Serving in the Army

My question for you...why do men and women join the military today? Same reasons as back then? Different ones? In your opinion, is military service worth the risk involved? What would it take for you to be motivated enough to join the military in the middle of a war? Would you have joined during the Civil War? What would be hard for you if you were a soldier...Risk of death? Being separated from family for long periods of time? Physical training? Something else?

   Men and women join the military today for many different reasons, but some motives to become part of the army are the same as back then. Today, people who graduate from high school join the military so they get a free college education. Others affiliate with the army for the minimal, but satisfactory pay. The ability to gain recruitment money for joining the military was also a reason to become part of the army in the 1860s. Moreover, people want to join the army because of their loyalty to their country and the glory they look forward to earning. Those factors have not changed. Military service is for people who are brave and not afraid of putting in some hard work. In some cases, the risk is worth it, but it all depends on the situation the country is in. Legally, I couldn't have joined the military during the Civil War because women were not allowed. If I could have, I wouldn't have done it until a friend of mine or a relative was killed on the battlefield, fighting for the Union. Being away from home and the physical toll caused by serving in the army would be hard for me, but the worst thing would be if I had to face death. Personally, I don't think that I would have the drive to serve in the military.