I suspect you have something to prove. There is remorse, insecurity, a
lack of confidence,
in your excuses for why you avoided an experience that most men of your
time share.

Is that the issue? In your advancing years are you feeling regret for not
being a vet.

Not related to anything, but ........

I graduated in 1966, and was drafted right after that. I made two trips to
be inducted, but because of knee surgery, and borderline diabetes, was
finally rejected. Half happy, and half rejected, as spring, 1967 was not a
good time to be a grunt.

Then, in 1974, I went to commercial diver's school. My mentor and driving
force was an ex-Seal (a real bona fide one) for 16 weeks. He made me learn
that no matter what, there was something left when I thought I had exerted
myself to empty. I shall never forget Bob Mackey, that Seal. I did not
have the true military experience, but did get to learn at the hands of a
master. I always equated that to boot camp, and the following six years of
hard work as a commercial diver as a test of mettle, seeing blood and gore
and bones sticking out and even death.

We all did what we did in life. If one is proud of what they did, there is
no need to boast. The experience was enough. And if one is unhappy with
what they did or who they were, it's their own weight to bear.

Steve