Sergeant Dan Kissane, in Iraq, sent me an e-mail titled "You would have been proud":

I had a moment that brought you to mind the other day. I was riding in the commander's hatch on my panzer, wearing Bono-style fly sunglasses, and blasting Depeche Mode's "A Question of Time." British synth pop definitely has a place in this man's Army.

My response: A man after my own heart. I don't know if the Pentagon will go for black leather or chain link uniforms; maybe they'll be more amenable to requiring recruits to get a Violator Rose tattoo. Both are worth a try. The real issue here is why you're not in Army recruiting videos. Set to music. ...Like Depeche Mode. With a girl on each arm, in true DM style (no, not work-safe).

UPDATE: Fixed the last link. Yes, the racy one. Only because the world needs to know that the boys in Depeche Mode aren't sissies.