[Illuminati]

Nope, what you see in training and what you see in combat are two different things. It depends on the person, some people don't even get effected in their tours because they aren't strained mentally.
However if you go overseas with your best friend and see him die in front of you, like myself for an example it is a whole different playing field. Plus you got to take in account how strong your mental status is. Everyone is different, if you go over there with a chip on your shoulder and think you aren't scared and can do this and that by yourself you won't be re-turning home in a plane, but in a coffin.

My advice for you, don't waste your life for a senseless war. It was started and will never stop. Join the Marine, of course but there are many other branches you could do within the Marines instead of being a grunt. I was overseas in the earlier stages of the war, now it's just a big pain in the ass. You die in vein, that war is something that should have ended long ago and use our troops to protect our own land.

Just some advice, you're young and I'm sure it all looks like glory and medals, I have medals and they mean shit. I am doing something in my own country and it actually HELPS. You go over there and let's say you build a school or something, or even help a kid. The kid dies, or the school gets blown up because their culture is fucked. There are innocent people there but it's too full of terror organizations and other bullshit. Help your own, is all I can say but if you want to serve. Good choice.

First off, thanks for the detailed answer!

One of the main reasons I plan on joining is to take advantage of the post 9/11 G.I. Bill, as it could help prevent myself from going into debt early on in my life. I'd consider myself fairly mentally tough as I've been through a lot and have personally seen someone stabbed multiple times. I also have fired machine guns and snipers, and am confident I'd be able to handle myself in battle. As far as what I'd see overseas, I think I would personally use it as motivation to fight harder and make that area a better place.

The one thing I'm afraid of, however, is death. I've heard that Navy members rarely die, whereas people like Marines, Army, and Navy Seals die fairly often. Do you have any idea if Navy members die often?