Lepus, I don't know a huge number of people in the military, but those few that I do know were intelligent people. One has a degree and is in the RAF as an air traffic controller. My brother for a long time, also considered joining up - mainly because from a very young age he was fascinated by military aircraft and wanted to be a pilot. He was in the ATC as a kid and then the TA - paras. He has also always loved physical exercise and loved survival exercises. In the end he didn't join up mainly because it would have interfered too much with his hobby - rock climbing. He turned down a scholarship with the RAF because he realised it would tie him to that career and he hadnt completely made up his mind. He is now a firefighter (and has a degree from Oxford.

People join up for different reasons and they are by no means all stupid or ignorant. Knowing some of my brothers friends who did pursue service careers, I don't think he is in a 5% minority either.

Bagpuss