OK– Ultimate and utmost respect to you, I just need to make myself clear here so I tagged you in my comment to iamyownrushmore. Consider that (edit: sigh, now this too, I guess) my last statement in terms of argument about the subject.

Furthering the disclaimer of my sincere, utmost respect for you. Seriously.

I'm just gonna up and tell you that you've misunderstood me a lot, in terms of who I am. It may partially be from the fact that I talk about the best parts of myself on Hubski, and that when we met my mom was with me over-dressed in nice clothes, I was over-dressed in nice clothes, and again that my mom drove me to a rock concert offering an image quite like that of the whitest kid on the fucking face of the Earth edit: Universe. Also my Facebook profile is that of the world's most emasculated toddler.

I'm not taking what you said to offense, or taking it personally in a negative way, I'm just clarifying. ftr.

Who are your fellow soliders going to be, pabst? Do you think that you are going to be surrounded by educated, erudite, philosophical soldiers? Do you not think that a job whose responsibilities include potentially killing people might not attract people who may be interested in killing people? You're going to be surrounded by fighters. People who don't consider themselves fighters, and then others who do: people who do MMA, BJJ, who like physical combat.

Have you ever been in a fight Pabst?

Facts: No particular order.

1) I go to a public school. It's high-ranking cause it's the Ellis Island of Korea, and all the white kids pay $3,000 at a time for 3-week tutoring classes– I'm serious. I did not win the former genetic lottery, and did not win the cash lottery either.

2) Yeah, I've fucking been in fights before. Trust me. Alone, and in groups. Enough to learn the difference between when it is right to be in a fight, and when it is right to compromise or flee. I've been a varsity wrestler for 3 years and I run Spartan Races, if either of those are credible points to attest that I can deal with physical challenges. Either way, I think my motivation, will, and ability to learn to train for any physical challenge should be enough to cover that.

4) I know that at West Point I'm going to be surrounded by the most mentally tough young adults in the United States, as well as the most disciplined. I know that I'm going to be surrounded by some of the most physically enduring young adults on Earth. They will also be among the most intelligent young adults subject to of one of the most rigorous academic curricula in the country. As a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, I'm going to be tasked with the immense responsibility of directing a large group (16-44 men and women) that may risk their lives at any point throughout my supervision of them. Sidenote: I have to double-check that white was in the army but if so, he could attest that this is even belittled by calling 2nd LT's "butterbars;" they're merely entry-level commissioned officers.

From what I know, West Point sufficiently and outstandingly trains cadets, granted they are personally cable, for that responsibility. Those who aren't often wash out, often in the first 6 weeks.

5) Yes. I believe that there are going to be sick people in the Academy and in the Army. I believe that there are going to be sick people in the cubicle across from me at work, in the car in front of me in traffic, in the seat next to me on the plane, and in the desk behind me every day in every class at school. My upper-class NYC suburban environment doesn't protect me from any of that, neither do the forests Bumblefuck, upstate New York. I bet you'd be surprised to find out which area has more guns.

6) I'm sorry about both of your ex's, and much more so for the affect they had on you, because I know you more personally. I do not know the extent of the pain felt by a victim of PTSD, or the pain from the immediate perspective of those closest to one who is suffering from it. It's one of the main points I'm considering in dismissing my interest in the Academy.