When 9/11 hit my immediate reaction was to try to reenlist, despite the fact that a. I was never an amazingly good soldier and b. the last time I was called up I spent half the time sick or injured. (Pneumonia in Benning then pulling my back shifting a mortar.) After mature reflection (and being told by a recruiter that I was a year too old, a condition which has continued despite the Army extending the period every year. By one year!) I came to the conclusion that my best choice was continuing to be a bard for the military.