Obviously the rates are higher. That is not a comparison. But you also aren't only susceptible to those things in military occupations.

If the only veterans you know are POGs and career guys, that's a reflection of the company you keep. Not a reflection of the 21 million veterans in America today, many of which have good things to say about the service, or don't feel any particular way about it.

I'm not advocating that every desperate person go sign a 5 year contract. I'm saying that for some people who are facing a situation of either providing for their family or not, it is not necessarily a bad decision. It doesn't gurantee they will like the work. It doesn't gurantee their saftey. But it does gurantee them a paycheck. Benefits. Housing and food allowance.

As for the benefits comparison, there is none. Very few places in the civilian work force provide full medical and dental, retirement, tuition assistance and anything like the GI Bill.