With your military background you would have no problem becoming a CMP member. Join the Garand Collectors Association and then tackle the paperwork they want to make sure you qualify to be in the CMP. I actually drove to Alabama from Mass so I could take a good look at the rack grades they were offering. There were a ton of empty rack slots.....and I was not happy with condition of most field grades. I took the jump and moved up to a CMP Special. The new Criterion barrel, wood stock and almost new interior components for a great price of $1050. She is a shooter, a 1954 Springfield Armory. The greatest part is that the CMP doesn't just throw an unsafe M1 into the racks. They do replace parts. My special came with 100 percent SA parts. No bent op rods. It is worth the drive down, not to mention the nice ammo I got to by while there. If that is too long of a drive, visit the Camp Perry CMP store, same great M1's. They are offering mostly newer Garands now...my generation of the fifties. You will pay more for a WWII rifle. So, tough decision, do you want a shooter or a piece of history. Its tough. I gave in to the fun of shooting. Good luck. A truly fun rifle to shoot.