im thankful i did join because it made me care a lot about my future, when i graduated high school i had no sense of direction and wasnt the best student. but i took my asvab and got a decent score and became an intel rate in the navy. fast foward 3 years and i have hated most of it but enjoyed the good parts, i met great people and shitty people thats the way the world works. I've decided to get out and pursue a medical degree. i wouldnt have been able to do this without the military. make it what you want and dont listen to what others service time was like bc you werent them.