[AcecePesFeacy]

When my tour was up, I was very ready to leave. The sergeant-major who was conducting my exit interview asked me why I was leaving the military. I told him as gently as I could that I couldn't be a part of a "death mentality" anymore.

Re. the question on killing to defend your family...I would fail as a Buddhist.

but...

I'm glad I didn't have to.

I think that you have not failed as a Buddhist. I do not think that to practice buddhism is about letting a killer murder your family. That can be prevented without harboring hatred feelings as explained in Sobeh's post # 25 where there is a clearly explanation of "defending with no violent posibilities".