Might be working on a theory of my own.

The economy is in shambles. You either wait it out or the next best thing, the Military.

Has the economy regressed in order to make such a thing more appealing? I'm interested if I'm on to something and would be interested in hearing thoughts.

I'm 18 and curious. I was close to joining the service, but this thought always stuck in the back of my mind.

You know, that's a real good question.
I'm 19 and have told myself that if, and only if it came down to it, that I would enlist.
My problem is, I don't see me being able to commit myself to a system, for a set amount of time, I just don't trust this world of ours enough to get caught up in a whirlwind of events because of that said system.

But yeah your right, a majority of my friends are now across the world, in various branches of the military.

Resist it my friend!