The freaky thing is we spend an insane about on the US military so we can bully the rest of the world. But then we don't spend that on our troops. Shit materiel, shit armor, shit supply. Instead we're investing in laser planes and active camo on tanks, and the POS raptor program.

To paraphrase Kurt Vonnegut, we treat our troops like toys a rich kid got for Christmas which became obvious during the War on Terror, but new info traces it back to Vietnam.

If the armed forces gave our troopers real gear, didn't treat them as expendable, but people expected to come home and actually have lives (rather than missing pieces, dealing with a TBI from an IUD or lifelong PTSD) and the DVA treated those shot up like the heroes they're allegedly supposed to be, then maybe there's an argument for joining up.

But as it is, military service in the US is comparable to self-harm. The only ones who should be joining are those who are on the verge of unlifing and have exhausted all other options.

Seriously, counter-recruitment writes itself, as per the social media failures about Army Experience. Even if none of the things above happens, you're at risk of becoming the pet project of some bully officer who wants to break you, and if you're not too unattractive, you're at high risk for sexual assault and a following cover-up, while you get quiet medical discharge.

You know, I wonder if the French Foreign Legion treats its troopers better than the United States. (I genuinely don't know.)