I knew many guys who enlisted in the Navy and the Air Force inorder to avoid being drafted. They entered active duty knowing the chances of getting shot at were pretty slim as a sailor or an airman.
We can debate whether or not Bush sought the Guard to avoid the draft. He probably did. Kerry enlisted in the Navy to avoid the draft. There is documentation all over to the Kerry point. Thank you for your service!
MoodyBlu
USAF (1973-77)
Yup, it's true. However, they went thru basic training and sacrificed much for their country. I give them credit for not running to Canada, burning their draft cards, and not being assured they wouldn't see combat. Best to them.
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.