information that is very easily obtainable now wasn't so easy to find 25+ years ago. i almost certainly would never have joined had I the same info then as I have now. well, i might've become a coastie.

having said that, soldiers who are legit fighting for their own freedom, their family's security, and for their culture/nation to be left alone or unharassed, have my respect. oddly, this kinda' means, as long as they keep their shit in their own country, i'm sorta OK with the Taliban (...aaaaaand now i'm on another list).