I joined in 1999. There was no war going on and the last military conflict the US was in was peacekeeping in Somalia or the Balkans. I was 17 when I signed up,

I joined in 1999. There was no war going on and the last military conflict the US was in was peacekeeping in Somalia or the Balkans. I was 17 when I signed up, and like many low income people saw it as the only way to pay for college, because I couldn’t afford any other route. Once you sign up, refusing orders will get you sent to military prison plus a dishonorable/OTA discharge. I’m glad you’ve lived the privileged life that has allowed you to think that this was some ascetic choice, like picking a school or an outfit, but this was the only way I could figure out how to exist because I had no money and no skills, and no help. I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish, but you’re punching down. Never a good look. You have no idea the burden put on people like me, lower class that have no options because capitalism has ripped away most sources of a better life, and then sold at 17 a way out, you just have to offer to serve for a chance for it. Then you end up in a war. Sounds like you haven’t had to make a hard choice in your entire life.