Quote Originally Posted by Alan H View Post
Long, long line of military service in my family, both on the maternal and paternal sides. The first big disappointment of my "almost adult" life was being rejected for NROTC and the Naval Academy on medical grounds.

RESPECT. Oh, yeah.

I might add that respect for the men and women in the armed forces does not mean that I automatically agree with the reason that politicians deploy them, eh?
I had a similar experience when I was applying to join the UK's Territorial Army (52nd Lowland Volunteers, KOSB Coy.) with a view to becoming a candidate for a commission in my mid 20's. I subsequently found out I have Marfan's syndrome, and it was always going to be a non-starter. I also come from a military family (on my father's side).

I too respect those who serve in our Armed Forces, despite any misgivings I may have over particular conflicts the politicians choose to commit them too. They cannot pick and choose, and just get on and do the best job asked of them.