The last time I saw Rick Myllenbeck, he was adjusting the hair of John Chen, Sybase's chairman, who was about to make a television appearance.
I'm not sure why that image sticks with me. Maybe it was the setting. Rick, who serves as a senior public relations director for the $960 million software company, had invited me to be his guest at the Big Apple Classic, an LPGA event that Sybase sponsors in Westchester County, N.Y. It was July 20, 2001, a carefree summer day that now seems like ages ago. That Friday, I had the pleasure of attending my first professional golf tournament and, because of Rick, spending valuable time with the company's top executives talking about my passion,the solution-provider community,and theirs,developing software. At one point, I got into a lively debate with one of Sybase's sales executives about the channel. I could see Rick peering at me out of the corner of his eye. He had a funny smirk on his face that said more than words.
So I was caught off guard this week when I received this
e-mail from him. "I will be out of the office from 10/25/2001 until 10/25/2002," his note said. Now, if you scan your e-mail quickly, as I often do, you figure someone is going on vacation for a few weeks or taking a few days off. But when you read that someone is going to be away for an entire year, you take another look. The message went on to say: "Rick Myllenbeck has been recalled to active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserves for an indefinite period of time."
Until a few weeks ago, Rick was safe and secure in his position at Sybase as senior director of public relations. He's a hardworking individual who has served in top public relations positions at Apple, Novell and Creative Labs. Two years ago, he landed a spot at Sybase as it was attempting to reinvent itself and turn its fortune around. He is also the 43-year-old father of two children, Nick, 10, and Kristi, 14, and he remains close to his parents.
For the better part of two decades, Rick also has been an active member of the U.S. Naval Reserves, which he joined after four years of active duty in the Navy. Although Rick always knew there was a chance he could get called up in the event of a military engagement like Desert Storm, he was surprised by the sudden need for his services. Rick was abruptly informed he had 72 hours to report to the naval base in San Diego in uniform at 0900 hours on Wed., Oct. 31, a day many other Americans spent wearing Halloween costumes, not uniforms. As part of Operation Noble Eagle, Rick is one of a total of 5,448 reservists called to active duty since early October because of a specific skill, including law enforcement, security and intelligence. "It was like an ejection seat," he said of the experience.
Since the attack on America, many of us have felt the emotional pain of this tragedy, but we haven't yet had to make a sacrifice. Rick had to quickly pack up his apartment, prepare his children for his long absence, say goodbye to his girlfriend and face his parents. "My mom is a basket case," he told me. "My dad, well, he was a B24 bomber pilot in World War II, so he understands." Rick's mother gave him a hard time for not retiring from service after his combined reserve and active duty had reached 20 years. Rick told her he stayed because he enjoyed it and was willing to serve his country.
Sybase,which lost two employees in the World Trade Center attack,is treating Rick fairly and is looking forward to his return, but his standard of living is going to change dramatically. For one, he'll have to sustain himself on about two-thirds of his salary. "You get used to a standard," he said. "Now, how do I make sure my ex-wife and kids will be taken care of? It will be minimalism." But he's quick to add that his sacrifice pales in comparison to the ones made by those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11.
I suppose I'll never look at those weekend drillers the same way again. I'm sure Rick's story will leave many in a somber mood. As a result of the events of Sept. 11, the mood of the entire industry has changed dramatically. Find out more about that in our special report, which begins on page 57. Then share your stories and thoughts with me at he last time I saw Rick Myllenbeck, he was adjusting the hair of John Chen, Sybase's chairman, who was about to make a television appearance.
I'm not sure why that image sticks with me. Maybe it was the setting. Rick, who serves as a senior public relations director for the $960 million software company, had invited me to be his guest at the Big Apple Classic, an LPGA event that Sybase sponsors in Westchester County, N.Y. It was July 20, 2001, a carefree summer day that now seems like ages ago. That Friday, I had the pleasure of attending my first professional golf tournament and, because of Rick, spending valuable time with the company's top executives talking about my passion,the solution-provider community,and theirs,developing software. At one point, I got into a lively debate with one of Sybase's sales executives about the channel. I could see Rick peering at me out of the corner of his eye. He had a funny smirk on his face that said more than words.
So I was caught off guard this week when I received this
e-mail from him. "I will be out of the office from 10/25/2001 until 10/25/2002," his note said. Now, if you scan your e-mail quickly, as I often do, you figure someone is going on vacation for a few weeks or taking a few days off. But when you read that someone is going to be away for an entire year, you take another look. The message went on to say: "Rick Myllenbeck has been recalled to active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserves for an indefinite period of time."
Until a few weeks ago, Rick was safe and secure in his position at Sybase as senior director of public relations. He's a hardworking individual who has served in top public relations positions at Apple, Novell and Creative Labs. Two years ago, he landed a spot at Sybase as it was attempting to reinvent itself and turn its fortune around. He is also the 43-year-old father of two children, Nick, 10, and Kristi, 14, and he remains close to his parents.
For the better part of two decades, Rick also has been an active member of the U.S. Naval Reserves, which he joined after four years of active duty in the Navy. Although Rick always knew there was a chance he could get called up in the event of a military engagement like Desert Storm, he was surprised by the sudden need for his services. Rick was abruptly informed he had 72 hours to report to the naval base in San Diego in uniform at 0900 hours on Wed., Oct. 31, a day many other Americans spent wearing Halloween costumes, not uniforms. As part of Operation Noble Eagle, Rick is one of a total of 5,448 reservists called to active duty since early October because of a specific skill, including law enforcement, security and intelligence. "It was like an ejection seat," he said of the experience.
Since the attack on America, many of us have felt the emotional pain of this tragedy, but we haven't yet had to make a sacrifice. Rick had to quickly pack up his apartment, prepare his children for his long absence, say goodbye to his girlfriend and face his parents. "My mom is a basket case," he told me. "My dad, well, he was a B24 bomber pilot in World War II, so he understands." Rick's mother gave him a hard time for not retiring from service after his combined reserve and active duty had reached 20 years. Rick told her he stayed because he enjoyed it and was willing to serve his country.
Sybase,which lost two employees in the World Trade Center attack,is treating Rick fairly and is looking forward to his return, but his standard of living is going to change dramatically. For one, he'll have to sustain himself on about two-thirds of his salary. "You get used to a standard," he said. "Now, how do I make sure my ex-wife and kids will be taken care of? It will be minimalism." But he's quick to add that his sacrifice pales in comparison to the ones made by those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11.
I suppose I'll never look at those weekend drillers the same way again. I'm sure Rick's story will leave many in a somber mood. As a result of the events of Sept. 11, the mood of the entire industry has changed dramatically. Find out more about that in our special report, which begins on page 57. Then share your stories and thoughts with me at rdemarzo@cmp.com.
