My 2 cents
Let me throw my 2 cents in:
I joined because I'm not originally from this country, but I realize that living in this country, has made it possible for me to be who I am today and has provided opportunities that I would not have otherwise have in my country of origin. At 24 years old, I am in a Master's program, I own my own business, I have a 2005 vehicle, I never have to think twice about going out to eat, indulging myself, or buying clothes or shoes....... and then I realized, I have so many things and I'm so young, I feel like I have a duty to give back while I can, to help protect the values and the country that have made it all possible for me while at the same time learning things that the civilian world just can't teach: a sense of duty and commitment to intangible values that tangibly make it possible to be who we are today, among other things.
I admire the young men and women that choose to serve today in times of war, and I hope that the young men who put up some of these posts are joking about their main motivation to joining the military being women and sex, because first, it sounds really pathetic and second, it scares me to think that these are the guys that are representing us abroad. I mean Cpl Graner, Lyndie England, ring a bell? Anyway....... that was my 2 cents.