Advice from a real life army loser: I was an infantry officer, airborne, air assault, ranger tab. I declined going to rasp 2 to deploy with a platoon I was going to lead in AFG. Ended up divorced and left active to join 19th Group SF. If you want my advice take it or leave it.
I loved the men I was able to serve, and serve with. My NCOs, fellow junior officers and some soldiers were some of the best people I have ever met. We had some awesome and not so awesome times together. When I left the military was rapidly adopting progressive leftist ideals and forcing them down everyone’s throats, one of my reasons among many for leaving. Others including serving the military industrial complex and basically throwing the lives of some really great Americans down the drain in the name of military adventurism and lining the pockets of political hacks, senior officer shills that become consultants. AFG was a war that was fought and won in 6months and then we stayed for 20 years with no real plan, no real goals, it left lots of people I know and admire wounded, maimed, or dead. For what? Oh and did any top brass get in trouble for spineless leadership? No, did any GO’s get fired? No the army is not your grandfathers army. Band of brothers exists at the company level and below. The army is machine that will use you, destroy your body, your family life, and then toss you aside. I still consider myself a patriot, but I do not see anything worth joining. If we had a real threat arise I would be at the front of the line ready to fight, but while our Gov goes around getting us in BS conflicts I wouldn’t take part in that.
Also next thing: no one really cares about your service. No one cares how badass you are or were once you leave. It might get you an “ oh that’s cool” or a nod from a fellow veteran but deep down no one gives a shit.
You are making a big choice for you and your family, if you must maybe look at 19 th or 20th group, rest of NG is pretty fubar. Feel free to ignore this or tell me I’m an idiot hope this helps