Addressing the motivations of him directly when he makes a choice to not be open about them would be bad form.

But you just did that. If you don't want to discuss his motivations, fine. But in that case you shouldn't contradict my hypothesis.

But in general people are seldom completly open when they speak about personal issues on the internet.

Agree. Did I suggest otherwise?

I also do have a mental model of him and in general of why people want to go to the armed forces.

Well you also need to have a mental model of why people say they want to go into the armed forces. But you don't want to discuss it -- fine. My point stands.

Anyway, if you want to engage with me you will need to be clear about your position. If you play "hide the ball" again I'm going to close things out pretty quickly this time.