[Plutarch]

The idea that you'd volunteer for [Swift boat duty] because you're thinking about a political career. ... That's what you think about doing if you want a posthumous political career."

Wow, if it was that dangerous, maybe an ambitious political type who got into Swift boats thinking it was mere coastal patrol-- not brown water-- might scheme to get out as soon as possible. Like maybe fabricating "wounds" with which to obtain the three Purple Hearts that requisite for an early exit.

[dennisw]

Wow, if it was that dangerous, maybe an ambitious political type who got into Swift boats thinking it was mere coastal patrol-- not brown water-- might scheme to get out as soon as possible.

Right> Kerry volunteered for the Swift Boats when their assignment was not very dangerous. The mission became brown water and dangerous after Kerry signed up.