Yeah I grew up in a smaller town and I know of quite few folks from HS that tried to do something else with their lives and ended up going into the military because it was that or a landscaping job or something. They were all white kids so they aren't nearly as disadvantaged as the individuals your describing. It is still extremely sad how the US military's recruitment does rely on fear of poverty and crushing debt.

I also don't have too much sympathy for the individuals that joined from my area since they're pretty damn reactionary.