Yes it is important. But in 2001, it is hardly putting one's life on the line. Any more than driving to work or driving to to do volenteer work is putting one's life on the line for one's country. When was the last time someone was injured by enemy fire on a carrier? 1945?

Things have changed. In this war the safest place to be is on a carrier or military base. I have a lot of respect for the ideas Robert Heinlein put accross in "Starship Troopers" and other such books. But I think those ideas were better suited to the 40's 50's & 60's. In today's time of smart weapons, bombers dropping precision armaments from 50,000 feet, cruise missles, unmanned surveilence drones etc. Most armed service personnel are well away from the danger, working consoles doing maintenence and pressing buttons. In light of that, the contribution of the cop who keeps order the flight attendant who flies in spite of fear, or the worker who pays taxes to pay for these fantastic weapons becomes pretty much as important as the serviceman.