Over nearly 4 decades I've been amazed what a small business like mine(mostly homebuilding) has generated in goods purchased, sevices hired, many jobs provided directly, countless jobs created indirectly, training new people to aquire marketable skills, helping several younger people build and or buy their own homes(even to co-sign), and I can't imagine how many dollars that has generated in tax dollars over that period. And I've seen that in countless related businesses I've overlapped along the way. It's quite amazing how the economic machinery works in this country, and it supports it, and our military.

Maybe you've had different experience but I think this is repeated throughout the country with many small businesses, and is serving it well.

You should be proud of your son in law. I would be. Choosing to go into the military, or not, doesn't make anyone better or worse.

You're right that this thread doesn't belong here. But if someone starts this, and you have something to say, like I did, and then you did, what's the harm?