The "OR" was intended to affirmatively indicate those in the Military as having engaged in "selfless service". I appreciate your attempt to diminish your own contribution in that regard, but I just can't let that go. Accepting a position where you are under another's control 24/7 and paid a "wage" fixed not by the market but by the Government is the very definition of "service".
I thank you for yours.
Rich,
As always, you are gracious beyond what I deserve, but I do appreciate your kindness. Further, you are correct: the Navy salary I earned during in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s was well below market-norms and, obviously, every active service person is under continuous jurisdiction (although this sounds a LOT more draconian than, in fact, it is). However, as you indicate, that is precisely why it is SERVICE to our nation and its citizens.
I want to briefly amplify the points I tried to make in my previous post. A complex and multidimensional society requires a balance of service. Plainly, a nation composed of entirely engineers, or physicians, or teachers (etc.) simply could not function. Now, I believe many citizen provide service to America, I am grateful to all of them, and (IMHO) they should be proud of their contribution(s). I do feel that military service stands somewhat apart, for the reasons you suggest as well as a few others (such as protracted time away from home – for that matter, frequently removed from any civilization – sometime brutal living conditions, real risks, and so forth). However, I cannot belittle the service of the EMS technician, the police officer, and many others who devote their lives to the betterment of our citizenry (even if they have more-reasonable incomes and the right to quit).
I also wanted to re-emphasize another point. IMHO, service is a privilege, because – in the end – it gives the individual a sense of pride, of self-respect, and of contributing to important things larger than himself, thus elevating his entire life. Everyone should want to serve and everyone should have the honor of service. This specifically includes those with physical and mental challenges. As you may recall from many of my previous TFL posts, I am economically-oriented, frequently viewing public policy issues though a prism of the costs imposed (taxes, insurance payments, etc.) on society. However, this is an area where I fell we should collectively spend; the teenager with a real physical handicap or the adult who is cognitively challenges still deserve the right to serve. Obviously, service opportunities for these individuals will have to be tailored with care, but they, too, should have the privilege of looking back and knowing that they made a contribution and a difference.
Therefore, with all this said, I believe in “universal, voluntarily” service. Universal, because it should be ubiquitous, with everyone contributing. Voluntary, because virtually every citizen should WANT to play a role.
Again, your generous – and sincere – comments regarding those of us who have or are serving in the Armed Forces are sincerely appreciated. Form extended personal experience and long introspection, I can tell you that my Naval service was both the catalyst to so many other blessings and the genesis of life-long pride.
With warmest regards -- Roy
If I was in this for the money, I'd have gone another route many moons ago (as my 16 yr. old Chevy pick up will testify too 
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