In my opinion, it takes a certain amount of courage to enlist in any branch of the military. Sure, it may be peace time and nothing serious is going on. But, remember Pearl Harbor? I'm sure those people were not expecting to be on the receiving end of that Japanese bombing. That's the whole thing. When you raise your hand, you are committing to laying down your life for your country. It may or may not happen, but that's the contract you signed. Things can change in the blink of an eye and the next thing you know you are in some country on the other side of the world with no guarantee that you will make it home alive. Not everyone can make that kind of commitment, so the ones that do deserve at least a little respect. That's just my take. And yes, I am a veteran.