sherbet wrote:I can't make up my mind about Legion4.
That he's a Walt of some kind is for sure - the insistence on constantly quoting his service record is, to me, a sure sign that he's trying to convince someone of something.
But I think it's more that he wants to convince himself that those halcyon days - where he never saw any combat and never truly tested himself (in his eyes that is) - still meant something. His military service, I believe, eats at him because somewhere inside he feels he somehow hasn't measured up; why else the repeated commentary on his service record?
I think he served - I'm less convinced about the officer bit but unwilling to brand him a liar without further proof (though that spelling and grammar is very questionable). But he obviously misses his Army time in some ways and has to relive it to feel good.
Now many people find it hard to fill that hole when they leave, but most don't harp on like that; take a look at arrse.co.uk, lots of 'old and bold', but they don't talk like L4.
So maybe he's a 'self-deluding' Walt. He's a Walt of some type for sure.
This is my read on him also. Probably a bit dissatisfied with his career, might believe if he had been in conflict he might have stayed in and retired. An Officers (Major, Lt Col) pension isn't tremendous but it doesn't suck either.
Interestingly I served as an Infantry Officer during peace time and have never regretted not going to war and in fact feel fortunate that we were blessed to not need to fight. Most of the men I served with are of the same opinion. Service is service and it is in no way diminished because there was no conflict during the term of service.
Our friend Allen Curtis served, as an Armor Officer, during conflict and peace and I am of the opinion that he was much happier when not being shot at. Being competent and prepared should be enough to make you feel good about your service.
