As I watched the video, I felt Gesar, as a young man, becoming a warrior. The Armed Forces need men like Ben, who have practiced, are practicing and will practice calm abiding and engage in skillful means.

The most powerful voices against War are those of the Warriors.

Be Brave Ben.

Excuse the anger in my first post, and its one-sidedness on reflection.
I do not doubt Ben’s bravery and his patriotism, and the fact that the Navy sometimes helps to defend democratic systems against horrific totalitarian regimes such as Maoist or fundamentalist distortions of the Muslim religion.
However I think Ben and anyone else thinking of joining the military should try to make themselves more politically aware of the imperialism involved in the defence of capitalistic systems which exploit us at home and abroad, and are used often to pervert democracy and freedom. They might also reflect whether it is Shambhalian or Buddhistic to be involved in warfare at all.
In some extreme circumstances (e.g. to stop the butchering of others such as in the Holocaust or in the former Yugoslavia ) this might be necessary, I don’t know.
The recent and ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have to mind a very ambivalent moral and political basis. There have been many civilian deaths and it is likely that the NATO forces are often creating as many terrorists and hatred of liberal democratic societies as they destroy.
Good luck to you Ben and I very much hope you do not come to any harm. I also hope you do no harm to others, especially if they are not directly involved in actions against yourself and your companions. Perhaps you could switch to some role which is more helpful. Overall I hope that these wars come to an end soon and less aggressive means are used to maintain our defences. I admit it can be complicated and I also hope my own aggression and confusion clears through the practice and study of the sublime dharma and the teaching which lead to Victory over War/

Scott: Your film is very accomplished, in my estimation. Watching it, I feel connected with Ben’s quest for maturity and vitality.I am moved to think of the contrast between the Mountain Center environment and the milieu he has entered, unknown and slightly intimidating. You have captured his brave act. Thank you.

Ben: I wish you good luck. I don’t know what you will find, but I will think of you and practice with your well-being in mind. Peace.

Ben,

the small picture of you as civilian brings a shower of questions;
what adventure are you looking for,
where to look for the adventure,
what do you need to grow up as human being?
f e .

wish you well, with sunny greetings,

Therese

Hi Ben! Great to see you, at least virtually. I remember you well from the 2010 summer Dathun, esp. when I loaned you my hat when you were heading off to the stupa with Greg for the tour! Wish you all the best in your adventure and I will keep you in my thoughts.
Cheers,
Robert

Does it not require you to help kill innocent civilians to help NATO’s military-industrial and economic warfare?
Maybe he should practice some more.

May he learn all he needs to learn. May he come back home having done no harm.