Tom Tancredo thinks military service is a penalty.
TANCREDO: Now, the military, let's talk about that, you know, because I think that's an intriguing aspect of this to tell you the truth, and I'll tell you why. The military — although I don't know why the military is asking for this. Do they say that they can't reach their quotas and they want more people? I'm not sure, but even if that's not part of the equation, whether the military wants them or not, at least what you're talking about there is — is undertaking something that is difficult, a challenge, and maybe can even be seen as sort of in a way a penalty. You have to serve in the military. You know that can be seen in a way as having doing something that you would not otherwise do. I can understand that, but a college education?
Tancredo claimed depression to get out of serving his nation when he had his chance.
Now lots of people said what needed to be said to get out of going to Vietnam, but most of those people didn't go on to have careers wrapping themselves up in the flag and cheerleading wars for others to fight.
But Tancredo has. Apparently, for him, the wars are extra punishment for those men and women serving time in uniform.
It wasn't like that for me. It was an honor to put on BDUs and combat boots in service to my nation. Then again, I'm not a chickenhawk Republican.