Starter making noise intermittently

[ablank]

From reading through other starter posts it seems like it may be the bendix, but I wanted to verify before heading down that path.

What is happening is intermittently when I press the starter button it will make a grinding noise, it sounds like when you'd try to start an already running car. Usually a second hit of the button and it engages normally. I haven't had the truck very long, on the drive it never did anything, then after some mild water crossings post IKE it did it once, then fine for the next serveral starts. So far, it's done this 5 times since the 13th, but I don't drive it everyday. When it does engage it seems strong, and starts quickly.

I guess I'm a bit paranoid, but wanted to see what ya'll think.