Fine statistics Tom with the caveat that the source is from the military who have a vested interest to make themselves look good for the purposes of recruiting. That doesn't mean the figures are inaccurate, only that one has to take into account any study done by an organization that has something to gain by slanting the results. I'd prefer the study came from an independent firm but they'd still be stuck by what the military gave them.

What it failed to address was the economic and racial spread among the most dangerous jobs in the military. There's a huge difference in projected lifespan between a guy rebuilding radar on a jet on an aircraft carrier and a guy busting down doors in downtown Fallujah. Generally the more education and the better you do on the military entrance exams, the more likely you'll have a non-combative support position away from the bombs and snipers.

Why don't you ask the Heritage Foundation for a study like that? I think we both know the answer you'd get back.

Art