BA, I actually sat down with the Marine recruiter, took the officer ROTC tests, and was on their radar for almost ten years until I got too old for flight training. They would call up every three or four months and ask if I had rethought signing up.
Thing is, if my father had been younger and healthy, I probably would have. I have never been afraid of death. Cowards die many deaths, and whether it is bone spurs or asthma, or college deferments that you hide behind.....you still have to look in the mirror and see what looks back.
I remember just graduating, and a 30 year old bully at a beer party started in on me...hazing the skinny 18 year old. I finally had enough, and told him....."lets go outside, I am not going to take anymore of your crap" and looked him in the eye, and he bolted. Literally ran away. Don't ever remember running away after that....and I have a few broken bones as proof, but you can never hide from yourself.
