On that same note my Dad survived hiking across France and Germany in '44 and '45, went to college with a family so wasn't involved with Korea, and was recruited by the "state department" after graduating from UVA.
He was everywhere US personnel were not supposed to be until my Mom passed in '68 leaving 4 kids under 18 to be raised. That ended the traveling and he soon retired. Only to die of a heart attack at 59 YOA. What a shame.
My advice is to get out as soon as you can, there are no guaranteed tomorrows.
