While I don't partake in those free meal things, I feel and relate to your sentiment. I too am in a similar boat, I've been in now nearly 16 years, missed my first deployment due to a knee surgery that happened just hours before the unit got notified to MOB, got bumped from the 2nd and 3rd MOBs for reasons beyond my control. I struggle with the guilt of all three from time to time. Especially since my first unit didn't all come home alive from Iraq. People tell me all the time not to but I can't help but feel guilty. That said, it wasn't in the cards for me, sounds like it wasn't in the cards for you. Nevertheless, take pride in what you did do while you served. less than 3% ever serve and less than 1% actually see combat.
