I joined for several reasons but it was really just to get out of small town PA.  Then I realized how rewarding it was to serve my country so I stayed for 20 years.  I loved every part of it!  I would go back in to service today if they needed me.  I wasn't a trigger puller or front line fighter but I contributed to several campaigns behind the lines by keeping aircraft flying.  Nothing glorious and you'll never see a movie about what I did but it was still a fulfilling career.  What most of us do after we retire is start a second career to serve in another way.  SO we don't feed off of government programs like most people think.  We do for ourselves like everyone else.  To all my fellow service members thank you for your service.  You all deserve to be thanked!!