Was Rangel drafted into the service? Maybe he's bitter at the experience.
Actually I'm sure I've heard Rangel say many times in the past that he was "proud" of his military service (and that he was a volunteer).
Of course now we know that those claims of pride must have been lies, since Rangel now admits he chose the military because he had no better opportunities and no "decent" career option.
According to NNDB, Rangel served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1948 to 1952, not exactly great years for racial equality, which may have influenced his view. Supposedly, he rescued forty comrades from behind enemy lines, earning the Bronze Star, and also received a Purple Heart.