[fintstone]

I spent 26 years in the military....I always figured under the volunteer system...the first 4 years was my patriotic duty. After that, even though still patriotic... I had a family to feed. I needed reasonable pay and benefits to stay. Unlike Tilman, I left a low paying, dead-end job to join the service. I honestly don't know if I could have left the big bucks behind like he did. I doubt it.

The other GIs are heros in my book too. Contrast them to the guys who draw that military, guard, or reserve salary and then cry like babies when asked to go to a real shooting war and do what they were trained for. You would be surprised how smart and talented many are. Service is not necessarily a poor career choice..although a fairly low paying one.

By the way, we have had guys doing dangerous jobs, getting shot at, and even killed throughout the cold war....keeping this country safe and free. They just were not allowed to talk about their exploits or get medals....their work will always be unknown and unappreciated.