There are only three things that I would want to join the military for, and I can only do two of them.

First would be to help people. Field medic, builder, that sort of thing. Second is traveling the world. And the third? Piloting a fighter jet. Problem is, I'm too tall. At 6'7", my head sticks about a foot out of the cockpit, and I really don't think they make convertible jets.

Another appealing aspect is the brotherly bond that many soldiers feel. Having someone you trust with your life working with you.

I really don't plan on ever joining the military, as I can do pretty much all of that as a civilian. I can see why some people find it appealing though. Many do it for the supposed adventure, or the honor, or the order. Are they right? I don't think any of us can really say.

My friend wants to fly fast planes. That's his reason.

I will probably never join the military, but at least in Norway it is a good way to get education. You can get your apprenticeship if that is needed, you get free food and housing and a little bit of money. You can also study to get another profession that you can use outside the military. When you're done you will also have the rank of sergeant I think. So you can use it as a way to get education, and when you have the education you have pretty good guarantees for getting a job.

Besides the chances aren't all that great for being sent into war, and the chances of dying are even smaller.

Dayum! That's quite a bit of cash, or at least it is where I'm from. If I were being offered that kind of money, the first thing I'd think is that I'm being sent to my death. Although perhaps that's why they pay that much?

When I first left the service, I had a job flying oil and precious metal expeditions into remote areas of the world, sometimes into war zones. Because we didn't have good maps (or even maps at all sometimes), it was as you can imagine, not entirely safe. The money wasn't very good, but it was for the sheer thrill of it that I did it. These days there are so many private armies about that it's the only way to get a reliable calibre of chap. True, the money does reflect risk, but it's more to do with attracting the right kind of people.

On the other hand, if you pick the wrong company to join, it might very well be well paid because none in their right mind would work for them.