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All I know is this. The first time in my life I felt normal and accepted was about 4 drills after basic I was one of the guys because I did so well. An Lt on the make picked me out of the bunch to be his gunner. I had nearly passed the tank commanders exam a few hours after being handed the manual. Ok it isn't that hard on an M60. It basically common sense and knowing the part names.
Anyway it wasn't all great but that was the first time in my life I belonged to a team and was part of that team. it lasted 9 years by the end the damage had started to show itself again. my buds and I nearing 30 were growing apart. I can see from here that all of us were quite damaged and thats probably how and why we all bonded so quickly and used alcohol and they pot so recklessly. It was also the thing to do there and then and probably still is today. There is very little for a young man to look to as a proper example of a normal life in that area which I expect is true of a lot of rural areas. Amnyway I relate to enjoying the comradship possible in the military. Good for you.

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