[xm177e2]

Some soldiers, especially the elite units, always seem to be itching to go to war.

Some of the vets here on FR say they'd love to get back into combat (SOME, not all).

[PokeyJoe]

I'm not sure where you're coming from.

As a former professional warrior, I consider it my responsibility to go into combat.

I am a warrior.

I am trained to complete my mission, because I have spent many years learning tactics, the operational arts, combined with the efficient use of firepower.

What you see here on FR is a recognition by former professionals who understand that it takes many years of practice, discipline, and money to trian professional soldiers who are able to subdue emotions for a greater good.

Elite Soliders are not "itchy" for combat - but they recognize that they are prepared emotionally, they are trained, and it falls to them to do the ugly job - and they do it.

That's the difference between young recruits just out of boot

The professional soldier, with nearly 15 years of training, will enter a building, engage the enemy, kill the enemy, complete the assignment and then self-extracate, if needed.

The young warrior is willing - but likely to make mistakes more often because of inexperience, unfamiliarity, and emotional reaction.

So, if someone has to go - the professional will volunteer to go because he doesn't want his buddies to be killed. He goes to protect them, and to complete the mission.

[SBeck]

Although the exact opposite wannabes, the soldiers in elite units who are itching to go to war are generally the ones who want to use their skills and are emotionally ready to deal with the realities (i.e. the fog) of war, but haven't had an opportunity yet. The ones who have been in combat are generally pretty quite about what they've experienced. None of them that I've spoken to have ever used the word "enjoyed" when they reluctantly described their experiences.

A great book to read on the wannabe culture is "Stolen Valor" by B.G. Burkett.

[ImpBill]

If I didn't have this "out of shape", 56 year old body, I would go in a minute. But it would not be out of a sense of wanting the "thrill of battle". It would be to serve our nation, once again, in what I believe is the most dire threat to our way of life faced in my life time.

[Bobsat]

Some of the vets here on FR say they'd love to get back into combat (SOME, not all).

Don't get sucked in by the wannabe "combat vets" here on FR, and there are a lot more than just SOME....

[Britton J Wingfield]

Some of the vets here on FR say they'd love to get back into combat (SOME, not all).

I mostly see vets itching to just do something, anything to help. Feeling helpless sucks, especially after you've been trained and accustomed to be able to react to a crisis.