Indeed, my question was vague, but I asked it not to defend the U.S. military, but the people who enlist. For many people, the military is the only option for college tuition and making a better lives for themselves. Just b/c none of us had to do it, assuming that is the case, we shouldn't judge those who do.
Just thoughts.

I agree with you on the heavy-handedness of the U.S. military. The actual number of lives they have taken in Africa in the past decade alone is probably mind-boggling.