You don't know enough people in the military then. I've met plenty and usually they are from south east or middle america where the unemployment rate is double or triple that of the coastal cities. Where the choice after graduating highschool is working some low end job or not working at all.

Most people I know in the military joined because it was the best option available, school, housing, and clothing is taken care of. And with signing bonuses and hazard pay they have plenty of money to send home to help family out.

Don't kid yourself for a second if you think the military doesn't recruit heavily in middle America for those reasons. They do very well in places like detroit, south Philly, small towns throughout the bible belt.