it is amazing. part of it might be that there are no jobs here, other than cowpunching, and if one is not born into a family ranch, the military is one of the few options, as college is not an option for most non-ranch inheritors without going into the service first to get financial aid. It is like the ranches are feudal estates, most have been in the same families since settlement, four generations ago.
It probably isn't much different in many other places i imagine...
I think it is kind of unfair that the kid that lost his legs isn't the medal of honor winner.