There’s other options if you’re willing to move to a developed nation: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-free-college
Signing a contract to be the governments whipping boy is orders of magnitudes easier than getting a visa to a country that doesn’t have military intervention as it’s chief export.
But is it worth it? Or easier in the long-run?
No, but what does that change? There’s more than enough people who will choose the easy option with immediate gain.
why wouldn’t it be worth it? you end up living somewhere far more reasonable
Going into debt is easier and safer than either of those options. The debt is worth it if you get a good degree in something that pays and limit the debt you take on. Not really worth for the “experience” unless your parents pay for a nice school that gets you to network with other rich kids. You can reduce the cost by taking courses at community college and transferring into a state school as a resident of that state. Going ham with loans to pay for a private school or something probably won’t be worth it for most people.
If you join the military it should be about wanting to serve as the end goal. As in you think it’s the right thing to do without the free education being a factor or just being broke. I do get how just getting paid is a reason for a lot of people but there is obvious risk associated with that.
It has a good chance of killing you or leaving you pretty broken with limited support after. I say limited support because many vets are homeless with various physical and mental health conditions. The VA doesn’t seem like it’s doing a enough, probably due to a lack of funding. Some people can have success either making it their career or using their experience and GI paid education as a jumping off point for their career. Those with success still might have health problems or deal with things like PTSD.
Just go to Europe instead.
