Depends on if you go active or guard. I was first guard then switched over to active. Like Brian said, there will be the bottom of the barrell with nothing left in life, but then you'll have those that did it out of patriotism and other reasons. It's not all bad people, but the people are what make the military. I've loved being in the Army since day one. There's lots of BS involved, but when you get to do the high speed live fire, demo ranges, and other maneuvers, it's all worth it. I say if you want to do it, don't do a job because it sounds cool. I never listened to my old man who told me either go in as an officer or pick a job you can use on the outside. I was dumb headed and became a combat engineer. Not much in the civilian sector relating to demolitions, mine clearing, obstacle breaching, CQB combat, Bradley Fighting vehicles, or weapons. Find something you might be able to utilize in the world, like telecommunications, or computer shit. It may not be high speed kill kill shit, but you'll be compensated when you get out (if you do). I went back to the Guard last year, and will say compared to active, it's a joke. But if you like $$$ for school, extra pay check, and something different to do one weekend a month 2 weeks a year, I'd go guard. If you got any questions on the army side, you can shoot me a PM, I can answer a few of them. Been around the army thing for a while, so I've seen a few things.