buzz cuts, camo and "Yes, ma'am"

This week (since Sunday), I have been staying about 2 hours from home at Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard Training Center in southern PA, near Lebanon. I was there to attend a week-long training session to get my accreditation as a Veterans Service Officer which enables me to represent veterans and submit their claims for veterans benefits (compensation and pension) to the state office of Veterans Affairs. For the past 7 months, since I've been working for the county, I've been helping the VA director by answering phones and making appointments. But now that I am accredited, I can actually help veterans fill out the forms and submit the paperwork.
The training was conducted by military types of all kinds: retired and active army, navy, marine, guard, and reserves. One thing I have to say about these guys - they treat women with such respect! I have never been called "ma'am" so often in my entire life! Soldiers were everywhere I went...in the building where our classes were held...in the mess hall where we had lunch...in the bar where we stopped after class...I don't think I opened one door myself all week! There was always a soldier there to open it!
Here in PA, every county (there are 67 in PA) has a VA Director to help their county veterans in any way they can - getting benefits, health care, or even just to make sure a flag is placed on their grave when they pass away (did you ever wonder where all of those flags in the cemeteries come from??) After I passed the tests for the accreditation, I got to sit in on the 3-day annual meetings for the directors - all 60+ of them - and these guys are all veterans themselves. Now that I am home, I feel the need to take a bubble bath and go shoe shopping. Hoo Ra!