If it was real, it'd be better for the kids then going around snoking pot.
Smoking pot is very nearly harmless, while joining the military is self-destructive idiocy. Of course both those statements should be adjusted depending on the socio-economic class of the person in question.
Joining the millitary is not self-destrutive idiocy. It is an important job that needs doing. Even in peacetime they act as a powerful deterent to potential agressors to US interests (and even moreso to potential agressors against the US - an act that would be sheer suicide for any nation to attempt in this day and age).
Contrary to the beliefs of the political extremes (whether neo-cons who see them as cannon fodder for empire building, or radicals who see them as jackbooted thugs), These are by and large hard working and honorable individuals who play an important role in maintaining our nations security and interests. Now, exactly which circumstances warrant large scale millitary intervention is a whole different debate, and the millitary is definitely not a good career choice for everyone - but that's why we wait until a person is a legal adult and (presumably) able to make well informed decisions about their future. It's not a job to be undertaken lightly, but it's not self-destructive foolishness by any stretch of imagination.
Now, red shirted jr. officer in Starfleet - that's a self-destructive job choice....
