[Moneyguy1]

Israel has everyone serve in some capacity. Given the way the world is heading, that may be the way we go. I served, most of my friends served and most of us learned a heck of a lot of what it means to be an American and a responsible person. I lost some friends serving as well.

I think everyone should donate two years to the country. If not in the military, in some civilian job that needs to be done. Maybe some of the chickenhawks from one side and the whiners from the other might just learn a bit about the real world.

The Coast Guard? Look up the statistics in WWII percentage wise re: Coast Guard deaths. I trained to pilot landing craft. I used to kid the Marines that they only had to go one way...I would get shot at both coming and going. Today ain't any different. Like to go after drug runners for a few weeks? Think they play nice and just stop when asked? Who goes out in all kinds of nasty conditions to rescue people dumb enough to go sailing in #7 seas...Consider what they look like after floating dead for a week and you have to somehow get them ashore....

Engineers and medical corps are out therein the front along with the field soldier. Ain't any safer there either...

Given all that, I would not trade the time I spent in Uncle Sam's Yacht Club.