Aloha All,
I am new to RallyPoint - and like most Newbies, I have been overwhelmed with all the new knowledge. I have noticed many Men and Women posting Political items of one kind or another. I will never disrespect your opinion. Why? Because I was in the Army. And the Army is one of the most diverse, yet understanding, places I have ever been exposed to. So let me explain.

In my Platoon we had a Hopi Warrior. He would greet the Sun each morning (with song) and then Thank it at night, wishing it to rise again tomorrow. Needles to say, that wreaked havoc with guard duty. LOL
Another Platoon mate was an Inuit Tribesman. He and his wife treated us all to our first (an my last) feast of whale blubber and seal meat. Yet another guy was from Guam and was a Black Belt. We had Platoon mates with Doctorats, and others who could barely read a comic book. Five of our guys were from wealthy families. Ten from Middle Class families. The rest were from poor areas, single parent homes, and two who were Orphans. Talk about Diverse. I served with men and women from all fifty states, every territory, and even two who were from different countries- immigrants who became citizens, and served their new country well. What we all shared was Duty.
So when I read your opinions, even if they are scathing, degrading to the other person or party- I take it with a grain of salt. Like Combat Veterans (I am non Combat - but that doesn't mean I didn't lose friends or fellow soldiers- ours is a dangerous mission even in peacetime training.) Like Combat Veterans, I know that I can work with someone I don't even like- and I have. Combat Vets don't care if you are sloppy at home, cheat on your spouse, or drink a bit to much. They don't care if you are bad with money, or belong to the "other" party. All they care about is that you can do your job, and well. And that you have their back. None of that other sh*t means anything. Your opinions are not you.
I don't care if you believe in a Flat Earth, or the tooth Fairy. What I care about is if you carry the baseplate, barrel, or bipod through the whole mission without complaint. I care that if anything happens, you aren't going anywhere without me. You have my back, my six, my rear. And I know it. That is what counts!

So please, remember your training. When the Political stuff gets hot or doesn't agree with you- agree to disagree. Remember, Top would put you two together in the Field to share shelter halves, or place you on KP until you worked it out.

I am proud of everyone of you. And I won't back down just because I believe differently than you do. I know you: Soldier, Sailor, Air Force, Marine, or Coast Guard- when I reach for a hand to pull me up with my heavy ruck, or out of burning oil on the water...your hand will be there. And it won't care how I voted.

I don't join political discussions, but I sure do laugh at the cartoons, links, and opinions. Because I know at your core...you want to serve! I hope all of you Soldiers of all types and branches, take a moment to realize how diverse the Service is. And how many times you had to bunk with someone you didn't like, and learned to trust them. They did their job. You did yours.
You served!