is what he demanded of his Marines. Jake, and his boss tried talking to the CO to no avail. He was as hard headed as a man can be.
After two days of this, Jake had enough. he and his fellow instructors fell out for morning PT in their skivies. PT at Ripley is done on skies just so you know. Jumping jacks, push ups, the whole nine yards on cross country skies with Bunny boots, a white version of the Mickey Mouse boot.
OK, I know you could do that, even if it is -10 degrees, doing PT means working up a sweat, so no one is going to freeze to death or even get seriously cold.
Jake and friends didn't draw the line there though. As soon as they got back, They went diving into the fresh fallen snow and began doing the crazy Minnesota routine, snow angels, and a hearty snow ball fight.
Afterward, according to Jake, the grizzled Sergeant Major came up and thanked them. The Commander realized he was not going to impress any one from Minnesota that day.
Jake taught combat ski tactics for another month that year. In all he put in over five months, four with out pay to teach soldiers of the cold war era how to fight and survive in the worst of winter weather.
When you see guys in uniform on a Saturday at the local diner, think about men like Jake. Those men and women are giving up two days with family and friends to serve you and this country. When disaster strikes, the guard is there to help. Too often the emergency services are already stretched thin, and something like a tornado would snap them with out men like Jake. They don't do it for money, it is love of country.