I think some navy men and women are amazing. I honor them because they are just great people, just the way I honor so many of you. BUT I do not need to worship the ground every navy man and woman walks on. I don't need to worship the ground most of them walk on. Why? because most navy people are not selfless souls who decided to risk their lives for their country. Yes, some of them are, probably a good chunk of them, but in all most joined for reasons that were not selfless.

1) The country boy/girl looking to see the world: A large chunk of the military men I met fall under this category, it's probably the one that has the most number of people in it. These men and women grew up in a small town, or maybe even a big city, but either way, they haven't seen much of the world. So one day a recruiter showed up at their school, or home or gave them a call, and promised them they would see the world. It took some convincing, but the CB/GLTSW decided this sounded like a pretty good deal. They were told of all these amazing places they'd get to see, all the choices they'd have for ports exc.. Then they found themselves in Norfolk, Va. Not a bad place, but it isn't the world. They got to see some amazing ports, but the work was hard, and most of these men and women regret joining. Most, will not reenlist. So why then when I meet one in a bar does he act like he's the shit? You're just someone who picked a job they thought would be fun and you hate it so stop pretending like I owe you something.

2) No other options: This person either didn't do well in school, never got anything but a GED, or just couldn't afford college. They didn't want to work in fast food their whole life so they picked the military where they would be able to make a decent living though they were probably disappointed at how little military men really make. I'm not saying this is a bad reason to join, many of these people are great people, but a good chunk of these guys never grew up. They were fuck ups in high school and they are still fuck ups now. They sleep around, slack off at their job, and then expect special treatment from random strangers.

3) This will make me cool: Most of these people grew up in a place where not many kids joined the military. Maybe they heard a story about how Tommy Jones' big brother joined the military and all the kids thought it was so cool. Maybe they did want to help their country, but the thing that irks me about these people is how entitled they act. While the others are more subtle about it, the TWMMC will actually go out of their way to bring up what they do for a living. I knew a guy who wore his dress whites or blues everywhere he could get away with it at. Graduations, weddings, any place where it wasn't about him at all, he wore his uniform and tried to grab attention telling strangers about how awesome he is. This worked out better for him in his home town since every fucking person in this city is in the military. When people here didn't seem to care, he would complain and consider them rude. You don't see noble peace prize winners walking around with their trophy or whatever the fuck they get all the time just so they can strike up conversations with strangers about it.

4) It runs in the family: My grandfather was in the military, so of course my father joined. He got out asap, and never looked back. Meanwhile I have two cousins in the military, and one married to a military man. If my grandfather had his way we'd all be married to or in the military. Maybe it's not a bad reason to join, but if every person in your family does it, it can't be all that special.

As you can tell three is probably my least favorite category. There is one reason to join that I find very honorable, those who want to support their family. The military is a great way to support your family, and that's a great reason to join. I'm not saying the other reasons are bad, but I don't think that they make you a special person. The truth is most military men will never see a war. They will never really have to risk their life for our freedom. Those who do risk their lives do so selflessly. I was once in a bar with a #3. He was telling everyone with in ear shot about his time in Iraq. I have known several people in Iraq who's time was spent playing X box. I can't say it was true for this guy, but he didn't have one story to tell about it, just went on about how he was there. Someone went up to the mic and dedicated a song to this man they had just met and thanked him for serving. I glanced across the table at my friend who still bears a scar from his time in Iraq and just smiled. He didn't need recognition for what he had done. He sat by quietly as the braggy man told him about his time in Iraq and drank free beers. Shaun didn't need to say anything, it wasn't a competition, and if it was he would have won. It's military men like him who I think are amazing, and they are few and far between.

disclaimer: In no way do I believe that every military person fits into a category, and in no way do I think that every person who does fit into one is exactly the same.