You can retire from the army after a mere 20 years with about 1/2 your base pay for life plus free or cheap medical benefits for life etc. Thus, if you go in at age 18, you can start over at 38 with a raftload of bennies and pay until you die. On top of that, you can pursue whatever other career you so desire. Name me a single civilian position that offers the same.

good point. I forgot about the 1/2 base pay part, despite it's what my dad is doing.