Back in a different lifetime, I was in the army

[UTUSN]

11. Wingnuts are mostly non-serving, in prior eras *paid* for substitutes

Great OP, cogent overview of the military experience - the broadening of *our* minds to those of others' "opinions, their world views and, in some cases, their bigotries." Disagree that your experience is "not important."

Besides the main topic of the Repukes' latest vote, your context with the personal sub-topics is priceless to civilian brethren who have always struggled to understand vets and mostly ended up giving up on them/us. I dare say many - MANY - were snookered by the Repukes' propaganda about their "patriotism" and how they were the champions of the military and law enforcement.

*** Sub-topic: "good employment in the South was difficult, so many men decided that their best bet was going into the service." The only other one I've ever heard express this was former Rep. Charlie RANGEL, who said the reason that Minorities were over-represented in the military and in fatalities was that they enlisted because of *economics*, lack of opportunities in education and employment, not for ideology ("fighting Commies" ). I wasn't drafted, did my enlisting while my generational peers were protesting mainly regarding the Draft (only slightly for "peace" ). And did so because of the RANGEL reason: Economics.

Excellent OP.