An interesting thread with as usual some salient points from all sides.

Without wishing to deviate off topic I would like to comment directly to SK that to me at least you have seem to have a very, shall I say, 'Gung Ho' attitude.

While I suspect that in the environment that you currently find yourself i.e. the American military that attitude might be accepted as the norm amongst your peers and even be desirable from a career viewpoint, I suspect that when you enter civilain life you may find that such a standpoint is not accepted quite so unquestioningly.

OK that is all - back to the topic.