Pros
unbeatable benefits. easiest job you'll ever have: get told what to do, exactly how to do it, when to do it, and even what to wear while you're doing it. So if you like STRONG structure, the military will be a good place. You can do just about any civilian job imaginable in the Army. If you look at the Army as a (very well) paid apprenticeship, you're time in will go by very smoothly. I went from living in my truck, to buying a beautiful home off post in one of the most expensive areas in the country. with my benefits, I make about double of what my parents (both with masters degrees) make after 30+ years in their career fields. I'm 24 years old and I'm basically 14 years from retirement. The army can be an unbelievable opportunity for people like me, that have lots of potential, but few means of capitalizing on them.
Cons
However, this is one of the only jobs in the country that you can't quit. you also give up your constitutional rights in order to protect other Americans' constitutional rights. Unfortunately most commands don't seem to want to help you progress your career unless its with in the military. you lose any individualism, which is great for nipping social issues in the bud, but you end up being a just a number for administrative issues (pay issues, orders, personal/outside the military issues). Often times, people look at your chest (rank) and automatically discount you if they happen to have more stripes than you. However in occupational specialties like my own, there may be extremely limited opportunity to get promoted. It's not uncommon to see someone 1-2 ranks higher than you, who have been in the military less time than you have been your rank, and still be less skilled, and less qualified than you are.
