BacleTricare is shit that even Walmart employees can get better than, for not too much more, and you completely dodged how bad the VA can get about trying to deny care to vets.
Also, trips to foreign lands to work for DC is no where near the same as a civies trip to the same places (though not sure many want to go to Kosovo). This is the same BS line about 'see the world' recruiters have been pitching for decades, and it doesn't work much anymore, because people have wised up, just like with the GI Bill and VA benefits.
Plus, 400 a month for food you get little choice over, besides just not picking it up, and small food stores on base is in no way any better than what civies deal with. Civies may spend more money, in average for food, but they also get better quality and the freedom of choice in what they purchase (unless they're on WIC or Food stamps, but that's a UBI issues, not a military vs civies thing).
Then let's get into dodging on the 'shit pay vs pay doesn't matter' that you dodged, because you know it's true and you know neither argument works well for civies who are not already inclined to join.
Half the time I think you took lessons from Frank Burns on MASH and Baghdad's Bob on how to try to paper over and deflect critisism of the military.
I look at my pay, and if it wasn't for my truck payment, I would have plenty to go shopping for myself food wise in stores like the commissary, where we get food cheaper then off post most of the time, and no tax, and the like, easily having enough to save me money in the long run.
You do know going to places like Japan, Korea, Germany I an allowed to do anything I can as long as I follow local laws. While I make untaxed money to put aside for later.
I can travel to any country in the EU, and if I have NY passport, ones outside of it (With exceptions like Russia, China, countries like that).
If it wasn't for COVID I would have traveled to Japan, Taiwan, etc from Korea for cheap.
When the Army says you can explore the world, if you put yourself in the position too, you can make good money while living on base.
And the food isn't that bad. We just always talk shit.
Every base has the go to DFAC. Some are better then others.
Tricare is free and I get decent health care for people who stay in shape.
The VA is shit, nothing I can argue for them. Everyone knows tbis