It is the politicans who start the wars-the armed forces do their bidding and fight them.

To tar all veterans and serving members of the armed forces with the same brush (re the assaults on civilians and POW's in Iraq) is not on. In all wars there are similar cases, but they are a minority, it is just that today with modern communications and IT these things come to light more quicker and investigations launched and courts martial assembled.

Many in the armed forces joined up to get away from poverty at home, problems, lack of work etc. Others like myself joined up for the trade training which has stood me in good stead. Yes you do get thugs in the armed forces but they are a minority not a majority, just as you get hooligans at soccer matches, and muggers on the streets.