Josh: I'm not worried about troop count. The job I have guarantees that I'll be spending my days on a ship. That means I won't see combat (unless there is some naval/aerial combat over the sea...which I REALLY doubt in this war), even if I go "overseas". That is, of course, unless this stuff with North Korea heats up. Then I'll be on the proverbial frontlines.

Kay: Fair enough. Like I said, I know some real assholes who came out of the military. Ever since joining and getting more information, I've realized where my dad gets a lot of his habits and attitudes, and I've sworn that no matter what kind of person I might be when my CO is watching, I wouldn't take that home with me. I refuse to be like my dad, and I try really hard not to be even now. I'm not gonna let this change me. I just want to move on with life and have fun and see the world. Or at least a couple other countries. And that's what I'm gonna do for 6 years. And then when I get back, hopefully I can go to college and get a job doing what I really love and not just something I was trained to do.