As a vet my self (3 tours) I really hate it when soldier hype it up. I hate when soldiers act all hard ass, it really pisses me off, and to think that every day people should bend over back wards for off for us. It was a choice I made, just like every other soldier made. It make me no better then you. It was a choice, and I enjoyed the time I had. The only thing that most vet ask for is from the government, and that is to respect us, and not treat us like a number.
And I'm not sure about this, but it seems that the new crop of soldier are just more full of them self, or it's the fact that I'm older now. I can't remember If I acted that way, but I like to think I didn't. It saddens me to think that when I get out, that the Army will change into a monster. Full of dumdass, and jackass. Soldier that have no respect for the uniform. But everyone say it's the new Army are now, and you can't take a Soldier behide the building and kick the shit out of him, to get him to act right, you have to put it on paper.
So if he better then you? No. He's not, and you're no better then him. You made the choice to go to school and he made to choice of being a jarhead. You both are just people, enjoying the choices that you made, for better or for worse.