The life of a man (or woman) in the service of their country, fighting for it and the people they love and love, is one that is full of sacrifices. Being a soldier is honorable to the highest degree because of the "ultimate price" on the line. It is a sacrifice that not everyone can make. It may be just 1% of the %0.5 of the people of the world.
To step your feet on the soil right outside your home, looking at all that you could leave behind if you came back in a body bag. Dealing with the thought that when on the field, any second could be your last; any breath could be your last; any word could be your last. Positioning your mind to focus on the goal of the mission when on the field, rather than the one whose scent is on your collar, you could only be distracted by the smell of aviation fuel. Imagine how she would feel when she read the letter in the bloody plastic bag. You never know what words might be enough to give her one last piece of you.
The life of a soldier is not one for the weak at heart. Many may actually have started with weak hearts, but it is as you say,that every moment of brotherhood, camaraderie, and bonds forged in the white hot intensity and chaos of combat, coupled with acts of courage and bravery that one sees and reciprocates, regardless of the daunting outcomes, builds us into something much different than what we may have started as.
Having survived all there is in service and deployments, it never really ends at the moment of retirement. As a matter of fact, that may as well just be the beginning of a newer phase that could be termed "the mind battle." This is another thing to deal with. Unfortunately, many do not survive, but their acts of heroism will never be forgotten.
It takes a strong woman and a partner to hold a man (in life service and deployments) together. She would have her own fair share of battles to deal with. And praise should be given to women of such virtue.
The life of service and deployment is one that I once wanted to live. But then, I lived with some of these men for a while, and then made up my mind that I was "courageous" enough to handle it. As a result, I declined.
A nice summary of my post, thank you.
Military men and women do a difficult task, hold themselves out there at risk and and give up a lot to do so. Those left behind at home do the same, it is terrible for the partners, especially when their spouses are deployed to warzones. Maybe those at home are the true heroes, I don't know.
Thanks for your comment.