Honestly, besides being tortured, what did McCain do to excel in the military?

Being tortured is enough! And to say that it's not nice to ask the question [read below], stops short of what should be said and that is that it's a fucking despicable question. McCain spent years in a Vietnamese prison camp being beaten, tortured and subjected to all sorts of inhumane treatment. That's enough, that is giving everything to your country short of your life. No more is required.
That said, I don't support him. But it doesn't have anything to do with his military service or his dedication to his country. I disagree with his policies.
Honestly, besides being tortured, what did McCain do to excel in the military?: "It's not 'nice' to ask the question, but it's actually a pretty good question. Yes, we all know that John McCain was captured and tortured in Vietnam (McCain won't let you forget). A lot of people don't know, however, that McCain made a propaganda tape for the enemy while he was in captivity. Putting that bit of disloyalty aside, what exactly is McCain's military experience that prepares him for being commander in chief?"