McGee: Corrections officers deserve salute

One of our area jails has a new guy in charge. That can’t be an easy job. I mean, on one hand you’re basically working for a committee, and on the other, you’re sitting on top of what is, for all intents and purposes, a pressure cooker.

I had a brief career as a corrections officer. Well OK, it wasn’t a career, it was a job interview.

Long ago and far away, I was looking for a job near my hometown. I discovered the state was looking for someone to be a corrections lieutenant at a prison near the old home place.

“Well, there you go,” I told a pal. “That’s the job for me, basically middle management, right?”

I was given a sideways glance. “Do you have corrections experience?” he asked.

“No, but what is a lieutenant but middle management, right?”

The answer was another sideways glance.

In a matter of days, I was off to the friendly, neighborhood prison for my job interview. There I sat in my coat and tie surrounded by dudes with badges and uniforms.

“I’m looking over your resume,’” said the head guy. “You’re a disc jockey.”

“I’ve managed a radio station, sold advertising in bowling alleys too. And I was an insurance agent for six months,” I said, tapping his copy of my resume.

“Oh yes, that,” he said looking over his glasses. “But you have no corrections experience.”

“No sir. But I’ve had management experience. I mean, what is a lieutenant anyway but middle management, right?” I leaned back in my chair and gave a toothy grin.

I was given a sideways glance.

Needless to say, “corrections facility lieutenant” is not on my list of “Great Jobs I Have Had.”

But I do know to give a tip of the hat and a salute to those who are in that line of work.

Grant McGee is a longtime broadcaster and former truck driver who rides bicycles and likes to talk about his many adventures on the road of life.

Contact him at: bikedude@plateautel.net