I recently returned from another rewarding USO experience in the Middle East, visiting our military. Like my other trips to our fighting men and women, this exposure to their world was as informative as it was emotional. 

Many Americans think a lot about those who are serving us during this war. But the members of our Navy usually do not come first to mind. Their presence in the Persian Gulf helps to keep us from the unthinkable prospect of defeat by our enemies.

The first thing I realized when I stepped onto each ship is that they are designed for function, not comfort. Even the officers sleep 4 to a room, in a space smaller than my bedroom. And the younger sailors, they sleep in rooms which house up to 80 men! Everything is small – hallways, stairwells, fitness facilities, and chow halls. It’s an existence in miniature - human sardines packed into tiny metal containers while working and living.

I know it would be difficult for me to cope with this constant “in your face” world, if I lived in it for months. I marvel at the ability of America’s sailors to accept their circumstances. Everywhere you go on a ship, respect for others in not just a social nicety, it’s absolutely necessary. As a result, everyone lives together and is able to perform their vital duties. And so we here at home can go about our daily lives without having to worry about our nation’s security.

Military food was never intended to be 5 star, but I actually found some of it to be delicious. I’m on a strict same-thing-every-day diet, so it actually was difficult for me to eat food items that are not part of my nutrition regimen. For these guys, though, 3 meals a day and no more is not uncommon on some ships. If they wake up at midnight and are desperate for a meal, they are left to rely on snacks from an on-board store.

Military ships would be the perfect place to film a reality show. There are always simmering tensions that must be dealt with smartly, or emotional explosions would take place every hour. The coping skills of sailors allow ship life to go on, so that those on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan are protected.

The most unnerving experiences for me on this trip were those spent out on the oil platforms. These could drive any civilian to madness, and I certainly came close. I would walk out of my tiny room and see nothing but…ocean. And more ocean. It’s a scene out of the movie Waterworld. And I could feel the danger. Lots of vulnerable lives are on these platforms; all of them are dependent on each person doing his job with utmost precision.

The heat – it’s so intense that within minutes it buckles you. The temperatures often run in the Fahrenheit mid-130s! One step outside and, from your scalp all the way down your face, sweat forms into rivulets; at first dripping, then pouring.

Where are you going to go? These oil platforms are, like the ships, clearly not concerned with your comfort. There is very little walking space when you’re captive in this watery universe. It was a strange environment to find myself, and I was left wondering how these people can function under these harsh conditions.

America, rest assured - we are in very good hands. Our sailors have taken on the awesome responsibility of protecting their people back home. They are smart, tough, dedicated and determined.

These sailors must know they don’t get the attention they deserve. But they’re out there - on floating cities that never sleep.

They’ve got our backs, and because of that our nation will always have a future.