I am not unique in any way. I am certainly not perfect and it is almost irritating when he says that. I am struck again by a desire to do something. Something significant, to define myself, something concrete, substantial, unquestionable. I think about this:  part of the reason I wanted to join the military was to go to war. To come back, no matter what happened, and have something, a certain respect, fear? disgust even? (for something other than the basic fault of being a girl) that no one could question.I've (maybe, you don't know) killed someone (in a morally, politically sanctioned way of course). I have power over you because I have experiences you do not, experiences that are defined clearly in our society as honorable. how will you dismiss me now?