Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Restatement not required.
If you have successfully avoided answering the questions until now - why should change? It isn't like you have forgotten them.
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR,
Sometimes I think you guys are posting rhetorical questions. I honestly don't recall so I am going to take a swing at what I think it is that you are getting at.
Most of my previous generations on my fathers side were career military men. My grandfather, his two brothers and one brother in law all went to the Annapolis Naval Academy and served with distinction in WWII. I have a pile of graduation swords, uniforms and naval relics from there collective 100 years of service. My great grand father was in the military and great great grand father died in the civil war.
To be different my father went to the Air Force much to the disappointment of the rest of the family. I believe that I have a good amount of exposure to what being in the military means. I get the honor and draw of service. In return the military took good care of them all. They all received good retirements and benefits till the end when they received either a burial at sea or color guard at their funeral.
A consequence of their service was that they all married late in life. Many decades at sea resulted in missed opportunities for a personal life. My grandfather was injured in the war and had to spend some time in a Navy hospital. He was able to marry at 40 and had two kids. The rest were all childless in large part due to their time away. In addition a few of them avoided buying a house until they were retired and had to pay a mortgage into their 70's.
So what is my take on the sacrifices of service? It is one thing to volunteer yourself to saving your town from the British and yet another to become a career volunteer soldier. The first is an obligation to protect those immediately around you and the other a career choice. As a career choice I think it is one that imposes a great deal on family life. I would not make that choice as a family man, but can not argue that the compensation and benefits are stellar.
A completely different situation from the airlines where you are asked to be away much of the time for a miserable return.
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I have more to follow, but have to leave for an appointment.
Skyhigh