Kerry's enlistment in the Navy was a political move. He hoped to emulate his idol JFK and return a war hero. In Kerry's mind the best way to get the exposure at minimal risk was the Navy. He hoped to lob shells at the enemy from a distance. Unfortunately for Kerry about the time Kerry signed up the Navy came out with the "swift boat". Kerry wasn't counting on that. It put him far closer to the action than he ever counted on. After moving up the ranks he was named officer in command of PFC 66. He was at that position approximately 6 months. His injuries allowed him to leave 6 months earlier than the majority of commanders. When he returned to the US he found he was not the hero th thought he would be. He wet his finger, put it in the air and became a protester. The rest is history. He can mouth on all he wants about honor and duty. Bull, he enlisted for the wrong reasons and has been wrong ever since.
BTW, swiftboats.net has a very detailed accounting of swiftboat activity. Shows Kerry as commander of PCF 66. Unlike, most of the other boats no crew was identified as being under him. There are stories of firefights and even a man tossed overboard. Kerry isn't a part of those stories. Interesting that during Kerry's stint many boats were transferred from An Thoi to other staging areas. Kerry's wasn't. I don't think we have been told the truth about Kerry's time in Vietnam. He should fess up, less he continue to dishonor the service of others who sacrificed much more than he.
Interesting take.