....re: the cost.....my wife has a relative who served two tours in the ‘Nam as a combat Marine...still wakes up in the middle of the night with nightmares; has to take medications every day to help prevent night sweats, nightmares, etc...he never ever talks about his service there...just too many very bad memories....those were the costs to him as he volunteered to join the Corps...
Combat Marines are/were the toughest. Up there with SEALs, Delta, and such. Incredibly strong mentally and physically.
And it broke him? Sigh. Can’t imagine the nightmare experiences that involved.
Prayers for him.