<prompt> Human: Im not a financial advisor, nor am I a recruiter. But as a guy who recently left after serving 6 years as an officer in the Army, I feel compelled to share because I meet so many young people who are confused about what they want to do in life. All too often, when I suggest military service, these young people write it off or dont look into the benefits. So for a young person Im talking 18-20 the internal conflict is normally do I go to college? What do I study? For these people, if military service is an option for them, there are two routes. Enlistment or officer commission through ROTC or West PointAnnapolisetc.Enlistment has many benefits and is most suited for the person who doesnt know what to do in life. Pay will be small somewhere on the order of 15-17k for a Private but total compensation gets you somewhere around 30k. An enlistment includes housing, meals, 100 healthcare for yourself and all dependants, life insurance, TSP, and while deployed all income is tax free. After 3 years of honorable service, you have access to the GI Bill which covers in state tuition, provides a monthly stipend, along with a few other education benefits. Pursuing an officer commission is another great opportunity and the best way to go about this is either an Academy or a ROTC scholarship. Both routes provide you with tuition free education. The service commitment for an Academy is 5 years, for ROTC it is 4. A brand new LT or Ensign for Navy can expect to make about 55k right out of college. Most of the above for enlisted applies - you can accept free govt housing or receive a tax free housing allowance, free healthcare, etc. The only fine print is that an officers service obligation does not count towards earning the GI Bill. So a West Point graduate would have to serve for 8 years in order to receive 100 benefits. The GI Bill does offer partial benefits however. What isnt listed here is the great leadership training and life experience one can gain during a stint in the military. Are there a lot of homeless veterans? Unfortunately yes. Are there veterans making well into six figures? Plenty including me!. The key is to maximize your benefits and earn a worthwhile degree. There is also the option of making the military a career for those crazy bastards who enjoy it! and earning that sweet 20 year service pension yes, some people get a pension at 38 years old!. Its not for everyone but do yourself a favor and think about it before you write it off.  <response>: Dumb Private mistake number 67- Enlist in the Army because a former officer who did a 6 year stint recommended it.1010 dont go unless you enjoy being surrounded and led by idiots and multiple week camping trips where you freezesweat your balls off in the worst possible conditions your area has to offer every single month. 