This is a tough one to reply to, and I probably won't do the topic justice..

You cannot possibly describe the absolute terror involved with being a tunnel rat with any conviction, but the result is very much like an addiction to terror. After a while -- provided the rat manages to survive his time as an underground forager -- the fear is eventually replaced with the sure knowledge that he is now immortal. These are the frightening ones, Steve. They need the terror, but after a war of this caliber, where will he find it? You can get the terror from others by becoming a murderer -- probably even a highly priced hit man -- but where's the terror?

Many will eventually commit suicide, some even in front of acquaintances and family members while he proves his immortality to them. these are the headlines from the 60s and 70s that are forgotten.

It's a sickness, Steve, not courage -- but as long as we need them, we'll keep them sick.

Dan