Yah, as a retired Army dude, I'm with you. I mean, the Air Force are a buncha civilians wearing uniforms anyway (heh, just teasing you), but still you're absolutely right: soldiers, and sailors, and airmen, and coast guardsmen, and even marines are people, too. Ain't nothing wrong with Chad taking a few minutes' break mid-morning to check VN.com and contribute a line or three.
On the other hand,
@Chad F , you are a fairly high-ranking officer in a fairly high-visibility job, so be careful who all in upstate New York might get wind of things you say, things like "the garbage I see in New York every day," and, "there's nothing in Syracuse that interests me." Some of the cadets the Commandant and his staff (i.e., you) lead are from Syracuse. Quite a few of them are from New York state. Heh.
Just be cautious. Or some of those visitor socials could get a bit awkward.
Go Vols!