CriticalThoughts

This is a very refreshing AMA for the honesty and candor. I find that many people have a sort of hero worship, while many soldiers tend to just say thanks and lap it up. In the early days of the Iraq war, I recall many Americans accusing other Americans of not "supporting the troops" because they were critical of the war. That has largely passed, but the mythos of "every soldier is a hero" remains.

Unfortunately that is one of the major barriers to having a realistic view of war is a realistic view of the job, which only people who have served can give. You're doing a very big thing by acknowledging that it is not heroic nor special.

Alcohol is associated with more violent crime than any illegal drug; approximately 40% of all violent crimes are associated with alcohol. source.