Stars Earn Stripes has been a slap in the face to all men and women in the armed forces, all branches, since it's first thought. They touted "REAL DANGER, REAL AMMO, REAL EXPLOSIONS" on ads all through the Olympics. What they cannot simulate is the mental portion of war. The mental anguish that the military go through is something that they will never be able to simulate. They can simulate a small portion of the physical side of war, (very small portion) but not much. Can they show one of the co-stars holding another in his/her arms, as one dies a slow painful death? NO, they can't! Should a loved one, "at home" die, will NBC let the stars go home for the funeral? Yep, they sure will. If one of the male star's wives goes into labor, will that male star get to be there for the birth of that baby,??? YOU BET he will. Our Military men and women don't have that luxury! And how about the ones left at home, be it male or female? They are now a single parent trying on a meager salary to make ends meet. They worry when the doorbell rings, a knock at the door, and are terrified when an unknown car drives into the drive way! Those are just a FEW of the MENTAL parts of war that they will NEVER EVER be able to simulate, and mental is just as important as physical!
