Residents of New York City often get so caught up in our town’s glittery chaos that we forget there are apices of excitement in other places… like Idaho.
In Idaho there lives a man named Jeff Hughes. Jeff is a smokejumper, which aside from being the only job title to rival “ninja,” requires that he routinely jump out of airplanes. Into fire.
The last daredevil-hero of any note was Vin Diesel in xXx, but unlike Vin, Jeff doesn’t have CGI or Asia Argento by his side. He’s got a chainsaw, a heroic will, and nerves like a safecracker. Read more below about the newest member of our Band of Brothers!
I am one of eighty Boise smokejumpers and my job is to parachute into steep and rugged terrain to suppress wildfires. We jump fires from spruce stands in Alaska to high desert in Nevada to heavy timber in California. A typical load of smokejumpers consists of eight firefighters and enough gear and food to support firefighting operations for three days. We either fight fire with Pulaskis and chainsaws or can transition to overhead teams to manage complex wildfires.
Once on the ground, smokejumpers dig a line around the fire, denying fuel to the flames. Some fires last a day and some fires last twenty, in which case you’ll find us working, sleeping, and eating in the dirt. Once the fire is out, we pack up our gear: chainsaws, parachutes, firepacks, jumpsuits, etc., for the demobilization. Occasionally we get picked up by helicopter but sometimes have to pack that 120 pounds of gear out to the nearest road, which can be two or ten miles away.
It’s the best job in the world.
Thanks,
Jeff Hughes
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Comments (4)
I’ve been a Bonobos fan from the get-go. As a teacher and coach, it has been a mission to find pants that can withstand the day-to-day classroom and behind-the-bench use and abuse. A nice fit and timely appearance are a huge plus. Most previous pants have come and gone but the BWBs are on point. My wife didn’t recognize my gluteus maximus. With attention to style I hadn’t known, Bonobos has helped shape the new look of high school teachers in Saline, Michigan. Nothing starts a conversation better than the patterned pockets.
Bonobos’ business philosophy is brilliant in its simplicity—quality cut and sewn pants, sharp customer service, and word of mouth. Doing what we Band of Brothers do, giving back is inherent. It is nice to see Bonobos do the same. To whom much is given, much is expected.
The pant revolution has hit my closet. I’ll be doing my part to see that it hits more.
Thanks,
DD
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Dear Bonobos,
I am happily employed as a high school language arts teacher in rural southern Ohio. I love where I live, and I am very pleased to be teaching at my alma mater. My main goal as a teacher has never been to make money. I work each day to try to provide the students of this small farming community with more opportunities than I had at their age, whether that be through the literature we read in class or the elective classes I teach. I am proud to be a teacher. I am always disappointed when people who don’t know that I teach ask me to tell them my occupation. When they hear that I spend the majority of my day with sophomores trying to encourage them to read and write, I usually get asked if I’m crazy or a glutton for punishment.
I work each day to try to provide the students of this small farming community with more opportunities than I had at their age, whether that be through the literature we read in class or the elective classes I teach.
Imagine my delight when I opened up my RSS reader today. Ever since I discovered your company, I have been drawn to your product and your business philosophy. I began following your blog months ago and have enjoyed reading the many testimonials from satisfied customers. I was very excited as I read the post about John Johnson of Nevada, and the Band of Brothers program for customers who dedicate their lives to public service.
I view education as my calling. I recognize that the education profession is not for everyone. It is nice to know there are people beyond the communities we serve who appreciate what we do.
Thank you,
Justin Drummond
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I received a pair of Graham Slackers as a gift from a friend—he turned me onto your website and I saw the page about the Band of Brothers. I’m a 3rd grade teacher, and I’m getting married in 
June! I met my fiance during my first year of teaching and I have attached a photo of the two of us.
When working with children all day, I have to have that casual feel to my clothes and your pants are perfect for that.
I really like to dress nice at work and I incorporated those Bonobos into my work attire. I found that they work great for the professional look but also have the casual feel. When working with children all day, I have to have that casual feel to my clothes and your pants are perfect for that. The governor of this fine state has put into motion a 6% pay decrease for all state employees, including teachers. Loving your pants as much as I do, I am now worried that with the wedding and the pay decrease, I won’t be able to purchase more than a pair or two. Even though my students are only third-graders, I take a lot of pride in introducing them to nice clothes. I teach in a very poverty-stricken neighborhood and relating to these students on any kind of personal level is an extremely important part of my job. I feel like it is never too early to learn about girls, air guitar, and fashion. My students and I love your pants!
Patrick Higgins
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My name is Steve Kintop, and I am a Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Air Force, and I have been serving on active duty for the past 11 years. I’m stationed right on the Gulf of Mexico, between Pensacola and Panama City. While there are certainly some neat parts of this job (travel abroad, camaraderie, and education to name a few), there is one aspect with which I am sure you can sympathize: the uniforms. You see, every day I must report for duty in ill-fitting clothes made by the lowest bidder, with only a handful of sizes to fit as many different body types as possible (while keeping costs low). The one uniform we DO have that is somewhat custom fitted (the Service Dress, also known as simply “Blues”) is made of polyester and is neither comfortable nor flattering. Complicating matters even further, I’m a pretty big guy: 6′4″, about 245 lbs. I find myself at the very edge of “off-the-rack.” I also have an… um, ample backside, which often requires me to buy pants that are too large in the waist in order to have enough room in the seat. I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when I discovered your company.
In closing, please consider my request for inclusion in your “Band of Brothers” program. While I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase your product at full price, a discount would sweeten an already good deal.
Best regards,
Steve
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