[A Navy Vet]

"I knew many guys who enlisted in the Navy and the Air Force inorder to avoid being drafted."

An interesting modern side point to Naval service is that with todays high-tech weapons, a Naval vessel is a sitting duck, unlike ground-pounders who can hide, dig foxholes, or retreat to regroup. If there is ever another major naval engagement, it will be a catastrophe. All hands, whether 300 personnel on a destroyer, or the thousands on a carrier will go down. There is nowhere to escape.

Although I admit it is a highly unlikely scenerio, that's how it would pan out. Ever seen the movie, "Sum of All Fears", and the strike against one of our carriers? The boys and girls in the Navy are not as "secure" as you may think.

And on a personal side note...I remember clearly playing chase with Soviet subs during the Cold War era. Point being, ALL military personnel are at risk, unless stateside or at an obvious low risk area oversees.

They are all heros in their my mind. Give them a break.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Used to be "Wooden Ships and iron Men."

At the turn of the century, before the Brit's taught how to shoot and fight the new long-range guns, became "Iron Ships and Wooden Men."

Now, one weapon, one hit will dismember a destroyer-sized ship - even if that weapon didn't explode!

In 150 different accidents, incidents, explosions, and impacts since WWII, EVERY destroyer-sized ship - after being hit by just ONE weapon - has been lost immediately her weapons system, her propulsion, or her communications. Or all three.

And, without the ability to fight, flee, or fire, that ship is gone in a real war.