I think acting can be very frustrating, and there's no experience that doesn't make you a better actor.
America will always side with those whom she can direct, give orders to and have those orders obeyed.
Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, lose their arms and legs in car accidents; people die every day. Same with fighters: some die, some get hurt, some go on. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you.