Simply put man, you are going to be asked to pay more dues than I think you are willing to pay. You have no idea what you are getting into, and your motivations seem pretty shaky at best.

I was 26 when I found myself in the back of an M113 with the Army in a tank battle, despite having silver pilot wings on my chest. "**heck?" doesn't begin to do justice to the questions you will ask yourself at times when the military places you in some God-forsaken place far from family and loved ones, often without a complete set of tools to finish the task in front of you. I was young and bullet-proof once, and I wouldn't take anything for the experience...but...

This is not a viable second career for a mid-life reassessment. You'll see less of of your family, have more stress, and risk getting yourself killed along with getting that "stable paycheck" you crave. If you waffle or find out THEN that you are in the wrong spot, you just created a huge problem for the guys and gals at your right and left.

Reasons to serve in my opinion include wanting money for college, wanting to serve the country, wanting to learn some new skills, and yes...the desire to bring some hot fire on our enemies. Everybody's got different reasons, and some have more of one than the other, but everyone at some point finds themselves in a position that can be pretty challenging. If you are just trying to do this for stabilty, you will end up one miserable, scared, and probably ineffective service member.

Just my two cents...