[irish]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I was unaware of your military experience and agree that it provides you with a different insight. Because the military is, in part, a bureaucratic nightmare, I am also aware that many leave the services feeling frustrated, angry and bitter. The feelings and experiences of individuals like yourself, however, does not nullify or discredit the real sacrifices made by those who chose to remain in the service.

As someone who has not served, I have the utmost respect for those who have done so. My father was career military and served in two wars (Korea and Vietnam) both as an enlisted man (Korea) and officer (Vietnam). He, like many young men, initially joined as a way out of their particular circumstances but remained out of a sense of duty and self-sacrifice. During his time in Vietnam, I still remember waking up and regularly wondering if my father was alive (I was 5-6). I remember my friend when he found out his father would not be coming home. During my youth, most of my friends were military brats whose parents were lifers. All of these adults, without exception – both enlisted and commissioned, demonstrated a sense of self sacrifice and duty to others that made a deep impression on me.

To me, your initial comment seemed insulting to these people and to their choices. On its face, it still seems that way to me. You paint your disrespect with a broad brush and it appeared to cover many people for whom I have a deep and abiding respect.

My army buddies & I used to laugh at guys like you, the kind that were so gung ho and into the military but yet couldnt find the time or balls to serve. Maybe next time you should think before you paint with a broad brush. I did not totally hate my time in the army mostly because it showed me where I did not want to be and how I did not want to end up. I used to recommend the military to anyone unsure of what to do with their life but now with the way the military does not honor its end of the contract by changing the rules as they go without regard for the personal lives that have chosen to serve I no longer recommend it as an option because once you are in you cant get out.