Shooter, may God keep them safe. 

And, I thank them for their service.   

I kinda got carried away, there, Darth, but I thank you. The boys,  ( actually Matthew is 23, been married and divorced, and definitely needs some direction in his life ) didn't ask what I thought, or I probably would have told Reagan, especially, to think twice, but he is young, full of piss and vinegar and youngsters don't think the bad stuff can happen to them.

I was the same. An 18 year old know-it-all.

I did 4 years in the Navy, and think it did me a lot of good. I can't speak for today's military, but for kids like Reagan, (and myself), it can be a great experience.

My wife's brother was a tanker in the Army and served in Desert Storm. He enjoyed his time in there. The only thing I would have a hard time with, is serving under our current commander in chief.

Five months short of 30 years in the Air Force. Nam and Desert Strom Vet plus other remote tours.  Loved it.  Wish I could do it again.  Did not plan on staying that long but as each assignment came up I wanted to go and much to soon it was over.

Thanks for your service, I too may have become a lifer had I not been injured.
Though Nixon had left us under Carters command and morale was falling like a rock.

Survived the Carter era and then the Gipper showed up.  World of difference plus no notice drug testing took care of most of the drug problems that plaqued the post Nam era.

When Carter cut our fuel supplies in a Korean Winter on the DMZ to four hours of heat, theft, fights and black mkt began to develop.
That is not how the Military works, in fact it goes against the cohesive nature of Military service.
Until Husein, Carter was the worst CIC in history.

You've got some good kids there Shooter....

Thanks, Bert. ( Boo to those that don't know Bert )

BTW, whatever the hell is a crumpet?

Griddle cake made from flour and yeast.   

Thanks, Walks. The reason I asked was because one of my daughter's  FIL,  always sends nice mail order gifts from some bakery for Christmas, and ours this year had crumpets, among other things, in the package. Truthfully, I am tickled it is a delicacy enjoyed by The Queen's Subjects, and not by me. Even buttered and swimming in sugar cane syrup, it still was like chewing on cardboard or maybe rubber.

   Don't tell Boo that. 

Mum is the word.