Richard Bach (author of not-so-great Johnathon Seagull but also author of other much better flying books) put it rather well, when describing his days in West Germany in the early 60's as an F84 jockey with the US National Air Guard.
He said that he was actually paid a salary to sit around doing nothing, as when he was working, he did not need to be paid for doing something he so enjoyed.
His book A Gift of Wings is great aviation reading, from the F84 through to biplanes.
Glad Township & Kobus have put away their handbags...