In many ways the Military is cyclical and depends on budget and posture, retention is tougher when times are better on the outside and easier when times are tough on the outside and wars demand more manpower.

I don't regret my time in at all, and I owe the Military a debt of gratitude.
The Military, like any well run corporation is going to do what it determines to be the best course of action. Don't count on changing that, at the same time you have to determine your best course of action.

Times and budgets change, but the teeth of the tiger are always small in relation to the whole. The body has gotten a lot bigger since WWII, in fact it has exploded in size and the teeth are a lot smaller. The teeth may be sharper and stronger, but they are now miniscule in relation to the whole.