Pros and Cons of Joining the Military?

Pro - you will be forced to learn discipline, the pay isn't bad after you rise through the ranks, you will learn a job skill, you will see other places (a lot if you are like me), you will meet people from other cultures both within the military and outside, you will get free clothes (not exactly fashionable for some of them.), you will get discounts at certain establishments, you will learn to work hard AND play hard, you get a lot of paid leave compared to the rest of the workforce, I think I could go on an on but to me the most important is that you will be serving your country.

Cons - the pay is a only a livable wage until you rise through the ranks, you will miss your family on special occassions, the job skill you learn may not be transferable to the outside world, it is hard work (sometimes), you have to do the right things all the time because there is no such thing as "I wasn't on duty when I did that" as an excuse.

You can only decide for yourself but I have to tell you I spent an entire career in the Army and consider it one of the best decisions I ever made. I am now making well into the 6 figure range and it is because of the skills I learned in the army.

A pro and a con at the same time -

Assuming you go full time, the life you leave behind is probably not the one you will go back to when you get out. Even if you are only in for a few years.

It may improve your life, it may destroy it. It will change it though.
How will it change? No telling. Maybe you meet your wife. Maybe you get hurt in battle. Maybe you come out and find some great job. Maybe you decide to move to another state that you were stationed at.
But your old life - gone.

Don’t do it

"No man left behind" - is not a current policy.

Pro:
separates you from temptations.
Guaranteed paycheck.
Easy way to get respect.
Training respected on resume
Very nice pension.

Con:
Destroys family and social network
Immediate supervisors give orders and not suggestions for your job.
Must get good conduct discharge to not destroy your life.

Think long and hard about this and look at the military overall and the particular branch. no you’re considering. This isn’t the military of the past. Or as I was told in ‘68, “This ain’t your father’s Army ( he was Army) and we’re in a war!”

It may teach displine but that's all it will teach. In turn it will feed off and direct you wrath to whatever enemy and turn you into a killer. And when you are of no use they will throw you back into normal life with no rehabilitation still as a killer.

I debated and debated and never did, but in many ways I sort of wish I had. Just for the experience of being part and helping others in terrible times. But I never wanted to know how to fire a gun stopped me.

Should have attended parochial school in your formative years. Once you graduate, you have attained the ultimate discipline needed for life.

You might find that if they detect you lack self discipline during boot camp/ basic training, you might be let go.

Discipline is self taught. The military is not in the business of training people to be disciplined.

Do you need military to learn self discipline? Not always.

Con - People expect you to respect authority...

A sense of pride,oh and you will learn discipline.

you get to travel and make friends

Why would you want to be screamed at?

My cousin is a sergeant

Pro: paid living expenses like housing while serving, decent medical programs, you get more respect from people, you can get discounts in certain amusement parks and restaurants.
Cons: you get separated from your family alot, you could DIE, the people you become friends with some will die, the medical hospitals for veterans aren't always the best and PTSD is a real thing