Well sure, only in the military do you get to see the truth of the world. As a civilian state side your entire life you are shielded from 90% of all the bad shit in the world. War changes you. War is a racket, soldiers, sailors and Marines all see this every day, its a wonder so many come back and are cynics.
Yea, those who never go anywhere only see and hear what they are allowed to. Being out of country you get all the news and info that is not allowed the USA. It does change you. You come back with opened eyes and, GOD FORBID, with knowledge of the real world that goes against what the government wants us to know. Our current media sure make a good filter these days. If it wasn't for the internet we would not know a fraction of things we know. The govt. hates how quickly information moves these days.
It just sucks to high heaven that those who volunteer to risk everything come back as suspect. I guess the govt. doesn't like the idea of people they trained for war to know too much about what the govt. is up to.
Even Barry Cooper stated before he left law enforcement for our side that he would target vehicles with disabled vet plates or purple heart plates as that was associated with possible drug use (Vietnam era at the time).
I am a vet and I do not trust the govt. I don't hate it, but I do not trust it. I came back and turned to MJ and I am one of the most peaceful anti-violent person you can meet. I go out of my way to avoid trouble...but if (or when) they start collecting firearms from people they will need that firepower when they come to my home. Everyone has to die and I will die on my feet before I will live on my knees.
