Football, come on! get real, i know America has a thing about sports, but to me, that would be a waste.
My brother is in the British army.
It is not all medals and clean uniforms, it is not like that at all.
You will be pushed to the limits of your endurance and beyond. You will freeze in the cold, drown in mud, burn in the sun, be eaten by insects, gassed so that you spew, marched day and night until you cant walk. You will be hunted and "tortured" and will hunt and destroy. They will push you further and further and they will show you no mercy. That's how you make soldiers.
My brother was leading a small detachment of men the other day on a training exercise, they couldnt locate the enemy for two days. They got frost bite in the hills and when they returned after heavy casualties due to "enemy" fire they stood guarding the queen for tourists. They give you no quarter.
My brother is extremely proud to be part of the British army. But remember, there is no glory in war. People die.
My brother enjoys the army. Companys will recognise this experience. There are many opportunities in the army. Sure, it's hard, but it has meaning, purpose and brothership.
Ignore the films, films are emotional nonsense, war is real, if this is your basis to join the army, you wont make it. Sure, you need a higher calling to make it through, for queen and country or any personal desire and ambition, but don't confuse reality with fiction.
(my brother has only served in Bosnia- he'll probably be going to Afghanistan- soldiers get frightened too- but good soldiers are never as frightened as their enemy)