For the record, this is not a criticism of people who are *in* the military–it’s a tough and often shitty job that’s super stressful, regardless of whether or not you’re active duty. We talk about the military and how it’s getting out of control, particularly here in the US (I can’t speak for other countries since I don’t live in them), but that doesn’t mean we blame soldiers who are sent out under orders and spend the rest of their lives dealing with the consequences of a richer, more powerful person’s decisions.
I know I have younger followers, so let me give you a piece of advice; whether or not you take it is up to you. I know military service can look attractive, particularly if you’re able-bodied, or if you know you’ll never be able to afford going to university without digging yourself into debt. They offer to pay for your post-secondary education, they offer you job security, and even if the pay is shit, well, what job doesn’t have shit pay these days? I get it. I was offered the same things when I was a junior and senior in high school; I was in way better shape back then, my test scores were good, and I got phone calls and emails so often that I had to block the army recruitment office’s number. Trust me, there are other options. Community college is cheaper and most universities will take their gen ed credits if you want more than an associate’s degree, you can take time off from school and work a shitty retail job where the worst thing you’ll have to deal with is an elderly woman shouting at you as if it’s your personal fault that her coupon is expired, you can do literally anything else. I’ve got family in the navy, and trust me, I think my uncle would absolutely trade in his rank for a chance to live his life without PTSD.
