Sorry , dion_pangallo but this last reviewer has no idea what hes talking about, "any civilian with even the most basic background in fitness could do" Ok, sign up, lets see you try, "you signed up for a job knowing full well what was expected of you." No ones complaining but you! Paid Handsomly?, Starting pay for any branch of the militarty is below minimum wage "received all sorts of benefits, grants, loans etc" Like WHAT? You are ill informd "additional retirement salary FOR LIFE!" If you serve 30 years, you do get a retirement pay, Ill give you that. But its no different than many large companies that still pay into pension plans to retain key employees. , Fire departments, Police departments, Teachers or any other government employee. Get your facts straight