In every war, most men in the military are in support or logistic roles, or they’re just waiting, regardless of which service they are in. They maintain or operate machinery or do paperwork. I don’t know what portion of the wartime military actually experiences combat but I would guess its about one in ten.

I’m not making excuses, I knew perfectly well that in the Vietnam conflict (as opposed to WWII!) the chance the Navy would take casualties, or have to endure extreme discomfort or fear, was minimal. That’s the reason I enlisted in the Naval Reserve instead of letting myself get drafted. I wasn’t smart, just lucky.

I’ve always felt a twinge of guilt about that, but never an ounce of regret.