Bill Caudle, at the age of 39, joined the U.S. Army this month.

Why? It was the only solution he could see. He was laid off in March from a position he’d held for 20 years, and he got inducted so he would have coverage for his wife’s chemotherapy.

He will be gone for four years.

He will miss his youngest child’s entire high school career.

His wife’s ovarian cancer may well kill her before he musters out.