The Soldier in Me - by Kos

American Prospect Online - The Soldier in Me:

"One of the many tragedies of the Iraq War is that the military is no longer a viable option for those needing a boost up the socio-economic ladder, making college a possibility, granting people the confidence and experience that has paid such huge dividends for countless veterans. "

I'm sorry. When did the military become a social service agency. The military is there to protect and defend our country. The fact that veterans were/are able to benefit from their service is secondary to their primary mission. The few who enlisted for the "boost up the socio-economic ladder" may have found out what the true cost of that boost is when they were deployed.