I am now travelling the world to see and experience the world and taste and sample what it has to offer. I am now in the US and had an idea that I could try doing military service. The idea of something so radically different and structured than what I'm used to, combined with the connections and opportunities and benefits that military service can provide seems appealing. However from the outside the military looks cultish and indoctrinating, as well as the fact that it is the US military. I haven't done my research on all the fucked up things the US military has done but I know that they've done bad stuff and that part is looking like it could be appalling.

My question is directed towards anyone knowledgeable about the US military and its ties. What is the military really like? What is it after behind all the bull shit? Are there ways to exploit the system or use it to your advantage without selling your soul or contributing to any messed up objectives it may have? Or is it pretty much becoming a puppet of parties behind the curtain and a waste of our previous, irreplaceable life?