Platner enlisted in the
Marine Corps shortly after graduating from high school in 2003.
[1] He attended the
Marine Corps School of Infantry, then deployed to Iraq in 2005.
[6] He served a total of eight years in the military, including three
combat tours in
Iraq, in areas including
Ramadi and
Fallujah.
[10]Asked why he served in the Iraq War after protesting it, Platner said, "I thought I could do some good. And I wanted to play soldier. I might have read too much
Hemingway."
[11]
After four years in the military, Platner enrolled at
George Washington University, funded by the
G.I. Bill.
[1]Shortly after starting school, he enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guardand served an additional tour of duty in the war in Afghanistan
Dude volunteered to go to Iraq after growing up middle class north eastern socialist knowing it was bullshyt then after doing his time in the military went back to the shyt.
So he volunteered 2 times to go and smack Arabs around.
This wasn’t a “I don’t have any options after high school so I better join the military” this wasn’t a dude that got off on being a soldier. So much so he made it a career.
I think it’s both. He liked the money but he also liked playing the role of SS Sturmmann amongst the natives.