[Revlis]

For me I did four years Active duty Air Force, then four years as a Civilian Contractor in Tampa Florida.

I have no regrets, I'd do it all over again, it's made me a much better person. Stronger mentally, Physically, and emotionally. I was never home, frequently called away on short or long deployments so it's important that your support structure (wife etc.) be behind you 100%. But over all I look back at what I was before hand, and who I am now, and I would never go back.

You'll never have as many real brothers watching your back as you will while active duty in the armed forces. It's a special feeling and something that I miss.

One Downside... money, You won't have much, EVER. Least not until your a 0-6 at 16 years or so, then you might be clearing $70k a year or so not including differential/incentive/hazard pay. So you do need to come to grips with the financial realities of Service.