I am neither fat nor out of shape. I'll bet that one thing you forgot to mention about your service is that you were merely a quartermaster geek and you were put out after 10 years in the service because you never made it past the rank of E-4.
I don't think accraholic made any statements about 10 years service, but I did. So, in case that was directed toward me, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, I'll clear things up.
First, I don't care what field someone served in. Everybody serving over there is in extreme danger. The infantry soldiers are the warriors at the tip of the sword no doubt, but all service members in theater are risking a hell of a lot more than any of us here talking about them.
Personally, I did 10 years, and regret I didn't do 20, because I could have retired in 2 months had I stayed in! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I'm proud of the time I served, and I show it. I think I accomplished a lot for the Army and in doing so, our country. I was proud not only for serving, but for what I did when I served.
My primary MOS was 95b, Military Police. During that 10 years I served 2 in investigations, 2 in the 7th Infantry Division (Light), 7th MP Company, a "combat MP" assignment. Part of the U.S. Rapid deployment force (7th Div and 82nd Airborne) for that time. Trained extensively for two years in MOUT training in preparation for the Panama Invasion, which my unit was involved in 3 months after I left for Germany, and during which I lost a friend in that operation. I was on a plane headed for Panama during the first (cancelled) invasion during the coup attempt on Noriega.
Did 3 years CID (Criminal Investigation Division) DST (Drug Suppression Team) working coverty purchasing drugs, approaching 200 felony arrests during that time (almost all civilians, off base), shot at twice, returned fire once (missed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> but we still got him), victim of an armed robbery by a drug dealer once, and spent 6 months of that time working with the ATF violent Crimes Task force in the area, not to mention many local departments. Conducted many forced entry search warrants.
Personally, I have just as much respect for every quartermaster geek, cook, and truck driver over there who is doing his or her duty as well as they can, as I do the infantry guys. They're all in danger. Infantry more than others, but I'd suspect if you tallied up all the casualties over there since the beginning of the war, there are more non-infantry casualties than infantry. ADA and MP units are out on patrol in the streets the same as infantry. Truckdrivers are being ambushed.
I left the Army after 10 years at the rank of E-5. My wife was pregnant with our first, and I came down on orders for my second tour in Korea, a place I detest. I did not want to be overseas when my son was born, and miss the first 9 months of his life. As I only had 10 months left, and the tour was one year, I elected to not extend to meet the tour and got out to pursue a career in civilian law enforcement. A whole other story!
Unlike Senator Kerry, I was honorably discharged.
So, if I react a little stiffly to what I perceive as anti-americanism, hopefully you'll understand. I have a great feeling for our military, and those who are in harms way now. They are doing what they're told, regardless of how they feel about it, and are doing a fine job. For anyone to give less than the total respect and gratitude they deserve infuriates me.
While I cannot speak as a combat veteran (few who have served can) I can speak as someone who has faced and returned fire in my assignment, and who certainly dealt with extreme danger on an almost daily basis, and I know what it's like when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and what it's like to be second guessed for inordinate amounts of time after making a split second decision under intense stress.
I also speak as someone who has spent considerable time overseas, some of it in some pretty unpleasant places. I know what we have isn't perfect, but it's the best bet going.
Yes, every american has a right to voice an opinion. Me voicing mine about someone I feel is an anti-american piece of crap is exercising my rights. I don't believe my years of service give me any more "right" to voice an opinion than the next guy, but when that next guy is blowind wind out his butt about "The world is a big place, son. You should get out from in front of that TV and look around a little. That tube will rot your brain." needs to be brought in on why I have the perspective I do, and it's not because I'm getting fat and lazy laying on my couch watching CBS and waiting for Dan Blather's next lie tearing our country down.
Kind of long winded, but, that's the second time on this board I've seen someone question
what someone did in the military, implying it was somehow less important and not has honorable as the guy with the M-16 going door to door, and less worthwhile. Doesn't make sense to me.
