One of the downsides of military service is performing duties that are in conflict with personal morals. Some of the Coast Guardsmen involved in the farcical Makah Indian whale hunt joined Sea Shephard after their enlistments, while one joker possibly ran over a jet ski protester deliberately. The Guard rescues Cuban refugees while enforcing a nautical iron curtain against Haitians. It's called politics, and not even the Commandant is immune from following orders, however wrong or onerous. I was involved in a huge drug interception. Half the crew went on a celebratory drinking binge and were useless the next day. I had to pull a double watch for somebody who outranked me and was my "superior." Service can be a wonderfull experience or a nightmare. Anyone joining has to be a hard headed businessman with goals for the enlistment and possible return to civilian life after. Everything the military does is " for the good of the service," which often translates as bad for the individual.