And when we all came back and found that someone our age got a deferment
for
any reason other than physical we did nott ake kindly to them But those
were
different times with obviously different standards.

Really Art it isn't much different today.

Well, I won't speak for the other services, but in the USAF, the guys/gals left
behind aren't treated any differently than those who went. The only minor
difference is the guys who went have a few more tales to tell at the bar. Why
would I possibly look down upon a guy who didn't go to combat through no fault
of his own? I missed out on DESERT STRIKE in 1996 because I was home on leave
and it was a "come as you are" operation that was 80 hours from notification to
weapons launch. Was it my fault I missed out? No, just bad timing. In 1998 I
was also a victim of poor timing. I had just returned from upgrading to
aircraft commander in November and by mid-December I was *nearly* finished with
mission qualification training.....when Clinton ordered Operation DESERT FOX.
Once again, through no fault of my own, 75% of my squadron picked up and left
for the Indian Ocean. Not only did the guys who go not look down on me when
they got back, they made a point not to discuss the operation around me because
they knew it had killed me not to go. Since then, I haven't missed a combat
operation involving BUFFs and don't think any less of those who have.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"