<p>* Like others, I also think serving in the military is a noble thing. I am concerned, though, that the OP sees it as an antidote to the problems described above. Perhaps others will have a different take, but I would think being in the military would require aggressiveness and boldness. *</p>
<p>Those thoughts of Marite's flashed through my mind too. But then I thought of my own brother, who grew up and matured and developed a lot of confidence during his years of military service. (He entered the Army several decades ago, right after the USSR invaded Afghanistan. He stayed in for 20 years.) </p>
<p>I remember our family worrying a lot about him when he went in. He wound up in the 82nd Airborne, traveling all around the world, learning Italian so well during his tour of duty in Italy that he was mistaken for a native, and even "winning the Nobel Peace Prize," according to my mom. (He served in the UN Peacekeeping Forces in the Sinai Peninsula, and those forces were indeed awarded a Nobel Prize in 1998. So my mom likes to call him, "My son, the Nobel peace laureate.")</p>
<p>The Army gave him a lot of transferrable "people skills" that have served him well in his subsequent civilian life. He's a great husband and father who has worked as a human resources manager and as a high school teacher since he retired from the service. He's also finished his college degree. He'd like to be a park ranger some day--I think he'd be great at that and hope he gets the chance. (He's still in his early 40s.)</p>
<p>* Academia allows people to think and re-think. But military action requires quick reflexes. Am I wrong? * </p>
<p>You're right that military action often doesn't give much time for extended contemplation. Quick judgment is sometimes necessary. But I think the armed forces would be better off if we had more thinkers in them. There are times when thinking and rethinking are indeed called for and instantaneous blind obedience to orders is not appropriate. Abu Ghirab comes to mind.</p>
<p>I'm glad my brother is home safe now and that he's not in Iraq.</p>
<p>But I also think that, as long as we need an army, it's a good thing for it to include thoughtful caring young people who value education as well as the opportunity to serve their country, and not just members of an underclass who have no good alternatives.</p>