I was in a long time ago, and for a relatively short time, so please don't mistake me for an expert. But I hated it. I was very fortunate, made rank fast, had interesting duty, loved my work, and in every other way made a success of it, but I still didn't want to be there. I also missed the major and defining aspect of military life: I didn't get shot at, and I never shot at anyone. But it should be kept in mind that most GIs never do either, even in wartime. Most military men operate and maintain machines or do paperwork, unless they're in specific MOSs and in circumstances that make them a combatant.

What I saw most in the lifers was the loneliness. These men were never alone, they were always surrounded by others, but they couldn't fraternize with most because of the restrictions of rank and the temporary nature of most duty assignments. They had trouble getting a family, or keeping one together. It was difficult for them to develop as human beings because they were in the same environment as adults that they were in as teenagers. It's like a high school that never ends. The officers seemed to have more opportunities for a normal life, but the senior enlisted types had it pretty hard. They deserve their retirement at forty and a second career they can double-dip. They earn every penny of it.

My duty was good, I had fascinating work and I was on a smart ship. I was a sailor and proud of it. We went neat places and did cool things, but I knew I wasn't going to be in for long. If it had ever come to combat, I have no doubt I would have done my job as best I could, it came with the program and I understood that. But it was never an emotional or philosophical or patriotic thing for me. I shipped aboard and accepted their salt. I would do my duty, no more, no less. But if after I had come back, if I had to spend a year at some recruiting station in Kansas, or working in some god-forsaken depot overseas, there's no telling how I could have handled that.

With the exception of getting a college education, my hitch in the Navy was the most profound experience of my life. I never wanted my college years to end, but I couldn't wait for my enlistment to be over.