Some have speculated as to why I took offense to the post and whether or not I serve in the National Guard.
The answer is quite simply, no. I do not serve in the military, nor have I ever. I do have several friends both from college and elsewhere who are members of the National Guard and have done NUMEROUS tours of duty in Iraq. But I think it is probably the fact that I’ve never served that may actually be why I was so uptight about it. Because it doesn’t matter WHY someone joins ANY branch of the military. They are making a greater sacrifice, and having to make decisions that I could never imagine having to make. Joining the National Guard requires more testicular fortitude than I’ve ever had to demonstrate, and I respect the hell out of that. I was lucky enough to have parents who could share the financial burden and student loan debt to send me to college. Because I’ve never had to think about alternative options to continue my education or support my family. Because I feel like if someone makes that commitment, they SHOULD be proud, whether or not you feel that they should be. Because it is still courageous, it is still honorable, and if they want a little extra swagger and show off their accomplishment, then I say go for it.
That’s why I, and probably so many others, got so uptight. And if I have to suck a fuck for defending those who serve my country, well then I guess I’ll be able to live with that.