During a discussion at the autumn 2005 DMCN Editorial Board meeting, I mentioned that prior to becoming a doctor I worked as an engineer analyzing nuclear weapons' testing data. After the meeting, Dr Jean-Pierre Lin suggested, that in the current world climate, I write an editorial on how I intellectually and morally underwent a metamorphosis from an expert in high atmospheric nuclear physics to a specialist surgeon in the care of children with disabilities. I feigned interest but brushed it off in my own mind as quickly as possible. I have always had, and continue to have, the greatest respect for the men and women who wear the military and civilian uniforms of our nations. Furthermore, my work was done more than 25 years' ago and is now, no doubt, relegated to obscure government reports and possibly doctoral theses.