DU Vets: I think I need a wake up call!

[wheresthemind]

Tell me...

I've honestly had an strange kind of attraction to joining the Military. I'm a huge liberal and extremely anti-war, but have internally flirted with the idea of some day serving. This is probably just teenage angst but I'm wondering what you, as a vets who I know have seen and experienced some horrible things for your country, overall advice would be to someone like me.

Note I am not at this time seriously considering joining the Military, but I'd like to know what you would tell a naive 16 year old kid who has no idea what its really like being in the army. I'm worried that all the war movies, video games, and recruitment ads are distorting my sense of reality and would like a bit of perspective from you guys.

Please enlighten me...

Note: I'm not just looking for Military negatives, if you have good things please share. Just gimme the truth! : )

Double note: I'm very very tired and another post got me thinking about this!

This is not a thread for bashing of any kind!

EDIT: Goin to sleep so don't stress yourself writing a response! I will check this tomorrow and give it a bump then. Thanks guys!