Actually, I served from 1990- 1998. My unit didn't deploy to the Gulf- although it seemed like just about every other unit did. We got to guard the PX and housing area and spend a lot more time in Hohenfels. Thems the breaks. When I finally got deployed it was to stupid missions like Macedonia and Bosnia. Had I known 9/11 was going to happen, I would've stayed in, but back in 98 it looked like the future held just more perpetual feel good peacekeeping and BS deployments. Not what an infantryman really wants to do.
I hear you about not wanting to be perpetual peace-keepers. What a drag. I do not blame you at all for not wanting to sit around all day like a glorified security guard. I would have loved to see that seminar... LOL! I hate to belittle thier sickness, but enough is enough. I wonder who the hell came up with this phenomenon in the first place.
I will bet you have an interesting perspective on how much the service changed between 1990-1998. I can see from your post that you wer not exactly in love with the idea of staying in. I was in the Navy with Strike-Fighter Squadron 83 from 89-93. Thats the squadron with Cdr. Stumpf in it. He was my CO. His story is on www.military.com an awesome site! Poet, I am not exactly in the know yet I find it hard to believe that the Military would willfully expose so many of its personnel to that type of danger. To be really calculating about it, I do not think it is cost effective.
To everyone else, thank you for your kind words, they are a little embarassing but I just HAD to tell this story as it is obviously beyond the pale. I think most people here would have done the same thing. Thats why we're Freepers! :D