by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
When the musical chairs that is their life stops, Majors Jim and Karol Seiler hope the last note is played in Jacksonville.
The Seilers have been in charge of the local Salvation Army for the past three years, but are being transferred to Atlanta, where they will stay for — who knows? Such is the nature of their chosen career, a path that has taken them all over the Southeast United States and parts of the Midwest.
“It’s a series of short assignments,” said Karol, who coordinates the local women’s ministry and will hold a similar position in Atlanta.
“The last few stops have been quicker than some of the others,” said Jim, who is the area commander in Jacksonville and will assume a similar role in Atlanta, but he will also be the general secretary for the state of Georgia. He added the two were previously in Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Dallas. “The average stay is three to five years.”
Both Seilers explained that the transient nature of their jobs has everything to do with the constantly changing leadership of the Salvation Army. Through mostly retirements, jobs open up regularly all over the country, although the Salvation Army does try to keep people in the same region for most of their careers.
“In Atlanta, we are taking the place of someone who is taking the place of someone who is retiring,” said Jim.
“The retirements have a domino effect,” said Karol.
The Seilers found out in early May they were being reassigned to Atlanta. Jim said the announcement came as a shock. The two are firmly entrenched in the local community and felt as though real progress was being made.
“Three years ago things were tough here financially. It’s better now, but it’s not 100 percent solid yet. That is a testament to our board and our women’s auxiliary,” said Jim, explaining that he immediately did two things when he took over — laid off some people and hired a public relations expert. “It turned out to be one of the smartest things we’ve done. We have put forth the name of the Army in the public relations arena. We are now in a solid financial situation.”
Both Jim and Karol said it will be tough to leave their staff of more than 100 and Jacksonville, a place they have truly grown to appreciate.
“It’s definitely on the list,” said Jim of Jacksonville as a possible retirement destination — in 2024. “It’s a nice meld of everything. We have fallen in love with Jacksonville and that’s what makes it harder to leave.”
“Nowhere else that we have ever lived has so much to offer,” added Karol.
If there is an upside it’s this — the move will be relatively easy. Aside from personal items, the Seilers won’t take much with them to Atlanta and they won’t need the services of a realtor.
“The Salvation Army owns our home and our cars and most of the basic furniture,” explained Jim. ”There is no need to sell our home and we can move on short notice. Things will be similar in Atlanta.”
Majors Jim and Linda Arrowood — another married Salvation Army couple — are being assigned to Jacksonville to replace the Seilers and will be here soon from Baltimore.
“Part of the deal is that both the husband and wife are involved in the Salvation Army,” said Jim.
“You don’t have one without the other,” said Karol.
When the Arrowoods arrive, the Seilers will likely be gone. In fact, there’s a remote chance they could pass each other on I-95 depending on the route the Seilers take to Atlanta. The Seilers will leave behind little more than a staff and a brief — a standard form that contains information about the office and staff.
“It’s kind of like musical chairs,” said Jim. “We all get up and move at the same time. When the music stops, that’s where you stay.”