My DH was in Aden in the early 60's (he wasn't DH then!) serving in an Aircraft Carrier, ferrying troops and equipment, and as a very junior officer, commanding military protection for the evacuation. The same in Borneo, although of course we weren't told too much, and he's hardly mentioned it from that day to this. As our fathers hardly ever talked about their wartime experiences this was pretty normal for us. But I do know that he felt that he joined the armed forces of his own free will and was well aware that it could mean putting his well being, even his life on the line. Presumably our armed forces join with this knowledge as well.