Pros
If you complete 20 years in the Army it will financially pay off better than the majority of other jobs. It is also a place to find yourself if you feel like you need a little direction in life. Working for the Army is sometimes like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are going to get. This can be good because if you are stuck with a less than capable boss or in a job you don't like, it won't be that way forever. If you are a person who likes variety and new experiences, the Army allows ample opportunities. There is also a sense of pride and accomplishment that is inherent in the job. Many people associate the Army strictly with a "shoot to kill" mentality. However, there is more that lies beneath and many jobs that don't involve shooting or killing--that's not to say that any Soldier will never have to shoot or kill. The Army is a community that provides most jobs that you can find in the "outside world". There is something for just about anyone however, it comes at a price. RECAP - Good retirement benefits - Endless support systems - Job security - Excercise leadership skils; given more responsibility than you might get in the "outside world - You will never go without food, housing, or work
Cons
The Army isn't for everyone. If you are doing it for the money you are better off not joining. You will bring yourself great pain. In the Army your personal life isn't completely separate from your work life. This can be a problem for people with loose values. You can lose your job and/or be punished for cheating on your spouse and exercising freedom of expression beyond what the Army deems appropriate. The Army is a 24 hour job. That bein said, deployments are long and can be hard depending on your job. Lives depend on your leadership or lack there of. So, again, if you are in it for the money then don't bother joining. RECAP - Give up some rights to freedom that other Americans would otherwise have - Take orders from people that sometimes are less educated than yourself - Long deployments