[AndrewKemendo]

This is incorrect post Vietnam

The US is an all volunteer force and has to constantly and persistently provide a compelling alternative to other jobs - so in one sense, it's an employer like any other.

If it were as domineering as you insinuate (it isn't) then nobody would sign up and/or we would be admitting very destitute or people with no options, which isn't the case.

[psunavy03]

And of note . . . the majority of the US military comes from the middle three quintiles of income. It is literally a middle-class institution.

https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demographics-us-military

[nunez]

This is extremely surprising and not surprising at the same time.

On one hand, you hear about how active DoD recruiting is in Middle America and economically repressed neighborhoods.

On the other hand, I've met several people from wealthy families who enlisted and enjoyed their time there.

Thanks for the link!