We weren't talking about becoming rich. We were talking about getting out of poverty.
When I was in the Navy, I was making around $35k/yr with all my allowances. All my electricity, water, rent, food and all my work clothes were paid for. I mean, really, $35k/yr liquid income is nothing to sneeze at.
Hell, its more than I get now after the bills are paid.
Inerestingly, my time in the Navy was spent in places considered war or danger zones, but I was never near any kind of conflict. Why? because I worked the system well. The military is more than the infantry, and its more than front line conflict. *gasp*shock*amazement*