I served in the US Navy from 1987-1993 and aboard the USS Constellation most of that time.  I was an IC2 (Interior Communications Electrician) in the "Plat-Lens" shop, which had two purposes: take video of flight operations and give the pilots a fixed reference to land with.  It was exciting, fun, and changed me for forever and for the good.  (I am also golden shellback if anyone knows what that means.)

I was actually lucky enough to be on board when they filmed "To Fly,"  an Imax movie that they show in the Navy Memorial in DC to this day.  Believe it or not, a 100-lb lighter version of me is in three scenes, and the "star" of the movie was my lieutenant.  (Little known fact: everyone in the movie is real except the Lieutenant's wife and kid.  They're actors.) ;)

Now it's over twenty years later and I'm sitting here watching the 2nd episode in PBS's "Carrier," and I couldn't be more proud of my shipmates.  Sure, it's a different ship (the Nimitz), and it's 20 years later, but I feel like I know every one of these guys.  If you have any interest in the Navy, the show is really well done.  It's a 10-hour documentary that follows some real-life "characters" (to help you connect with the crew) as they head off for Iraq.

It's amazing how much has changed (phone booths out to sea?  Are you kidding me?), and it's amazing how much is exactly the same (too much to list).

All you former (or current) military, I'm proud of you.  Sound off in the comments, will ya?