[SIZE="1"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]To me, military service is a necessity for one to understand the civil liberties many take for granted. By becoming part of the military, not only do you fight for the rights civilians hold dear, but you feel to bring these rights to others. A year before I graduated High School, I joined the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program and loved every second of it. Couldn't wait until July for me to ship out. Spent the week before going to MCRD Parris Island in Cambridge, MA while my gf at the time was at Harvard. Recruit training was great. There's pretty much nothing that sounds better than winning final drill at the end of your tenure. The way the boots hit the pavement. The way that the rifles hit your arm, echoing in a distance as you show everyone else you're the best of the best. I have countless friends that joined with me in my graduating class and most enjoy their involvment in the situations of today. Friends in Afganistan and promoting stability and liberty, especially in the hot south. Friends in Iraq that have seen a very different shift from the frequent attacks years ago and seeing people on the streets and playing soccer with them in the street. I may have had qualms with our entrance ot Iraq, but I feel as though the battles in both Afghanistan and Iraq are just. Things cannot be corrected overnight. Hopefully NATO will see through Russia's facade and bring Ukraine and Georgia into their circle. To me, it's about honor and duty. Now that my knee is rehabilitated, I can't wait to return to military service. Semper Fi![/COLOR][/SIZE]