[NoRoadtrippin]

I disagree with finding fault with this guy. Some of the comments made by others interviewed as part of the story are rather ridiculous. Such as Don King's implication that a "dream job" is of more value than freedom.

Are there lots of farm boys and young studs from the block out there signing up each day without any credit? Yes. And good for them. They often are pulling themselves out of a life with limited opportunity and opening a door to places and opportunity untold. For 250 years, our military has offered that chance and there's no shame in signing up for that reason. Some of them are also doing it because they feel called to serve. Even better.

But along with opportunity and a chance for a better lot in life, our military also used to hold another draw. It used to be that, rather than being able to avoid service based on your socioeconomic status, a young, healthy American male was expected to recognize a greater obligation in relation to the greater benefit the freedoms and opportunity this country had offered him. There was a time that public service was expected in proportion to your own wealth and status, and it was a positive relation, not an inverse one.

As we have lost that sense of obligation the upper echelons of our society have lost a connection to the military, and I think we can all agree that is not a good thing. There is a disconnect between the Soldiers in uniform and the people who ought to be supporting them at home. As others put it, the military is at war and the people are at the mall. So how do we solve this? Draft? No. Education? Maybe.

So, what about those commentators mentioned above? What about his bosses who were worried about his choice? If he comes home, says "This is what I experienced, and man let me tell you why the military changed my life for the positive." Or if he talks about how vital it was to know people at home backed him up or understood why he went, then his service is a force multiplier for the long term relationship between our country's Soldiers and the people we go to war on behalf of.

Did this guy need or even deserve a news story just because he joined up? No, he didn't. But just because he got one doesn't somehow besmirch the fact that he signed up. This guy joined in spite of not having any of the "needs" that young 18 year old on the farm or in the 'hood might have. He did it when a sense of duty or obligation could be the only possible reason. Good on him. If it serves as a catalyst for even one rich, liberal hippie to change their mind and gain some perspective themselves then I say let them write all the stories they want.