USAF (my Career)
Guess with my having glasses, I can't say it's because I wanted to be a pilot.
It basically came to me as I hated my college life. Getting up at 6am for History (yuck) I started skipping that class, and by the end of my Freshman year, I started skipping English and Math (did good on the math tests anyways. he)
I happened to come across some buddies from the band (I was on a full ride for music . yeah I know Im stupid, but still have the offer open

) and they were in the National Guard. I sat back and looked at what the military offered, and the only local recruiter we had was for the Air Force, so I went.
I applied in May of 97, and started basic training in October of that year. Went Ok. Lost weight from 136 and gradded basic at 116 pounds Dec 4, :eek and as an E-2 because of some college.
Went to technical school at Keesler AFB, MS for Communications/Navigations repair (2A1X3) for 7 months, and started my first duty station in Late July 98, after I got married to my lovely Lisa. (no...she was my gf from home, and she waited

)
Stayed at Hurlburt AFB, FL until Feb 01, then got PCSed to Eglin AFB, FL (5 miles away

) and thats where I am now.
Orders to Edwards AFB, CA for next spring.
I did not make below-the-zone (E-4 6 months early) due to a mark down on my Enlisted Performance Report, but I did make E-5 my first time testing. For those other AF people out there, DO NOT think they are just giving the stripes away because they aren't. I've seen many airmen denied stripes even though they deserved then, while many others didn't.
Overall, I have really enjoyed my career so far. It seems that lots of people hate the military because they got a bad supervisor, or got stationed in a bad spot, so let me be one of many to tell you that you cannot base the military on one station or shop. Wait until you PCS to another base to determine how the military really works. I have seen too many great people seperate because of bad experiences, and they wonder how people can want to stay in.
There will ALWAYS be bad places for you to go, and I'm sure that some of you may already be there, but just think that there are many worse places to be stationed.
Me? It doesn't matter where I get sent. CONUS or OCONUS. Tinker, or Kunsan. It doesn't matter. I know that I have 70 more years in my life (God willing) and I khnow that I won't be stationed there forever, so I must make the most of where I am, what I have, and what difference I can make in those under me.
I plan on making my military tour a 30 year career as long as I can withstand the crap that is out there, and make a difference.
As far as benefits go, Yeah the military doesn't pay the best, but look at what you DON'T have to pay for: Medical, Dental, Housing, tax free loans inf you need them, 30 days paid vacation per year, Job security, Base Security if you live on base (post), 100% tuition assistance for school, MGI bill for school after you get out...te list goes on, and on.
So don't think that the civilian world is better...unless you already have a degree, or dont mind hard physical labor, the good paying jobs are hard to get. But there are some good ones out there, you just have to find them.