I joined when I was very young and uninformed.
This reminds me of my pastor who joined the Marines right out of Highschool. Vietnam. He knew he made a mistake as soon as he got off the bus. He stuck it out, but you would not think of him as a typical ex-marine, semper-fi kind of guy. I also had a step brother who had the choice of jail or enlist Vietnam in 67. He was Airborne, fortunately he made it through.
I agree with your militia stand and glad you became a liberty lover.
SDG