Actually Sir, It was the Navy.

And yes, they educated me sufficiently to launch a great career after afterwards. One which generally required a college degree, to which I never even came close. Based upon the great respect that many in industry had (still do ) for Navy schooling, my naval training was accepted as equivalent to a degree.

And yes, after two years in Nam, they did let me have any duty I wanted, anywhere I wanted. That was quite common, although hardly universal. But since I did enjoy the Captain's respect, mostly because of much hard work and self discipline, that fortuitous perk did come my way.

You earn respect when you can be relied upon, are determined to accomplish any assignment, and are forthright in your dealings with others. And that respect pays off big. But most important of all, you can achieve self-respect that way. Yes - I am aware that in their foul attitudes, not all aspired to do that. But that was a free choice, as was mine.

If, as you indicate, many of your comrades were only interested booze, broads, and bravado; that might explain why they never got anywhere in the military; ironically, no further than they might have gotten in civilian life with the same behavior, either.

Bad attitudes handicap a lot of people (more than just about any other cause) -- why should anyone be so surprised about that!