I'm retired Air Force, step-son is currently serving with the Air Force. Father is former Marine, his 3 brothers all served and retired. Family has served (and fought) for the USA since the Revolutionary War. Emigrated from Germany in 1753. Don't know about service before then!
For those who want to understand further, when you join the military, you are theirs. You go where and when they tell you to, without the civilian option of saying "I don't want to do that.", or "I quit!". In essence, you give up a lot of the basic freedoms you have sworn an oath to defend, with your life if need be!